Have you ever looked at the headlines and wondered, How did we get here?
Our world seems to be changing at breathtaking speed. Truth is ridiculed, evil is celebrated, and many believers wonder if there’s anything we can do to make a difference.
The first-century church faced a culture every bit as hostile to the gospel. Yet within a few decades, ordinary believers were accused of “turning the world upside down.”
How did they do it?
Was it political influence? Better marketing? Larger platforms?
No. They believed the gospel was the power of God to change hearts, and they trusted the Holy Spirit to work through ordinary people.
Today we’ll discover why the answer to our world’s deepest problems is still the same—and what God calls each of us to do while we wait for His return.
Have you ever wondered why some Christians seem drawn to teaching while others naturally encourage, organize, serve, lead, or show mercy?
Those differences aren’t accidents.
God intentionally gifts each believer differently—not to compete with one another, but to strengthen His church and spread the gospel.
But what if those different gifts even explain why sincere Christians sometimes disagree?
In today’s readings we’ll see how God used the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas to expand His kingdom instead of hindering it. We’ll also discover how to recognize the spiritual gifts God has given us and why using them is essential.
And from our Old Testament reading we’ll meet a king who faced impossible odds, yet discovered a powerful secret about prayer that every overwhelmed believer needs to remember.
What will your children be known for twenty years from now?
Will they be known for kindness or selfishness? Humility or pride? Faithfulness or compromise? Character isn’t formed overnight. It begins to reveal itself even in childhood, and Scripture reminds us that those early patterns matter.
But parenting involves far more than correcting bad behavior. God has entrusted us with preparing the next generation to understand His truth, His world, and their responsibilities before Him. That includes teaching them history, wise stewardship, civic responsibility, and above all, the gospel.
We’ll also consider another important question. As you watch what’s happening in our nation, are you simply frustrated—or are you faithfully praying? Today’s readings challenge us to think about both our homes and our country through the lens of God’s Word.
Some Christians believe He does. Others wonder why their prayers seem to go unanswered. Then there are familiar verses like, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart,” or Jesus’ promise that whatever we ask in His name, He will do.
So what do those verses really mean?
Today we’ll look at Solomon’s remarkable prayer, discover why God answered it the way He did, and learn several simple principles for interpreting Scripture that can keep us from misunderstanding some of God’s greatest promises.
How do you know if you’re making the right decision?
Most of us have heard the advice to make a list of the pros and cons. But is that enough for someone who wants to honor God? Could there be questions we’re overlooking that reveal not just what we want to do, but why we want to do it?
In today’s readings, we’ll look at four simple questions that can bring surprising clarity to life’s decisions—from everyday choices to those that can change the course of our lives.
We’ll also meet a Roman centurion whose response to Jesus can challenge us about our level of faith and trust in God.
What is the very first thing you do when trouble comes?
Do you pray? Or do you immediately begin making phone calls, researching solutions, worrying, planning, and trying to fix the problem yourself?
Most of us believe in prayer. But too often, prayer becomes our last resort instead of our first response.
In today’s reading, King Hezekiah faces a crisis so overwhelming that there is no human solution. Yet instead of panicking or relying on his own wisdom, he takes the problem straight to God.
And in the process, he demonstrates something many of us need to learn: prayer isn’t just about getting God to solve our problems. It’s about seeking His glory above all else.
Have you ever wondered, “Could God really use someone like me?”
Maybe you look at your past… your failures… your lack of knowledge or confidence—and quietly assume you don’t have much to offer.
“I don’t know enough.”
“I don’t have the right gifts.”
“I could never do anything significant for God.”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
But it may also be that your understanding of the people God uses is a little incomplete.
If your picture of the Bible comes mostly from Sunday school stories, you might remember the highlights—but miss the flaws.
Yes, David killed a giant—but he also committed adultery and arranged a man’s death.
Gideon led a miraculous victory—but struggled deeply with fear and doubt.
Jonah preached to a city—but only after running from God in rebellion.
And Samson… well, his story might challenge you more than you expect.
Because when you look closely, the Bible isn’t a collection of perfect people God used—it’s a record of imperfect people God used anyway.
No matter what the battle or who the enemy is, we are not to look at the size of the enemy, but at the size of our God! So, if you’re struggling with anxiety about everything going on in our nation and the world or with the circumstances of your life, there is a better way to process it all. Today, we’ll look at how we can refocus on the bigness of God and respond biblically.
Over the last few years, we have seen more than our share of protests. In fact, as Americans, we have a tradition of protest, and certainly, some protest is healthy.
But many of today’s protests have taken on an ugly, finger-pointing, refusal-to-even-listen-to-the-other-side tone. It’s one thing to protest genuine injustice, especially when it’s in defense of those who are least able to defend themselves, but have many of our protests turned into the kind that God will judge?
Even if we’re on the side of truth, have our attitudes toward those with whom we disagree become displeasing to the Lord? If so, what should we do and how should we respond to those who protest against, even attack, our stand for God and His righteousness?
Do you ever feel like you’re stretched too thin? Has over-commitment become a way of life for you? Do you find yourself irritable, impatient, angry, or full of stress because other people, maybe even God, seem to be standing in the way of your agenda? Could your frustration and stress come from two common problems?
