MissionLife

It's confusing. It's so long - where do I begin? Which translation is the best? If you've ever had these thoughts about the Bible, you're not alone. It can feel overwhelming, but God has a very real message for you in the Bible, which is the story of his love for humanity. Take its words and digest them.

Prayer can feel intimidating. How do I talk to God? Why would he ever want to listen to me? The truth is, God longs to hear from us and to speak to our hearts. It's not about what we say, it's about the relationship.

Culture constantly tells us that our story is all about us. We're the focus, and we take priority. But what if life isn't all about us? Jesus commands us to go and make disciples, which takes my story and makes it our story. Let's learn how to grow together.

The word "church" evokes polarizing responses within us. Some have wonderful memories of church while others harbor much hurt and resentment. What does church mean to you? Has church made you feel included or rejected? Let's examine both the Church Universal and the local church through the lens of God's love.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Yet, we can distort faith and make it something less than what God intended. When we examine our faith, we find that there's more to believing than just going through the motions.

Take time for yourself, indulge, you deserve it. Sound familiar? We hear these messages from media every day, but Jesus invites us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him. When we exercise self-control, we exemplify the Fruit of the Spirit.

In social circles, religious and not, outrage always has the loudest voice in the room. Yet, gentleness is a Fruit of the Spirit. How did Jesus respond to a traitor, a denying coward, and a betraying backstabber? Gentleness.

At a time when we are inundated with daily uncertainty, it's no surprise that anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. Whether you have personally experienced the grip of a mental stronghold in your life, or know someone who has, it can be consuming. Yet, there is incredible hope and resilience in Jesus Christ.

What do you put your faith in? Where does your faith lie? The question of faith is not whether it exists but where it has been placed. Faith can be self-focused or Spirit-inspired. Let's choose to be led by the Spirit and allow our faith to be less and less about us.

Kindness may be displayed without faith. Goodness can be intentioned without kindness. The crossroads of our spiritual journey merges the intention of goodness with the action of kindness. When these two concepts align, the Kingdom advances and the cause of Christ is carried out.

Culture teaches us to expect and demand instant gratification, to receive the desires of our heart the moment that the seed of desire takes shape. God teaches us that patience develops our character and that the best lessons can be learned through waiting.

Have you ever felt like you were the only one struggling with a problem? This week CWC heard from a missionary family, a young adult, and a group of teens about their struggles and how God is working in their lives. Do you hear yourself in their stories?

Can I be a good father? Am I allowed to ask for help? How will I know if I'm doing a good job? Our role as parents may sometimes seem impossible, but God provides the example and the resources to not only raise our children, but to show them the love of our Father.

Is your joy and peace only external, or does it bubble up from deep within you? True joy and peace comes from a source beyond ourselves, found in a meaningful relationship with God. Let's stop acting and start abiding.