Running the Race with Grace - iBelieve TruthDo you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable wreath.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESVI feel a little like Peter. Hot and cold. Back and forth. Brilliant and not so brillian...  Read More

A Prayer to Help Us Pray Without CeasingBy Emily Rose Massey“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV).With the invention of smartphones and these (often anti) social media apps, we can now be distracted and ignore the reality in front of our faces at any given moment of every single d...  Read More

A Positive Attitude – Chuck SwindollWhen Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them. And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.” (Genesis 40:6-8)I smile as I read this, because if ...  Read More

The Faith of Ordinary Peopleby Jennifer WaddleI love how the Lord employed unlikely people to do extraordinary things. Often, the outcast was embraced, the sinner was chosen, and the “labeled” was marked by God for a divine purpose.I find it interesting that the two Israelite spies, sent by Joshua to search out the land of Jericho, went specifically to the house of Rahab the harlot. While it made ...  Read More

How to Embrace a New DayBy Aaron D’Anthony Brown“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:22-23)Attitude Begins in the MorningOn certain days, waking up in the morning feels like one of two things - a blessing or a curse. Some of us see a blessing in living another day, while others are...  Read More

Nourishment for the Soul – Alistair BeggHis delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  Psalm 1:2God’s truth will outweigh and outlive all its detractors. As the prophet Isaiah proclaims, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).As the Psalter opens, we find that the blessed person—the truly happy one—delight...  Read More

Embracing the Beauty of God's Timing - iBelieve Truth“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” - Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIVOur family was excited to eat peaches from our own tree after we transplanted a sapling peach tree in our backyard. However, the tree didn’t bloom in the spring or prod...  Read More

A Joyful Heart – Alistair BeggHannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.” 1 Samuel 2:1It is impossible to praise God too much or for our hearts to be too filled with joy at His love for His people. We should be quick to praise God when we can see His work in our own lives; but we should als...  Read More

God’s Protective Word – Alistair BeggI do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. John 17:15When Jesus prayed these words for His disciples, He prayed them aloud. And so this prayer was also an instruction to them about how to interact with the surrounding world. The life that Jesus sets forth here is one that is neither comfortably indistinguishable ...  Read More

Sunday Follow-up2 Corinthians 8 – “A biblical view of giving”When it comes to giving to the Lord financially, believers generally fall into one of several camps.One camp is comprised of those who see giving as a duty. They give because that is what Christians do. They give their ten percent because Christians are called to tithe.A second camp is comprised of those who are indifferent. They underst...  Read More

No Greater Victory – Alistair BeggThere is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1One of the perennial misconceptions about Christianity is that God views each of us as a sort of living scoreboard: one side lights up with our sins and failures, the other tallies our good deeds and victories, and so long as the good wins out in the final score, the results will b...  Read More

The Power of Proper Thinking – Alistair BeggFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8Many of us begin the day with anxious thoughts. The “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil...  Read More