In December 2004, an earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean created the deadliest series of tsunamis in history. How helpless the people on higher ground must have felt! They had the perspective to see the disaster coming, yet there was nothing they could do. Perhaps that sense of helpless grief is…
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When Your Whole World Collapses, Part 2
As we grow up, we all develop a sense of eagerness to reach certain stages of life. But what happens if those dreams are interrupted? It can be very difficult, even depressing. The prophet Ezekiel provides an excellent example of what to do when our hopes are postponed.
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When Your Whole World Collapses, Part 1
The clash of weapons and the shout of warriors fill the opening scenes of the book of Daniel. Some of God’s people were led from the city of Jerusalem in chains, many of them young men of the royal family. Certainly this was not their expected destiny.
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Five Ways to Grow, Part 5: Grow Spiritually
One day Jesus told a parable about a man who scatters seed on the ground, then simply goes about his daily routine. Mysteriously, as he sleeps by night and rises by day, the seed sprouts and grows, even though “he himself does not know how” (Mk. 4:27). The Lord presented…
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Five Ways to Grow, Part 4: Grow Physically
The apostle John wrote to his friend Gaius, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 Jn. 1:2 NKJV). Even though Gaius was doing fine spiritually, it seems he had some physical concerns. John’s realism about the subject shows…
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Five Ways to Grow, Part 3: Grow Relationally
One of the most unusual verses of the Bible is Luke 2:52: "Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." How could it be that He increased in favor with His neighbors in Nazareth? Was He imperfect in some way when He was younger?…
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Five Ways to Grow, Part 2: Grow Financially
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.” -Proverbs 6:6 Our focus in this series is on Christian growth. Previously we looked at the importance of growing morally, and now we add the valuable message that we should grow financially, too. The word “consider” in the…
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Five Ways to Grow, Part 1: Grow Morally
When children see the doctor for a check-up, one of the first things the medical staff does is measure their height and weight. If there is no growth, something is wrong, and a lack of growth is often an early indicator of a more serious health concern. As God’s children,…
