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Finding Strength in Your Church Community

Jay HewittBy Jay Hewitt

Editor’s Note: After receiving a devastating brain cancer diagnosis, Jay Hewitt made the momentous decision to compete in an IRONMAN triathlon while undergoing cancer treatment. This post, adapted from his book I Am Weak, I Am Strong, talks about the courage he found from a supportive community of believers to press on as he prepared for the 140.6-mile race.

This is how IRONMAN’s historic, first-ever full-distance and virtual triathlon worked: athletes from all over the world would register with IRONMAN for the race, download the official app, and sync it with an approved sports watch that would track distance, elevation, speed, and time.

It was each athlete’s responsibility to plan their own 140.6-mile course, taking into account both traffic and elevation change; essentially, you couldn’t plan a downhill course. Also, each athlete would have to figure out how to set up aid stations along the way so they could refill their water bottles and grab some nutrition.

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This Thanksgiving: A Word to Live…And Die By

By Ann VoskampAnn Voskamp

Eucharist [thanksgiving] is the state of the perfect man.

Eucharist is the life of paradise. Eucharist is the

only full and real response of man to God’s creation,

redemption, and gift of heaven.

Alexander Schmemann

The face of Jesus flashes. Jesus, the God-Man with His own termination date. Jesus, the God-Man who came to save me from prisons of fear and guilt and depression and sadness. With an expiration of less than twelve hours, what does Jesus count as all most important?

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The Inescapable Problem of Pain

Ed and Lisa YoungBy Ed and Lisa Young

The problem of pain is perhaps the most profound question many of us raise against Christianity. How could a good God—a loving God—allow so much pain and suffering in the world?

All God would have to do is move the geological plates a few inches and we wouldn’t have tsunamis or earthquakes. All he would have to do is eradicate the cells that attack our bodies and cause cancer and other horrendous diseases. Why doesn’t he do those things? Why doesn’t God stop it all? How can we trust God, considering how painful life is? How could our pain have any significance?

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How to Live Mindful of Heaven Today

By Dr. David JeremiahDr. David Jeremiah

As followers of Christ, we are offered the promise of heaven: a glorious home for believers of all generations to be united with the Father and each other. To imagine the beauty, peace, and majesty of heaven is a wonderful mental activity, as we turn our minds away from the pain and tribulation of this world and dwell on the joy to come in God’s realm.

At the same time, Christians are not called to spend their days only looking upward. Though we should set our minds on “things above” (Colossians 3:2), what about our responsibilities to God and each other today?

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Zondervan releases two new Bibles designed to help men and women navigate today’s challenges

Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce the release of two New International Version (NIV) Bibles designed to help men and women navigate the challenges of today’s society – Flourish – The NIV Bible for Women and Rooted – The NIV Bible for Men.

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Water Into Wine: The Hidden Lesson in Jesus’ First Miracle

By Rabbi Jason SobelRabbi Jason Sobel

In John 2:1-12, we see Jesus (Yeshua) performing his first miracle at a wedding in Cana. The host ran out of wine, and at his mother’s prompting, Jesus asked the servants to fill six water jars with water. When the master of the banquet tasted the water, it had been turned into the finest wine.

At first, this miracle may not seem too important in comparison to some of Jesus’s other miracles, but Jewish weddings are something to behold. The fact that the Messiah’s first miracle occurred during a wedding points to the abundance and blessing that come from our relationship with the Messiah Yeshua. His changing the water into wine was not merely a random act of kindness; rather, it reflected and metaphorically fulfilled the many Old Testament scriptures that speak of God’s people, the proverbial bride, and the Bridegroom to come—Jesus himself.

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What the Bible Says About Your Identity in Christ

Hosanna Wong

By Hosanna Wong

What names are you answering to? It’s easy to forget who we are in the midst of life’s struggles. But, as believers, we can trust what the Bible tells us about our identity in Christ, and how we should live in light of those truths. Today’s post from bestselling author Hosanna Wong will explore some of those key identity Scriptures, offering insight and encouragement by unpacking nine names God calls us.

God knew that throughout our lives we’d be told lies about who we are and who we are not. Our Creator’s words show us who we were created to be, and who we have always been. Remember, no one has the power to define you but the One who created you. And the names God calls you may be very different from the other names you’ve been told.

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What is the Presence of God?

By Susie LarsonSusie Larson

What is the presence of God? Christians often talk about “seeking God’s presence” or praying for God “to be present with us in this place.” But what exactly does that mean?

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” It’s in God’s presence that we find the fullness of joy. And, as Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, “The joy of the Lord is [our] strength.” It’s in God’s presence where we receive correction, direction, comfort, and assurance. God’s presence brings clarity to our confusion, hope in place of despair. Continue reading

Friendship Will Make or Break Your Life

Justin Whitmel Earley: Isolation may be the norm of modern life, but it does not have to be the story of your life. Learn to foster life-giving friendships.By Justin Whitmel Earley

I often think about the beginning of the world.

You may think that’s a bit strange, but I think you should try it. It goes like this:

One day God is being quintessential God, making things from nothing, and he’s doing it with his covenant friends—the Son and the Holy Spirit.

To imagine it right, you have got to see that they all think this whole creation thing is a spectacularly grand idea. It won’t be without hiccups, they know, but they are providentially confident it will turn out to be a smashing success.
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Unlock the Depths of Scripture with 4 core Bible study tools

Bible Gateway is the online Bible tool. For 30 years we’ve made the Bible available for free, and accessible to anyone who wants to read the Bible. It is the backbone of our faith, and we encourage even deeper Bible study to grow your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Studying the Bible, with the right tools, deepens understanding of God’s Word, providing insight into how to live your life.

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