One of the greatest misconceptions about relationships is that healthy relationships never struggle. That simply is not true. Even strong marriages experience difficult seasons. This weekend, our nation celebrates 250 years of independence. Two hundred and fifty years ago, freedom was won through tremendous sacrifice. But history teaches us that winning freedom and preserving freedom…
One of the things that we struggle with today is impatience. Nobody wants to wait anymore. We want fast food, instant downloads, same-day shipping, and immediately answers. And unfortunately, many people approach love the same way. Culture teaches us that if you feel it, follow it. If you want it, pursue it immediately. Your emotions…
“Draw me away!” — Song of Solomon 1:4 One of the greatest dangers in any relationship is not usually conflict. It is more of a drift. Few couples wake up one day and decide to become distant. More often, distance develops gradually through neglect, busyness, and routine. The same can happen in our walk with…
“My beloved is mine, and I am his.” Song of Solomon 2:16 Growing up in church, I’ve had the opportunity to hear hundreds of sermons. I have noticed, however, that certain passages or books have been ignored or skipped over by preachers. One of these books is found in the Old Testament. The Song of…
“Then He said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23 Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. In fact, He told His disciples that true discipleship requires self-denial, daily surrender, and faithful obedience. To deny ourselves means…
“Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 Among all the pieces of God’s armor, the sword is the only offensive weapon. Paul identifies this sword as the Word of God. It is powerful, living, and able to cut through lies and darkness. Jesus showed us how to use this…
“Take the helmet of salvation…” Ephesians 6:17 A helmet protects the head—the place of our thoughts, fears, doubts, and decisions. Paul reminds believers that salvation is not only about where we will spend eternity; it is also protection for our minds today. The primary battlefield is your thought life. Unchecked thoughts become beliefs, then habits,…
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:16 Faith is not abstract; faith is more than believing God exists—it is trusting Him when life feels uncertain. In Paul’s description of the armor of God, the shield of faith…
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 In Ephesians 6:15, the Apostle Paul writes about putting on “the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” as part of the armor of God. He describes it like shoes—something we wear every day, something that…
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians…