“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1 John begins his Gospel with the same phrase we find in the Greek version of Genesis: En archē, “In the beginning.” He begins this way on purpose. Just as the beginning of Genesis tells the story of creation, climaxing in the creation of humankind as God’s image-bearers (see Genesis 1:27), John intends to tell the story of new creation and humanity’s redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. Whereas Genesis tells the story of humans falling into sin and darkness, John 1 promises that there is a light in the darkness (see vv. 4–5), bringing life and hope into a hopeless world. That light is Jesus Christ. John 1:1 introduces Jesus as the “Word.” God spoke creation into being by the power of his word (see Genesis 1:3), and Jesus Christ is the living Word, the Word made flesh (see John 1:14). This means that Jesus is the true expression of God. Jesus is not merely a human prophet to whom God gave important messages and teachings. No, Jesus is the full Word of God in human form. John 1:1 reminds us that the existence of God the Son did not begin when Jesus was born to Mary. In fact, the Word was always with God, right from the beginning: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John teaches that God the Son was involved in the work of creation. As John goes on to write in verse 3: “Through [the Word] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Thus, from the opening words of his Gospel, John teaches that Jesus is nothing less than God himself. However, there is also a distinction between the Father and the Son in verse 1: “the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This is an early expression of the Christian understanding of the Trinity. We believe in one God who exists eternally as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are co-eternal. This is a confusing doctrine for believers, but it is the way the Bible presents who God is. This means that God is a relational being. Therefore, part of being made in the image of God is that we are relational beings, and the most important relationship of our lives is our relationship with God. This is the relationship Christ came into the world to restore. Where sin separated us from God, the grace God offers through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ opens the way for us to have a right relationship with God once more (see Romans 5:1–2). No one can restore our relationship with God except through the grace offered in Christ. On our own, we cannot even mark the path that would restore us to God and to living fully as God created us to live. As the old hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” says, “the eye made blind by sin thy glory cannot see.” This is why it was necessary for God to do the work of disclosing himself to us. God shows himself to us in the words of the Bible, and most fully of all in the Word, Jesus Christ the Son. Jesus shows us who God is and what God is like. When God took this initiative, new possibilities were born—and still are today. Divine power is released into our broken world, bringing new life to broken people. Transformation is not an inspired human work; it is a divine work through and through. Jesus is no ordinary person, though many will claim he is. Jesus is the greatest person ever to walk the earth. God the Son existed eternally before creation. Jesus came as a man born to Mary to show a fallen world the love and grace of God, to go so far as to die for sinners so that we might find forgiveness and new life through him (see Romans 5:6–8). Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. John wrote his Gospel long ago so that people in all times and places would read his words, meet Christ, and come to believe and find life in Jesus. What a beautiful testimony of God’s grace, which still brings people from darkness to light, from despair to hope, from death to life today! Adapted from the study material from the NIV Application Bible based on the NIV Application Commentary series.

“Is the Bible trustworthy?” “Is God fair?” “Are there three Gods?” If you have children, you’ve probably heard questions like these and many more. Kids are naturally curious. Their questions often come when you’re driving them to or from school, tucking them into bed, or eating dinner together. While some questions make us smile, others can leave us searching for the right words. The good news is that you don’t need to have all the answers to help your child grow in faith. In fact, one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is not having every answer. It’s creating an environment where asking questions about God is welcomed and where the Bible becomes the place you explore those answers together. Every Question Is an Opportunity to Disciple Children aren’t just collecting facts when they ask spiritual questions. They’re trying to understand who God is, how the Bible fits together, and what faith means for their own lives. Instead of feeling pressured to provide an immediate answer, consider responding with curiosity. You might say: “That’s a really interesting question.” “Let’s see what the Bible says.” “I’m not sure, but let’s discover it together.” These simple responses communicate two powerful things: God’s Word is trustworthy, and learning about him is a lifelong journey (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). When children see parents turning to Scripture first, they learn that the Bible isn’t just a book for church on Sunday. It is an important guide for everyday life (see Joshua 1:8). You Don’t Have to Be a Bible Expert Many parents worry they won’t know the Bible well enough to answer difficult questions. The truth is you don’t need a seminary degree to spiritually train your children. God simply calls parents to faithfully point their children toward him (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). God also promises to give wisdom to those who ask him (James 1:5). Your willingness to open the Bible together often makes a greater impact than having the perfect explanation. When you admit, “I’m not sure. Let’s find out together,” you’re modeling humility, dependence on God’s Word, and a love for learning. Those are valuable lessons your child will carry long after they’ve forgotten the specific question. Make Bible Conversations Part of Everyday Life Meaningful faith conversations don’t have to happen only during family devotions. Look for natural opportunities throughout the day: During a walk, admire God’s creation and talk about his power (Psalm 19:1). At bedtime, ask if your child has any questions about God or the Bible. After church, discuss something they learned, and encourage follow-up questions. While reading a Bible story, pause to ask, “What do you think God is teaching us in this story?” Small conversations, repeated over time, often shape a child’s faith more than one long lesson. Encourage Questions Instead of Shutting Them Down Sometimes parents unintentionally discourage curiosity because they’re afraid that difficult questions signal doubt. But questions are often evidence that a child’s faith is growing. Children who feel safe