Understanding God as our Heavenly Father: Lessons from the Prodigal Son

The story of the Prodigal Son offers us one of the most powerful illustrations of God’s fatherly love in Scripture. While Father’s Day can bring mixed emotions for many—from celebration to pain—there’s a universal truth we can all embrace: we have a Heavenly Father whose love transcends our earthly experiences. What Makes God’s Fatherly Love … Read more

The Spiritual Practice of Tithing: More Than Just Money

When we think about tithing and giving, it’s easy to view it as simply a financial transaction or an obligation. But what if tithing is actually more like physical therapy for our spiritual lives? Physical therapy isn’t fun—it’s difficult, sometimes painful, and requires discipline. Yet ultimately, it brings healing and strength. In the same way, … Read more

Church Explained: Why Prayer Matters

Prayer is one of the most fundamental practices of the Christian faith, yet many of us struggle with it. We may wonder if our prayers really matter, if we’re doing it right, or if God truly hears us. The truth is that prayer is not just a religious ritual—it’s the primary way we communicate with … Read more

Preaching: More than Just a TED Talk

In our churches today, there’s often a temptation to turn sermons into something like TED Talks – interesting, motivational speeches designed to make us feel good. But is that really what preaching is supposed to be? When we gather on Sundays, the sermon shouldn’t just be about a charismatic speaker sharing motivational thoughts. True biblical … Read more

The Power of Small Offerings: A Mother’s Legacy of Faith

Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest impact. This truth is beautifully illustrated through the story of a widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7, who demonstrates how God can transform our smallest offerings into miracles when given in faith. What Was the Widow’s Crisis? A widow approached the prophet Elisha in desperate circumstances. Her husband … Read more

Finding Direction After Life-Changing Events: Lessons from Jesus’s Disciples

When our world gets turned upside down, we often find ourselves asking “What now?” The disciples faced this exact question after experiencing the whirlwind of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. Their response and Jesus’s guidance provide valuable lessons for navigating uncertain times. How Do We Handle Major Life Changes? After Jesus’s resurrection, the disciples were processing … Read more

The Tomb is (Still) Empty

The Power of the Empty Tomb: How Easter Changes Everything The resurrection of Jesus represents more than just a historical event – it’s a transformative moment that continues to impact lives today. The empty tomb serves as the foundation of Christian faith and provides lasting significance for believers and seekers alike. What Happened on That … Read more

The caption Peter Didn't Stay in Shame against a multi-colored painted background.

Peter Didn’t Stay in Shame

An Easter Week Devotion by Barbara Baker Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about … Read more