The story of Abraham offering his son as a sacrifice is one of the most debated biblical narratives throughout history, particularly from an ethical and apologetic perspective. When readers encounter the passage in the Book of Genesis where God commands Abraham to offer his son as a burnt offering, an immediate question arises: Does God require human sacrifice? And how can such a command be reconciled with the image of a loving and righteous God? Furthermore, what is the relationship between Abraham’s offering of his son and the broader biblical concept of redemption?
These questions cannot be addressed superficially or...
Pam Kanaly
1. Failing to provide a safe place.
Is your home a nontoxic environment for your child to share their deepest feelings, even if they know it will hurt your feelings? Can they tell you they don’t like your rules? Can they express that the death of their daddy makes them mad at God? Can they tell you that your remarks in front of their friends embarrasses them? Part of their healing is being able to share what’s buried under the rubble. They need to know they can tell you anything and that you will be patient and listen, not...
Michelle S. Lazurek
1. Commitment
Whether you got married in a courthouse or a church, you made a vow before God to commit yourself wholeheartedly to your spouse. When you place a wedding ring on your finger, you show the outside world that you're dedicated to your spouse. Even through difficult times, your commitment to God must be at the forefront of your marriage. Knowing this is part of God's overall destiny for your life will help you honor your commitments, even when it's difficult. The marriage relationship mirrors Christ in the church. It can be messy at times, but marriage helps...
Michelle S. Lazurek
1. Schedule It
I'm a routine person. I thrive on knowing what's coming throughout my day. If I don't have a plan for what's going on in my day, it's easy for me to get off track and get distracted with many non-essential items in my checking list. I get things off my to-do list rather than spending time with God. Schedule it in small chunks if you feel overwhelmed by having a spiritual life. You do not have to dedicate large parts of your morning or evening to devotional time if it doesn't fit your schedule. You...
Jennifer Waddle
The word lavish describes a love that is rich and abundant. It isn’t a word we use often—especially in marriage—but it paints a picture of extravagant love.
I know that most of us are too busy to put extra work or time into our relationships. But what if lavish love was less about work and more about living in the overflow? God’s overflow of love—in us—is like a fountain that never runs dry. And when we allow His love to flow through us, loving our spouses lavishly not only becomes a possibility, it becomes a way of life.
Here’s how to lavishly love...
Michelle S. Lazurek
1. Be the Example
Believe it or not, you are your children's most important model of morality. Children live what they learn. Watching parents act contrary to the Word of God can cause some great confusion as to what is right and what is wrong. It also sends the message the parents can do whatever they want. Integrity is being a good person when no one is looking. The best way to teach your children integrity and a good sense of right and wrong is within the four walls of your home. Model going the extra mile; you're...
(Psalm 110:1) stands as one of the most pivotal and frequently cited Old Testament verses in the
New Testament. Its brief yet profound declaration, "The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right
hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet,'" serves as a foundation for Christian
Christology, the doctrine of the Trinity, and the understanding of the Messiah's dual role as King
and Priest. To fully grasp its weight, one must examine its linguistic nuances, historical context,
and the transformative interpretation provided by Jesus and the early Church.
Historical and Literary Context
Traditionally attributed to King David, (Psalm 110) is classified...
Cally Logan
Joy Is the Quiet Assurance that God Is Who He Says He Is
We can find our rooted peace and joy in knowing that God is exactly who He says He is, and that is never changing. (Hebrews 13:8) reminds us that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Rick Warren once concluded and shared that “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” When we stop assigning joy to the category...
In the history of human civilization, no event has stirred as much controversy and transformation as the “Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” For the believer, it is the cornerstone upon which the entire structure of faith stands. For the historian, it is the घटना that overturned the balance of the Roman Empire. For the philosopher, it is the ultimate challenge to the concept of “death” as an inevitable end. It is not merely a religious doctrine recited in liturgies; rather, it is an “apologetic fact” that confronts the logic of the mind before it touches the depths of the heart.
First:...
Elizabeth Spencer
1. Walk before you talk.
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 3:15)
Last summer, when my family and I were at a lake cottage we're grateful to be able to use, I came inside in the middle of the day and found my swimsuit-clad teenager sitting at the dining room table doing her devotions. What struck me most about the scene was that in the foreground was a pile of my husband's devotional books and his own Bible.
My girls grew up seeing their dad read...