asking honest questions are more likely to develop a faith that becomes their own rather than one they simply inherit. Instead of worrying when your child asks, “Why does God allow bad things?” or “Does God love me even when I’ve been bad?” celebrate their desire to understand God more deeply. These conversations can become some of the most meaningful moments you’ll share together. Jesus himself welcomed those who sincerely sought understanding (John 3:1-21), and God invites us to seek him with all our hearts (see Jeremiah 29:13). Focus on the Conversation, Not the Answer Sometimes we become so focused on giving the “right” answer that we miss the relationship being built. Your child will not remember every explanation you give, but they’ll remember sitting beside you, opening God’s Word together, and knowing that their questions mattered. Those moments build trust, not only between parent and child but also between your child and God’s Word. Every conversation becomes another opportunity to help your child see that the Bible speaks to real life and that God welcomes those who sincerely seek him Matthew 7:7–8). Start Today The next time your child asks a question about God, resist the urge to rush through it. Pause. Listen. Open the Bible together. You don’t have to have every answer. You simply need a willingness to explore God’s truth alongside your child. Over time, those ordinary conversations become extraordinary opportunities to nurture a lifelong love for Scripture and a faith that continues to grow. As you do, remember God’s promise: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6). Use Resources That Make Conversations Easier One of the best ways to build confidence is to keep age-appropriate Bible resources within reach. The NIrV Question and Answer Bible for Kids was created specifically for children ages 6–10 who are beginning to explore God’s Word on their own. Written in the easy to read New International Reader’s Version (NIrV), it meets young readers at an accessible reading level while helping answer many of the questions they’re already asking. Throughout this Bible, engaging question-and-answer features connect Scripture to everyday curiosity, helping children understand biblical truths in ways they can grasp. Instead of simply reading the text, families can pause, discuss the featured questions, and continue the conversation together to create meaningful conversations that help children build a lifelong foundation of faith. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV), a trusted Bible translation that has helped millions of beginning readers, English language learners, and children confidently engage with Scripture. Based on the accurate and trusted New International Version (NIV), the NIrV uses a simpler vocabulary and shorter sentences while remaining faithful to the meaning of the biblical text. For three decades, it has helped young readers read, understand, and grow in God’s Word with confidence. Learn more about the NIrV and see all the Bibles available in the NIrV translation.

The imminent and soon return of Jesus Christ is one of the most foundational, recurring themes in the New Testament. From the Gospels to the Epistles, the early church lived with an eager expectation that history would culminate in the personal, visible return of their Savior. 1. The Biblical Teaching on the Soon Return of Jesus Scripture presents the return of Christ not merely as a distant theological concept, but as a living hope that should shape everyday behavior. The Promise of His Coming: On the night of His betrayal, Jesus comforted His disciples with the promise of His return: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3). Following His ascension, angels reaffirmed this truth to the gazing disciples, declaring, "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). The Suddenness and Imminence: The New Testament frequently uses the phrase "soon" or describes His coming as happening like "a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). This does not necessarily dictate a timeline governed by human calendars, but rather emphasizes imminence—it could happen at any moment, demanding perpetual spiritual alertness. The Ultimate Vindication: When Christ returns, He will not come as a suffering servant, but as the conquering King and righteous Judge. Paul writes that the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven "in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus" (2 Thessalonians 1:8), while bringing glorious salvation to those eagerly waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:28). 2. What the Church Must Do to Prepare To "prepare" for Christ’s return does not mean retreating from society or franically setting dates. Biblically, preparation is active, faithful, and focused. The church is called to posture itself in specific ways: Maintain Spiritual Vigilance and Holiness: Believers are commanded to put off the works of darkness and cultivate personal purity. 1 John 3:2–3 notes, "We know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." Diligently Execute the Great Commission: Being ready means being busy about the Master’s business. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30), the master commends the servants who multiplied what they were given, while rebuking the one who buried his gift out of laziness and fear. The church prepares by actively making disciples, preaching the Gospel, and advancing God’s kingdom globally. Persist in Loving Community and Good Works: Amid trials, division, and cultural pressure, the church must refuse to grow cold in love. Hebrews 10:24–25 urges believers to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, "not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." 3. Illustrations and Examples Illustration A: The Ten Virgins (The Danger of Complacency) In Matthew 25:1–13, Jesus tells the parable of ten bridesmaids waiting for a bridegroom. Five were foolish and took no extra oil for their lamps; five were wise, bringing flasks of oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all dozed off. But at midnight, the cry went out: "Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him." The foolish virgins realized their lamps were going out and scrambled to buy oil, missing the arrival altogether and finding the door locked. The Lesson: "Oil" represents an authentic, living relationship with the Holy Spirit and sustained saving faith. You cannot borrow spiritual readiness from someone else at the last minute; every individual believer must maintain a personal, vibrant walk with Christ. Illustration B: The Anchor and the Ship (The Anchor of Hope) Think of a massive cargo ship caught in a violent, turbulent harbor storm. The waves crash against the hull, and visibility is near zero. The crew does not panic or abandon ship; instead, they drop a heavy anchor deep into the seabed, securing the vessel against the shifting tides. The Lesson: Hebrews 6:19 describes the hope of Christ's return as "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul." When cultural instability, suffering, and societal shifts buffet the modern church, the promise of Jesus' return acts as our anchor. It keeps the church stable, preventing us from drifting into despair or worldly compromise, fixing our eyes steadily on the horizon where our King will appear. 4. The Current State of the American Church: Closer or Further Away? Evaluating whether the American Christian church is moving closer to or further away from God reveals a deeply complex, polarized picture. Sociological tracking from organizations like the Pew Research Center and the Barna Group highlights a church undergoing a massive, painful reset. The Reality of Cultural De-centering: For decades, the American church enjoyed cultural privilege. That era has ended. Long-term metrics show that regular church attendance has declined significantly since the early 2000s, and overall religious identification (those identifying as Christian) has dropped. Millions have transitioned into the "nones" (religiously unaffiliated), marking a drift away from institutional faith. Signs of Refiner’s Fire and Realignment: Paradoxically, while the nominal (cultural) Christian middle is evaporating, there are localized signs of deeper devotion. Recent data points to a stabilization of attendance baselines, alongside pockets of intense spiritual hunger and theological seriousness among younger generations (such as Gen Z). The Verdict: The American church as a whole is arguably moving further away from cultural comfort and superficial religion, but being forced to decide whether to move closer to authentic, costly discipleship. The shedding of nominalism—though painful—is purifying, leaving behind a remnant that must choose between worldly assimilation and true faithfulness to Christ. 5. The Impact of the "Church Growth Movement" Beginning in the mid-to-late 20th century (sparked by missiologists like Donald McGavran and popularized by mega-church leadership models), the Church Growth Movement aimed to reverse decline by treating church expansion through the lens of corporate strategy, marketing, and pragmatic consumer-sensitivity. Its legacy on the American church is profound and mixed: The Positives (Pragmatic Effectiveness): Excellence and Accessibility: The movement successfully challenged insular, unwelcoming church cultures. It forced congregations to think carefully about clear communication, clean facilities, parking, and removing unnecessary human barriers for seekers entering a building. Focus on the Lost: It re-energized a passion for evangelism and outreach, reminding leaders that the church exists for those who are outside of it. The Negatives (The Spiritual Cost): Consumerism in the Pews: By prioritizing what "seekers" or consumers wanted, many churches inadvertently shifted the focus from cross-bearing discipleship to customer satisfaction. Worship became entertainment; preaching became therapeutic life-coaching rather than expository repentance and holiness. The "Growth at All Costs" Compromise: To maximize numbers, hard truths regarding sin, judgment, self-denial, and costly obedience were often downplayed. The Illusion of Health: As critics have noted, the movement often conflated numerical growth with spiritual health. A church can swell with thousands of attendees through clever marketing while its members remain spiritually malnourished, undiscipled, and virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding secular culture. 6. Bringing It Together: Preparing for Christ's Return Today When we view the current state of the American church and the legacy of the Church Growth Movement through the lens of Christ's soon return, the call to preparation becomes starkly clear. The church cannot ready itself for a holy Bridegroom by relying on corporate growth algorithms, polished stage production, or cultural relevance. Instead, the impending return of Jesus demands a return to substantive spiritual depth: a) Trading Metrics for Maturity: We must stop measuring "success" by seating capacity and start measuring it by the depth of personal holiness, sacrificial love, and biblical literacy in the pews. b) Resisting Cultural Conformity: As the culture grows increasingly post-Christian, the church must stop trying to blend in to win approval. True readiness looks like the wise virgins keeping their lamps filled with the genuine oil of the Holy Spirit—standing firm, distinct, and eagerly waiting for the sky to split. Shifting a local church culture away from consumerism and back toward watchful, authentic discipleship does not always require a massive top-down organizational overhaul. Often, it begins from the ground up, fueled by individual believers who refuse to treat the church like a service provider. Individual believers can help pivot their local church culture through several intentional, practical steps: 1. Shift from "What Do I Get?" to "How Can I Serve?" The Consumer Mindset: Attends church to evaluate the production, the music, or the comfort, asking: “Did this meet my needs today?” The Disciple's Pivot: Re-evaluates personal presence by asking: “How can I give of myself, bear burdens, and minister to others?” Believers can combat consumerism by stepping out of the rows and into active, unseen service—volunteering in children’s ministries, mentoring youth, or visiting the sick without waiting to be begged by leadership. 2. Deepen Relational Accountability and Vulnerability The Consumer Mindset: Prefers the anonymity of a crowd where one can slip in unnoticed and leave without being known. The Disciple's Pivot: Actively plugs into smaller, localized pockets of fellowship (such as life groups, prayer cells, or accountability triads) where confession, spiritual struggle, and deep truth can be shared. When believers choose transparency over keeping up appearances, the church becomes a hospital for sinners rather than a showcase for spectators. 3. Anchor Local Conversations in Eternal Realities The Consumer Mindset: Obsesses over temporal preferences—style of worship music, building aesthetics, or campus amenities. The Disciple's Pivot: Purposefully steers conversational culture toward eternal things. Believers can inject a sense of watchful readiness into their peer groups by talking about spiritual hunger, local outreach, holiness, and the return of Christ, gently calling fellow members out of petty preferences and back to the core mission of the Gospel. 4. Support and Encourage Costly, Biblical Leadership The Consumer Mindset: Demands that pastors tickle their ears, avoid hard truths, and cater to every comfort. The Disciple's Pivot: Explicitly encourages leadership to preach hard, uncompromised truths, shepherd souls, and prioritize discipleship over metrics. Believers can lift up their pastors by letting them know they want substantive scriptural depth, repentance, and life transformation—reassuring leadership that they will support them even when the message calls for costly obedience. "A consumer attends, evaluates, and chooses based on preference. A disciple follows, obeys, and is shaped over time." A Thought for Reflection As you look at your own rhythm of church involvement, what is one concrete way you can move this week from consuming a religious program to contributing as a servant-disciple of Christ?

