A proliferation of ideas about heaven has evolved over the centuries. Few of these notions come from a careful study of Scripture, yet they persistently manifest in movies, music, art and popular culture. Christians must be vigilant not to allow others' imaginings to influence their understanding of what God has revealed in the Bible. After all, the Lord promised: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35)....

Everyone goes through the valley of despair at one time or another. While this quote comes from an 1845 romantic novel, The Two Daughters by William Harrison Ainsworth, it’s a timeless adage we can all identify with. Circumstances in life can create a downward spiral where we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. For a believer struggling with doubt, disillusionment, or despair, building trust back into a relationship with God is the challenge at hand....

According to numerous research and surveys, we are in a period of what is often called "the great disestablishment." The percentage of people who claim no religion has risen considerably. In a Pew survey conducted in 34 different countries during 2012-2014, they found that for the first time in human history one fifth of the world’s population is religiously unaffiliated (Pew Research Center, October 1, 2015). There have been similar reports from other respected institutions such as the Barna Group and PIPO Research (2017)....

Throughout Christian history, there have been many important groups that have emphasized love and care for those in need. In the early Church, this was especially evident through the deacon system, whereby men were entrusted with meeting physical needs of members as well as others within the community, particularly widows and orphans. While the role of deacons has evolved over time, the biblical mandate to provide for the poor and vulnerable remains a deeply rooted part of Christianity today....

There is a fine line that we must walk on in order to take care of ourselves, without treading into the realm of self-centeredness and neglecting others. This article will explore the often misunderstood and misconstrued concept of self-care and offer suggestions for achieving a healthy balance in our lives. While God commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to have care and compassion for others (Mark 12:30; Galatians 6:2), He also created us with real needs....

A lingering sense of guilt can plague a Christian's heart, causing doubt, despair, and even rebellion against God. This is no light matter and needs to be addressed for true spiritual health and growth. This article will examine how guilt can creep in, often due to misunderstanding the great biblical paradigms of God's grace and our freedom in Christ. We will then work through some solutions, grounded in truth from Scripture, that help to restore our joyful trust in the Savior....

As believers, we've received the wonderful gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). This doesn't mean that once saved, we are automatically living the most fulfilling lives. Our Christian walk is a lifelong process of growth, learning, and choosing how to live our lives in honor of God (2 Corinthians 3:18). One way to examine whether or not we're building our lives on biblical foundations, is to evaluate what we base our worth and identity upon....