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Many people in the world don't believe that God exists, or that He loves them, or that they can have joy or peace or contentment in this life. And when people call themselves Christians and don't demonstrate love or peace or contentment, they just confirm the fears of the watching world. That's why the apostle Peter urges us as believers to dedicate ourselves to growing in our faith as he continues his letter. To let the world know that God can be there for them too.

"There is wonderful joy ahead." Peter encourages his readers with this at the start of the first of his two letters. And it's a hope worth holding on to while we remain on this earth. Peter reminds us that we can endure whatever comes our way in God's strength, and that by doing so, we'll be declaring God's greatness to a world in need of a Savior.

At the heart of sin is self-centeredness. And so any quest for peace, must start with ourselves. As we conclude our look at James we'll be challenged to consider when we might be the cause of any of the troubles and trials that surround us. And we'll be reminded of the immeasurable peace we can all find in our relationship with Christ.

As believers, we need to be aware that our salvation is not based on our actions: it is based solely on God's measureless love. And yet our actions do speak volumes to others about the One we claim to love. James challenges us to think carefully about how we speak to others and urges us to honor God in all we say.

It's no secret that life presents many challenges to all of us. But what may surprise you is to learn that it is possible to grow and even rejoice in our trials. That's the message James brings to us in the opening verses of his book. He'll also remind us that the way we handle our struggles can be a powerful witness to a watching world.

In a world with constantly changing standards of success and acceptance, it should be a relief to hear that God's standards never change. As we conclude our study of Hebrews we'll be reminded that because of God's unchanging love, we can confidently declare His name to a world looking for love.

Faith isn't just something you hold inside and keep to yourself. True faith is shown in your actions. And a demonstrated faith in God is a powerful witness to the world. So, in Hebrews chapter 11, the author takes a moment to remind us of many people from the Bible who didn't just have faith, they lived faith.

It can be disheartening to invest a lot of time and effort into helping someone else grow and not see any immediate results. But the author of Hebrews tells us to stay strong! The Christian life is lived by faith, but not a faith of vague hopes and wishes. It's a faith founded on the sure promises of God.

It's hard to understate the power of a strong community of believers. And if you've ever been encouraged or supported by a brother or sister in Christ at a crucial moment in your life, you've experienced this power. Join with us as we continue in Hebrews and consider ways we can be an encouragement to others.

Things changed about spiritual life between the Old and New Testaments. The Israelites used to have an elaborate system of sacrifices they needed to follow to stay right with God. But we don't do things like that anymore. Find out today why Jesus' sacrifice was superior enough to introduce us to the New Covenant between God and man.

The Book of Hebrews is a great place to turn to learn more about the doctrines that define our faith. As we continue our study we'll see how it's possible that Jesus is able to offer salvation. And we'll be reminded that just like Jesus, our salvation is forever.

How would you rate your spiritual maturity? The Bible speaks of this in terms of the foods we're able to eat. Are you only able to drink milk like an infant, or have you moved on to more substantial matters, the solid food of spiritual life? Find out more about how to grow spiritually as we continue our study.

As we continue in Hebrews we'll cover a rich passage of the Bible with two of the most important truths for us to know. The Bible is God's Word and is a powerful resource in our lives. And Jesus, far from being a distant and aloof God, lived as a man and can sympathize with us in all our weaknesses. Praise God with us as we study some more.

Do you believe that God can do what He has promised? He is not only able to save you as you trust in Jesus but also provides the Holy Spirit to help you live a life of spiritual victory. Find out more about this victory and the "rest" God promises as we continue our study of Hebrews.

As the author of Hebrews continues, he provides an insight that has been a comfort to many believers over the centuries. Jesus, while being God, lived a life just like us, experiencing all the hardships and trials we face. Join us as we consider Jesus, our sympathetic Savior.

The message of salvation is something that most of us have heard many times over during our lives. But in the days after Jesus returned to heaven, it was breaking news. The author of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of this message and of why it's a message that cannot be ignored.

Though the writer of the Book of Hebrews is unknown, and though it was written for a Jewish audience familiar with Jewish history and theology, this is a rich portion of the Bible that cannot be overlooked! In this passage we'll see how Jesus is more than just a great teacher, He's God in the flesh and superior even to the angels.

As Paul finishes his short, but important, letter to his friend Philemon, he mentions another friend named Onesimus. In something of a plot twist for us modern readers, we learn that Onesimus is a runaway slave and once belonged to Philemon. Paul's recommendation to his friends has a lesson for us all to learn.

The apostle Paul wrote a short but important letter to his friend Philemon. In this letter Paul asks for a personal favor, but before he gets to that, he reminds us of the familial obligations we have towards each other as believers. And then Paul introduces us to Onesimus and talks of the friendship he shared with him.

In any group, there will always be troublemakers. And as he brings his letter to a close, Paul gives Titus some advice on how to deal with disruptive people in the church. We'll also be reminded of God's generous mercy available to all without condition.

If a friend told you they went through a life-changing experience, and then their life didn't change, was the experience really all that great? These are the kinds of people Paul has in mind as he continues his letter to Titus. Instead, he argues that our lives should be overflowing with the grace of Jesus, both in the private and public areas of our lives.

There's an old saying that goes, "those that can't do, teach." But when it comes to the Christian life, we should all be doing both. We teach the next generation best by living out our Christian ideal and morals. Paul encourages us to live a godly life as he continues his letter to Titus.

Life, in general, is hard for anyone to navigate alone. The Christian life is doubly challenging. That's why Paul in his letters, time and again, reminds us of the necessity of discipling and mentoring each other. It's only when we are working together that we can stand strong against the lies that try to infiltrate the church.

Are you spending time in God's Word to learn how he wants you to live? Paul begins a new letter, this time to a pastor named Titus. As he opens his letter, Paul emphasizes the importance of living a godly life. And this can only come from knowing God's Word.