Articles

Why John Wrote His Gospel The Gospel of John was written to help you see who Jesus really is, trust Him, and begin to experience the true life found in His name. John carefully selected a few of Jesus’ signs, like turning water into wine and raising Lazarus, so that people with real questions and shaky faith could come to know Him with deeper trust and confidence. Near the end of his book, John pulls back the curtain and tells us exactly what he’s doing. In John 20:30–31 he writes, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Think about that for a moment. John is not trying to give us a full biography of Jesus. He knows he is being selective. In fact, he says that if everything Jesus did were written down, the whole world wouldn’t have room for all the books. Instead, John is carefully sharing the stories that matter most for one clear reason: to lead you to Jesus and into life.

When Your Life Feels Like a Spiritual Wilderness When life feels like a wilderness, Isaiah 51 reminds us that God meets us in the hardest places, brings new life to what seems hopeless, and gives us lasting hope through His promises. And baptism points us to our union with Christ and assures us of His presence, even when life remains difficult. You may not describe your life as a “wilderness,” but you may recognize the feeling. Maybe you’re dealing with exhaustion that won’t let up, financial pressure that keeps you awake, or health concerns for yourself or someone you love. Perhaps the future you once imagined now feels uncertain or out of reach. Isaiah 51 speaks directly to moments like these.

Unforgettable Glory: Why the Transfiguration Still Matters The transfiguration of Jesus reminds us that Christian faith is grounded in something real, not just an inspiring story. In 2 Peter 1:16–18, Peter says he personally saw Christ’s glory and heard the Father’s voice. That means ordinary believers like us can build our lives on something solid, even when life feels unsteady. When Peter writes these words, he seems to be near the end of his ministry and likely facing death under Roman rule. But what stands out is that his focus is not on protecting himself. He is thinking about us. In 2 Peter 1:12–15, he wants to keep reminding believers of the truth so they can hold onto it even after he is gone. That picture feels familiar because we forget so easily.

Scripture in Our Own Language is a Gift We Easily Overlook Having the Bible in our own language means we get to hear God speak in words we actually use, letting Scripture shape both our hearts and our everyday lives. Christians once risked their jobs, their homes, and even their lives so ordinary people, such as farmers, merchants, and children, could know Christ through words they could truly understand. If you grew up with a shelf full of Bibles, or even just a Bible app on your phone, it can be hard to imagine what it would be like to sit through worship in a language you barely understand. But for centuries, that was the experience of most Christians. Prayers were spoken, Scripture was read, and the sacraments were celebrated in Latin, while many worshippers quietly said their own prayers and listened for the bells that marked the most sacred moments of the service.

What the Bible Means by the Right Hand of God The right hand of God gives us a beautiful picture of his power, care, and presence, all centered on Jesus. It shows us where Jesus is right now, honored, exalted, and still at work for his people, so you can live each day knowing you are never alone and never forgotten. In John 5:39, Jesus says, “Search the Scriptures…they are they which testify of me.” And when you follow the phrase “right hand of God” through the Bible, which is more than fifty times, you start to see that it keeps leading you back to Jesus. Scripture is not inviting us into random facts or Bible trivia. It is inviting us to know him personally.

What Jesus Meant by Seed Among Thorns in Our World Today The seed among thorns points to people who really do hear God’s Word and start to grow in faith, but then find themselves slowly crowded by worries, money pressures, and everyday distractions until their lives don’t feel very spiritually fruitful anymore. Jesus isn’t scolding or shaming here; He’s helping us understand why sincere hearts can end up feeling squeezed and stuck instead of free. In Matthew 13, Jesus explains that the seed among thorns is “the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” Your heart is like soil; something is always growing there. So, the question isn’t, “Am I growing?” but rather, “What am I growing?”

Why Understanding the Gospel Matters More Than You Think When Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, He begins with seed that falls along a hard path and is quickly eaten by birds. In this message, that picture isn’t meant as a final verdict on “hard-hearted people,” but as a kind warning about what can happen when we hear God’s word and simply don’t understand it. This parable is not a year‑end report card, but an opening check‑in at the start of the school year. The field isn’t cultivated yet. There are still paths, stones, birds, and thorns everywhere.

Understanding Jesus' Future The Bible offers a rich tapestry of prophecies and teachings about the future of Jesus. From Old Testament promises to New Testament revelations, we see a steady, reassuring message: Jesus’ future is both promised and certain. In Micah 6, the prophet reminds us of God’s enduring purposes for His people, calling us to live with justice, mercy, and humility. In the New Testament, especially in passages like 1 Corinthians 15, we’re invited to rejoice in Christ’s victory, His resurrection, His ascension, and His promised return to judge the living and the dead. As we spend time in these Scriptures, we begin to see that Jesus’ future is not a distant idea but a living, active reality. Even now, He is at work, seated at the right hand of the Father, praying for us, leading His church, and gently guiding us toward a glorious future with Him. This scriptural hope reminds us that Jesus’ future is filled with joy, purpose, and God’s faithful promises coming to fruition.

The Historical Why: Arius, Alexander, and the Council of Nicaea To understand the “why” behind the Nicene Creed, we begin with the story of Arius, a priest in Alexandria around 318 AD. Arius was a gifted teacher—tall, thin, severe in appearance, and popular among both clergy and laypeople. His teachings, designed to make worship and witness simpler, claimed that Jesus was not eternal, not of the same substance as God the Father, and was forever subordinate to Him.

The Context and Importance of the Letter to the Colossians The New Testament Letter to the Colossians is an encouraging part of Christian teaching, filled with wisdom that speaks to our hearts today. Written by the Apostle Paul, this letter was meant to uplift the early Christians in Colossae, reassuring them to hold on to their faith, even when times got tough. As we explore the background of this letter, we discover not just historical details, but living words that are just as meaningful for us now as they were then. Paul’s message continues to inspire, guiding us on our own spiritual journeys and connecting us as a community of believers.