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health epidemic. Shockingly, social disconnection is akin to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in terms of leading to serious health problems and even death. A year later, in 2024, a report from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education found that 21% of U.S. adults felt lonely. Among those 21%, roughly 81% reported anxiety or depression, while 75% reported having little or no sense of meaning or purpose. Additionally, 65% of lonely adults said they felt fundamentally disconnected from others in the world. All this is reported while we live in a world of unprecedented access. Right in our hands, through our mobile devices, we can know what our family members did minutes ago through Instagram stories. We can even see what our friends are doing in real time with a quick livestream. And yet, with all of this access, there is still a real crisis of belonging. Where do we belong? Where do we fit in? And what will we do to fulfill the desire to belong and fit in? This is not simply a social problem; it is a spiritual problem. And the Bible addressed it some four thousand years ago in the story of a man named Abram (later known as Abraham). All these questions must have been running through Abram’s mind when God called him to leave everything he knew, give his allegiance to Yahweh, and follow the call of God into the land of promise. The invitation for Abram was to find his belonging in a new family; however, that invitation would come with a cost. While Genesis 11:31–32 suggests Abram was called from Harran, Acts 7:2–4 and Genesis 15:7 teach us that Abram was first called out of Ur of the Chaldeans. This is significant for several reasons. We will recall that in Genesis 11 we find the story of the rebellion of humanity at the tower of Babel. Interestingly, the people who gathered in the plain of Shinar desired to make a name for themselves. They wanted to find their belonging through their own achievement, rooted in pride. Instead, they were humbled and dispersed. In a redemptive reversal, God calls Abram out of Ur of the Chaldeans — roughly the geographical designation of a Babylonian city. At Ur of the Chaldeans, and also in Harran, the people worshipped the moon god Nanna, for whom they built a ziggurat temple tower that served as the god’s home. In other words, the people of these cities associated themselves with the household of the god they served. It is from this context that Yahweh calls Abram out of the epicenter of rebellion and offers him a place within the household of God — along with an invitation to be a winsome witness to the surrounding nations in order to draw them back to God’s household. However, Abram would have to face the cost of the call. To belong to God’s household, he would have to turn away from the gods of Ur and Harran. This must have been a significant decision, recognizing that it would mean leaving his own father and brother behind. In researching the biblical theology of spiritual warfare, I’ve come to understand, and argue at length in The Unseen Battle, that this crisis is fundamentally about belonging: two competing households vying for the allegiance of humanity. As Genesis 11:31 notes, while Terah may have had an initial desire to go to Canaan with Abram, when he arrived at Harran and saw the temple of his god, he relented and settled there, a land that provided him protection. In the ancient world, leaving the geographic area of your gods was extremely dangerous. People understood that divine protection was connected to those gods’ geographical boundaries. In leaving Ur and Harran, Abram left behind his family and abandoned the household of other gods, following Yahweh alone into the wilderness. There is a lesson for us here as well. The call of Abram was more than just a call to go to a strange, unknown land. It was a call to belong to the household of God. This call had spiritual implications — perhaps akin to a declaration of war. Spiritual warfare is fundamentally about obedience. Will we follow the call of God and leave behind the safety and security of our “other gods,” whatever they may be? This is the question Abram faced: will he remain in the household of the familiar gods he knows, or will he follow this new God who calls him to a new land? This is also the question we face today. We live in a world that constantly beckons us to find our identity and belonging in created things — in counterfeit households that promise fulfillment but leave us unsatisfied. The great deception is that the enemy preys on a good and honest desire to belong, but he directs that desire toward things that will not bring fulfillment but will bring deeper loneliness, anxiety, and internal chaos. However, the promise God made to Abram is exactly what was fulfilled by the victory of Jesus on the cross. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:19–22: Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. The Jew/Gentile distinction first emerged in the aftermath of Babel and the call of Abram. It was to Abram that a covenant promise was made that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Today, the same invitation awaits us. But it comes with a cost. It requires a transfer of allegiance. Just as Abram turned away from the gods of his family, we will face the same choice and must accept the cost that comes with it. It will likely look different for each of us. It may mean maintaining boundaries with family members who are not believers. It may mean releasing friendships that are not drawing us into deeper godliness. It may mean that our commitment to Jesus challenges our political persuasions. Ultimately, the call to belong to the family of God requires us to rightly order our allegiances, placing our primary allegiance to King Jesus above all others. The household of God, the fulfillment found in the body of Christ, and the sufficiency of the Spirit are the answers to the desperate desire to belong. Joel Muddamalle, PhD Drawn from content in The Unseen Battle and the NIV Application Bible.