Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse shares his experience with a terminal cancer diagnosis and how it has shaped his faith, emphasizing the importance of living intentionally and prioritizing relationships with God and family. He discusses the concept of suffering as a means of spiritual growth and the need to stay faithful in the face of adversity. [... more]

Former Senator Ben Sass shares his poignant thoughts on life, death, and eternity as he faces a terminal diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer. He discusses how his faith in Christ has given him peace and perspective, and how he's learning to trust God's plan despite the difficulties he's facing. He also talks about the importance of ordering one's loves correctly, and how Christians can respond to the challenges of social media and the culture around them with the fruit of the Spirit. [... more]

William Cooper, a famous English poet, struggled with mental illness throughout his life, including depression, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts. Despite his struggles, he found comfort and strength in his faith and the gospel, writing many hymns that are still sung today. His story highlights the importance of understanding that personal frailties do not signify God's displeasure and that faith can provide a guided tour through suffering. [... more]

The Bible teaches that unjust suffering is a reality for believers, and it's essential to understand how to respond to it. Joseph's story in Genesis 40 shows that he, like Jesus, experienced unjust suffering, but he didn't retaliate or seek revenge. Instead, he trusted in God's providence and took initiative to change his circumstances. The apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 2 that suffering, especially unjust suffering, is a normal part of following Jesus, and it's essential to recognize that it's not a strange misfortune, but rather a test of our faith. [... more]

A pastor shares his personal experience with severe nerve pain, learning to depend on God and find strength in weakness, and applying the lessons of 2 Corinthians to his own struggles. [... more]

Hannah's example of prayer and perseverance teaches us to seek God's will in times of difficulty, even when our emotions and frailty try to consume us. We learn from her that prayer invites God's will into our lives and that we should not give up, even if we don't see immediate results. By pouring out our hearts to God and seeking His guidance, we can find hope and effectiveness in the midst of adversity. [... more]

Hannah, a woman struggling with infertility and pain, finds comfort and strength in her faith and obedience to God. Despite her emotional turmoil, she continues to pray and worship, ultimately giving birth to a son named Samuel. This story serves as an example of how God works in our lives, even in the midst of difficulty and uncertainty, and how we can learn to trust in His plan and character. [... more]

Rich Powell explores the concept of genuine authority in the context of the apostle Paul's experience, discussing how Paul's apostolic authority was challenged and how he responded with humility and a focus on sharing the gospel. [... more]

Paul's sacrificial ministry and spiritual authority are rooted in his confidence in God's call, which led him to endure hardships and persecution. As Christians, we are called to serve God and others, even in the midst of suffering, just as Jesus did. True ministry is not about personal comfort or control, but about being willing to get messy and serve others for the sake of the Gospel. [... more]

Paul's ministry is a portrait of sacrificial service, where he identifies with people in their messy lives and points them to Jesus. He boasts in his weakness, not his accomplishments, and finds confidence in God's sustaining power. This is the nature of spiritual authority, where fulfilling God's call is fundamental and ease and comfort are peripheral. [... more]

Jonathan's friendship with David shows the importance of forgiveness and understanding. Meanwhile, the church plays a vital role in helping those in crisis, and Christians must speak up against anti-Semitism. God's control over our lives and our hope in Him are essential for a fulfilling life, and we must focus on living for His glory. [... more]

James warns against the peril of presumption, urging us to recognize our human frailty and dependence on God, rather than relying solely on our own ability to make plans. He emphasizes the importance of humility and the transience of life, reminding us that our ignorance of the future is a matter of fact, and that we should be glad for it, as it prevents us from becoming arrogant and proud. [... more]

The Christian struggle with indwelling sin is a universal experience, as Paul describes in Romans 7, where he laments the conflict between his desire to obey God's law and his sinful nature. This struggle is not a sign of spiritual weakness, but rather a sign of spiritual growth, as believers learn to yield to the Spirit and overcome their fleshly desires. [... more]

Alistair Begg teaches six lessons about the importance of knowing Jesus as both Savior and Friend, emphasizing that following Jesus does not insulate from life's storms, and that Jesus understands our weaknesses and is no stranger to our predicaments. [... more]