“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26 Throughout scripture, we learn there are different ways to pray. Intercessory prayer, for example, is the deepest and most unselfish form of prayer. This type of prayer is characterized by terms such as “wrestling in prayer”, “groaning that can’t be uttered”, and “fervent, agonizing prayer.” The word intercession means, “to come between,” or “to interpose on behalf of someone else”. An individual who is engaged…
If you have ever been to Canal Street in New York City, you will find a plethora of fake merchandise—anything from a faux Gucci bag, to a fake Rolex to Chanel purses with backward C’s on the pleather exterior. Many people do not care about authenticity anymore, plus it costs so much more to pay for designer prices, right? When a designer puts their own name on a product, it’s a stamp of quality and excellence. Tiffany & Co is named after its founder, Charles Tiffany, and has become the go-to jewelry store for the affluent and famous. Louis Vuitton was a French designer who led in quality leather products, which are sought after today. Guccio Gucci was an Italian fashion designer who built a world-renowned fashion empire. The problem with Canal Street and every other outlet that sells fake merchandise is that it devalues the original. There is an ambivalence about counterfeit items or a counterfeit lifestyle because the “real thing” will cost more than many people are willing to pay. Counterfeits thrive because they resemble the real thing; the same goes for being a Christian. There are a lot of people in this world who proclaim to be…
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” 1 Peter 1:20 (NIV) Before God spoke light into darkness, named every star, and formed humanity, He already had a plan—a plan of redemption (Gen. 1:3; Ps. 147:4; Gen. 1:27). From the very beginning, God was not distant; He was intentional. His love was not reactive—it was predetermined. God demonstrates His closeness to us through His infinite love by stepping into humanity Himself. Jesus is not just a moment in history—He is the long-awaited promise fulfilled, the Messiah revealed. One of my favorite glimpses of this truth is found in Luke 2:22–40. In this passage, we see Joseph and Mary faithfully upholding the Law of Moses through Jesus’ circumcision and their offering (Luke 2:21, 24). But tucked within this moment is a quiet detail that speaks volumes—the offering of turtledoves reveals their economic reality. They could not afford a lamb. And yet, this is where it gets powerful. Because Jesus is our perfect Savior, it’s easy to forget that He did not come through what we would consider a “perfect” life. He wasn’t born into wealth, status, or privilege. He didn’t…
When I was a teenager, I worked at a shoe store. It was, without question, the best job ever. I received 50% off regular stock, and the discount still applied to items already on sale. In other words, it was a teenager’s dream. Let’s say I owned a lot of shoes—easily more than fifty pairs. Honestly, if shoe ownership were a spiritual gift, I would have been operating in my calling. One day, I was helping a mother pick out a pair of running shoes for her little boy. She finally found the perfect pair, and they headed downstairs toward…
For as long as I can remember, I have been mesmerized by the night’s sky; star-struck in the truest sense. I bought my own telescope when I was 20 years old, and was even part of an astronomy club at one point in my life. When I drive in the country and see the Milky Way above me, I feel the grandeur of God and am in awe of His vastness. He is so great, and yet, chooses to care for each one of us with such tender care. Genesis 1:16 states, “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule by day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” My dad pointed this scripture out to me when I was growing up, and it has become one of my favorite scriptures because it demonstrates the majesty of God. The simple phrase, “He made the stars also,” is humorous to me because it’s mentioned as a side note. It is like God is saying, “No biggie. Just trillions of stars I created too.” The Vastness of our Creator Until Galileo invented the telescope, astronomers believed there were only fifteen hundred stars in…
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Perfection. When I say the word, another quickly comes to mind: impossible. While I may be blind to some of my faults, I recognize enough of my shortcomings to realize that I am a long way from achieving perfection. That realization causes me to wonder if God is commanding me to be something that may be impossible to achieve. THE KEY TO PERFECTION Perfection does not come from our own efforts. It is not within our power to attain this alone. Job said, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse” (Job 9:20). Nor did Old Testament law bring perfection. Hebrews 7:19 says, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” From this we find that the key to perfection is “the better hope.” God’s Spirit operating in our lives gives us the power to grow into His likeness, to take on His flawless character. “For he hath made him to be sin for us,…