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible keeps coming back to one idea: God is in charge — reigning as both creator and sustainer of everything that exists. But Adam and Eve had other plans. Their rejection of God’s authority threw the whole world into chaos, and ever since, God has been patiently working to restore his rule over the earth — not by abandoning humanity, but by redeeming it. A King Was Always Part of the Plan Long before Jesus showed up, God was already setting the stage for a king. When Israel became a nation, God established David as king and made him the founder of an enduring dynasty. A significant moment came when David captured Jerusalem and brought the ark of the covenant into the city — a partial joining of David’s kingdom with God’s own (2 Samuel 6–7). David’s son Solomon extended that connection by building a temple for God right next to the royal palace (1 Kings 5–8). As the one who built God’s house, the king took on a special role in establishing God’s reign on earth. But that reign was contested from the start. Psalm 2 makes clear that nations stood in open opposition to both God and his anointed king. Still, the hope persisted that a future king from David’s line would restore God’s rule over the whole earth, bringing justice and peace (Psalm 72; see also Isaiah 2:2–4; 9:2–7; 11:1–12). David’s successors did not remain faithful however, and the Old Testament story moves from the height of his reign toward catastrophe with the defeat of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians in 587/586 BC. Although this was a major setback to establishing God’s reign on the earth, the hope endured. Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream captures it well — a kingdom that God himself would establish, one that would outlast every empire before it: “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed… it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44). Jesus Shows Up and the Story Turns The Old Testament hopes associated with the Davidic monarchy gave rise to the concept of a messiah, a Hebrew term for “anointed one.” By the time of the New Testament, the word carried specific weight: the long-awaited king who would fulfill what God had promised through David’s line. Despite having power over nature itself, Jesus deliberately shuns establishing God’s reign by military power. In fact, the self-giving, sacrificial death of the king creates God’s kingdom. Turning everything upside down, it is by dying, not conquering, that Jesus ends Satan’s rule over the earth and frees those held under it (Matthew 12:25–29). That’s the announcement Jesus keeps making throughout his ministry: the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God) has arrived, so repent and believe the Good News (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15). And through a string of parables, Jesus provides important insights into the nature of the kingdom (Matthew 13): – The kingdom will grow gradually, starting as something exceptionally small but eventually reaching great size. – During this growing phase, the devil will actively seek to hinder the kingdom’s expansion. – Those who become members of the kingdom will face persecution from both Satan and those who knowingly or unknowingly side with Satan. Even Jesus himself faces the temptation to claim universal kingship without the suffering required and must refuse (Matthew 4:8–9). Eventually, Jesus says, he’ll come back — not as a suffering servant this time, but as universal judge, separating the righteous from the wicked and destroying evil once and for all. At that time, God’s kingdom will become all that it was meant to be from the beginning. Until then, membership in the kingdom carries real weight: some who claim to belong will be shown by their actions not to (Matthew 7:15–23), while others will discover that the kingdom is worth more than everything else they hold (Matthew 13:44–46). And crucially, this kingdom is not bound by national borders; it exists wherever people acknowledge Jesus as king, and this is why his followers are sent to make disciples among all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). A Kingdom You Can’t Force Even after the cross, the fight isn’t over. Paul is direct about the nature of the opposition: not “flesh and blood,” but “the powers of this dark world” and “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Christians must therefore equip themselves with appropriate spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13–17). As God’s chosen king, Jesus comes as a king of peace, deliberately rejecting power and violence as the means to rule, and allowing himself to be executed as a common criminal. It is precisely this path — suffering and death — that leads to his being exalted to rule over all things (Philippians 2:7–11), with death itself eventually counted among the enemies he destroys (1 Corinthians 15:24–26). As God’s true vice-regent, Jesus stands apart from every human king who has claimed the same role through force. History shows that Christ’s followers have not always understood this. Christians have, at times, taken up arms in Christ’s name, believing it to be God’s will — but doing so simply models God’s kingdom on the kingdoms built by ambitious human rulers. The Bible emphasizes that people cannot be forced into God’s kingdom but must be persuaded in love. So What Now? The world remains divided — some welcoming God’s reign, others resisting it. For now, the call to Christians is to persevere through that opposition, understanding that the conflict between good and evil will end when Jesus returns in glory. Until then, the mission is to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom and to keep praying as Jesus taught: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9–10). Adapted from “What Is the Kingdom of God?” by T.D. Alexander in the NIV Biblical Theology Bible.

The question of whether the Bible still matters in modern life is one many people continue to ask—especially in a world shaped by rapid technological change, shifting values, and constant noise. At first thought an ancient text might seem disconnected from today’s realities. Yet, for millions the Bible remains deeply relevant because it speaks to core human experiences that have not changed: belief and trust in an all-knowing higher power, salvation from sin, ultimate purpose in life, one’s identity in the eyes of God, and the power of being in a right relationship with the Creator, among many other factors that span our modern experience. The apostle Paul shared a message that is central to the Bible’s teachings, and it is just as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” —Romans 10:9–11 Coming to a saving belief in the power of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and integrating the truths surrounding that sacrifice into your daily life is the key to implementing the Bible’s key principles into our lives. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The NIV Quest Study Bible helps clarify the meaning of this verse: God created us for a relationship with him. So he took the initiative to make the relationship right. God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, who did for us what we could never do for ourselves: Jesus lived a wholly righteous life—a perfect life in line with the law and in total relationship with God the Father. Even more than that, Jesus took on himself all the punishment our disobedience deserves (see Romans 3:24). At the cross he fulfilled all that righteousness demanded. His life was given in exchange for ours; his blood paid the price for our justification. The results of Jesus’ sacrifice are personally available to us simply by faith. God has done everything required to justify us. All that remains is for us to receive the grace of God shown on the cross. We are justified through faith when we stop trying to justify ourselves and depend completely on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Understanding that there is a God who offers his limitless wisdom and love through being in relationship with him and accepting the salvation offered in Jesus is and always has been the foundation of the Christian faith. But how does the Bible speak to some of today’s most pressing issues? Anxiety The Bible has much to say about anxiety, a concern of epic proportion today. Modern life often brings pressure, uncertainty, and comparison, all of which can fuel worry. The Bible doesn’t ignore these feelings; instead, it recognizes the universal nature of this reality and addresses it directly with both honesty and hope. Philippians 4:6–7 reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This passage doesn’t deny anxiety, but it offers a practical response: turn worries into prayer and trust in something far greater than immediate circumstances—God’s intimate knowledge of our concerns and fears and his ability to provide peace amid difficulty. Similarly, 1 Peter 5:7 encourages, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” In a fast-moving culture where people often feel like they are constantly striving to carry the weight of a stress-filled life and can’t ask for help, this verse presents a different perspective—that burdens can be shared, and that care is available that extends well beyond human limits. These teachings resonate today because anxiety remains a universal human experience, regardless of the era in which one lives. Purpose Finding purpose in life is another area where many people struggle. With countless choices at our fingertips and all of the self-imposed expectations we have in our quick-fix culture, it’s easy to feel unsure about direction or meaning. The Bible offers a grounding perspective by suggesting that purpose is not solely self-created; rather, it is best discovered in pursuing a deeper relationship with God. Jeremiah 29:11 is often cited in this context: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” While originally written to a specific group of people who were displaced from their homeland in exile, the broader message—that life has meaning beyond immediate human circumstances—continues to encourage people today. Additionally, Micah 6:8 provides a simple yet powerful summary of purposeful living: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Rather than defining purpose through achievement alone, the Bible emphasizes inquiring of the God who understands each one of us and can greatly influence character, relationships, and values. Loneliness Despite the sharp increase in digital connectivity, loneliness has become a major issue in modern life. The Bible addresses this by consistently highlighting the importance of community. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:18 states, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” This foundational idea reflects a broader truth: Humans are designed for connection. In the New Testament, this emphasis continues. Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages believers, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together … but encouraging one another.” In a time when isolation is common, this call to intentional gathering in community remains highly relevant. The Bible doesn’t just acknowledge loneliness—it offers a vision of shared life as the antidote. The modern church, in its services and practices, is the beginning of the solution to this deeply felt issue. Overarching this need for human connection is the desire of the heavenly Father to connect with each of his children who believe in him: “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8). Weekly attendance and participation in a local congregation will bring God closer through the experience of intentional Christian community. Guidance When it comes to decision-making, the Bible provides guidance not through specific instructions for every situation but through principles that shape how people think and act. Proverbs 3:5–6 advises, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This passage encourages personal humility and trust in God for guidance and direction rather than relying on impulsive or purely self-reliant decisions. Another practical verse is James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” In a world full of complex choices, the idea that we have access to God and his eternal, all-knowing wisdom offers reassurance and direction. Identity Identity is another deeply relevant topic today. Many people wrestle with questions about who they are and what defines their worth. The Bible presents identity as rooted not in achievement or social approval but in being known and valued by God. Psalm 139:13–14 reflects this beautifully: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” This perspective, when deeply integrated into one’s life, can provide stability in a culture where identity often feels uncertain or externally shaped. In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 5:17 adds another dimension: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This speaks to personal transformation through being in relationship with the Savior of the world. It also speaks to the near-limitless possibility of renewal, which continues to resonate with people who are seeking change and growth in their lives. Relationships Relationships is another area where the Bible offers enduring wisdom. Whether in friendships, family, or romantic partnerships, its teachings emphasize love, patience, and forgiveness. One of the most well-known passages, 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, describes love in practical terms: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” These qualities and many others in this chapter remain widely recognized as foundational for healthy relationships. Ephesians 4:32 further highlights relational values: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” In a world where conflict is inevitable, the emphasis on kindness, forgiveness, and compassion remains highly applicable. The Bible’s Principles Still Apply—and Always Will So, is the Bible relevant and useful in modern life? For millions of believers, the answer is yes—not because it provides instant solutions, but because it addresses the deeper questions underlying human nature, God’s care and concern for his people, and many everyday challenges. The Bible’s teachings on salvation, anxiety, purpose, loneliness, decision-making, identity, and relationships continue to resonate because they speak to timeless aspects of the human experience. The Creator who made each of us has given guidance through his message to all of us who experience the complexities of life on this earth and who have chosen to follow him. He provides wisdom, perspective, and care for all who love him and trust him for protection and guidance. While cultural contexts have changed, the need for meaning, connection, and guidance has not. The Bible’s relevance today lies in its ability to meet those needs with both honesty and hope, offering insights that continue to shape how people live, think, and relate to one another in the modern world. Overarching all of this is the Bible’s encouragement to connect deeply to the God who cares about each individual and who loves us like no one else ever could. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! —1 John 3:1

Whole-Life Pro-Life Commitment For generations, Christians have believed and affirmed the true story that life is a gift from God in all of its stages. Our whole-life pro-life commitment means we believe every person at every stage of life is made in the image of God. We make a conscious commitment to value all of human life, from beginning to end—or from dust to dust, as the centuries-old graveside liturgy expresses it. But we inhabit a world that is dead set on living in a false story of aging—one that values, at most, only the first half of life but does not value its second half of bodily decline. The Christian whole-life pro-life commitment is beautiful on our lips, but it is more beautiful as it moves to our hands and feet. We assert that all of life is valuable in all of its stages, but do we prove we believe that story by living in a way that reflects this conviction? One of the simplest ways for the modern church to live counterculturally is to embrace, defend, and live as though we value all of life, including the latter parts. But to do so, we must grapple with—and, I believe, reject wholesale—the prevailing attitudes toward decline and death that make up a whopper of a false story. It’s a false story that yields negative consequences for all who embrace it, a false story rooted in how we understand what we were made for and how we relate to time itself. Here are six lies our culture wants us to believe about aging, and the truth the Bible gives us in response: 1. Aging is a diminishment, a loss of identity. As abilities decline and roles shift, aging changes us from someone who “is and does” to someone who “was and did.” We used to be employees, supervisors, fit, lean, beautiful, active, parents, spouses, siblings. We become has-beens, marking time until our bodies give out on us. The Bible instructs that aging is a completion, a deepening of identity. Older men and women are presented as the repositories of a generational wealth that can only be built by the passage of time and, in the case of the believer, by the work of the Spirit. Though the kinds of contributions they make may change over time, “They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.” (Ps. 92:14) The titles that once fit them may fall away, but their personhood grows deep roots. They contribute a wisdom that only age can yield. 2. The elderly are obsolete. People don’t just age, they age out. The elderly may still be physically present, but their ability to contribute to or live in a rapidly changing world has more or less ceased. Like pagers and floppy disks and last year’s iPhone, their day of relevance has passed into sunset. Let them collect in communities with other obsolete people, other citizens of the lost world of yesterday. And don’t waste the first half of life, while you still have relevance. The Bible instructs us that the elderly are invaluable. Their insights and experience make them worthy of honor (Lev. 19:32). Their perspectives matter for the well-being of the family, whether family of origin or family of God. That wisdom and experience should grant them a central place in our lives, rather than a sequestered one. And it keeps them relevant for all of life. 3. Wisdom is found among the young. Because tech changes so rapidly, the old among us struggle to keep apace. Knowledge moves faster than they do. Younger generations can conflate a lack of current knowledge with a lack of wisdom. How can someone who needs help with her printer have wisdom to lend? Nowhere is this more evident than on social media platforms, where an entire class of faux experts has emerged: influencers whose credentials we take no time to verify dispense the norms by which we are told to order our lives. These influencers are not gray-hairs. Most are still young adults. And very few are marketing the wisdom of age; they are more likely linking us to the newest fountain of youth with an affiliate link. The Bible instructs us that “wisdom is found among the aged” (Job 12:12), a wisdom of a quality that can only be discovered by the passage of time and the work of the Spirit. That elderly couple who sits behind you at church may not know how to reset their router, but they likely know some invaluable lessons about marriage and parenting. Your grandma who never used sunscreen or had a chemical peel likely knows some secrets about inner beauty, and you need her insights. 4. Aging is a disease to medicate. Modern medicine is a gift that adds length and quality of life to our latter years. While medically mitigating or preventing the suffering that comes with physical decline is a positive, medically masking the outward signs of aging is a matter for serious consideration. One has only to look at the faces and bodies of Hollywood actors to apprehend that aging faces and bodies are increasingly viewed as deformities. Aging is a process to be prevented, concealed, and denied through all manner of injections, surgeries, laser treatments, diets, workouts, and supplements. The Bible instructs us that aging is a gift to steward. When we read that “gray hair is a crown of glory” we are tempted to laugh (Prov. 16:31). But many never live to gain that crown. Those of us who do gain it receive a form of riches–more time for intergenerational relationships, more time for faithful service to God and others. Yes, old age does erode our health, typically requiring doctor appointments, medications, and care. But even in receiving that care, we are met with God’s sustaining presence (Isa. 46:4). As he graciously does with all consequences of the fall, God works aging for our good. Our aging faces and bodies teach us of a sustaining God. 5. The elderly are a burden. In our age of radical individualism, most of us conceive of a successful life as one where we grow up to become self-sufficient, leaving dependency permanently behind in childhood. To return to a state of dependency, particularly dependency on our own children, feels like the ultimate failure. Thus, the idea of the elderly as burdensome takes root. Because aging parents are so often vocal about not wanting to be a burden, adult children may take them at their word, only to be surprised or blindsided by caregiving needs when they arise. The Bible instructs us that the elderly are a sacred charge (Ex. 20:12, cf 1 Tim. 5:8). It anticipates that long life will entail dependency on younger generations. Rather than conceive of caregiving as a downward-only duty, we instead expect that caregiving upward will be a normal, anticipated part of the rhythm of life. We banish the language of burden, both as caregiver and receiver. Caring for the elderly may not be simple or easy, but it is a duty we strive to fulfill out of gratitude. Some of us may not have parents for whom we can reasonably feel grateful, but we seek to care for them as we are able, forgiving where we can, providing where we can. 6. Age is just a number. You’re only as old as you feel! Pay no attention to a date on a calendar. You don’t look a day over 29. Don’t worry, your biological age is much younger than your chronological age. So say the birthday cards, the BFF’s, and the biohackers. The Bible instructs us that our days are sovereignly numbered and that we must strive to number them properly (Ps. 90:12). For the believer, aging gracefully is rooted in a distinctly Christian understanding of grace: that the time God gives us is precious and that our awareness of its passing develops wisdom in us. Well-intended platitudes like “Age is just a number” contain a kernel of truth, but they also betray our desire to deny or minimize the passage of time. Age is not just a number. It’s an indicator light on the dashboard of life. If we want to steward the time God has given, we must pay attention to how much we likely have left to steward. Don’t miss the underlying motivators of these two competing narratives. The world’s false story of anti-aging is motivated by fear: Don’t get old. You’ll be invisible, irrelevant, a has-been, a burden. The Bible’s true story of aging is motivated by joy: Embrace aging. You’ll grow in wisdom, depth, and value. No one is a has-been in God’s family. Which story will you embrace? Your quality of life, your willingness to care for the aging, and your witness to those around you depend on your answer. Aging is the ultimate test of steadfastness. No story but the true one will see us through with dignity and grace. Our aging faces and bodies teach us of a sustaining God. Jen Wilkin is the author of Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging World.

Joseph’s story in the book of Genesis is one of the most powerful examples in the Bible of an individual trusting God’s plan through extreme difficulty and hardship. Joseph’s life—marked by betrayal, suffering, and ultimate redemption of an individual who held a key role in God’s plan for his people—did more than shape Joseph’s own future. It preserved the nation of Israel, fulfilled God’s promises, and continues to offer practical lessons for Christians today. Joseph’s Betrayal and Suffering: Trusting God in Hardship Joseph’s trials began with deep betrayal from his own family. His brothers, jealous of their father’s obvious favor for his youngest son Joseph, “stripped him of his robe… and threw him into the cistern” (Genesis 37:23–24). Soon after, convinced by their brother Judah’s appeal to spare Joseph’s life, the brothers agreed to sell him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). As they watched the Ishmaelites carry him away, they thought they had effectively removed him from his home and future. They imagined that their “problem” was solved. After this, Joseph continued to suffer. Taken as a slave to Egypt, he had to cope with life in a foreign land. Though he served faithfully and was well liked by his owner Potiphar, Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned (Genesis 39:20). And although he was also found useful in prison, being given many responsibilities by the captain of the guard, he was forgotten by those he had helped—those who could have helped him: “The chief cupbearer… did not remember Joseph; he forgot him” (Genesis 40:23). Despite years of injustice, Joseph never abandoned his faith. His story reminds believers that trusting God doesn’t mean avoiding hardship; rather, it means remaining faithful to God’s purposes through whatever difficulties may come. How Joseph Preserved Israel and Fulfilled God’s Plan Joseph’s faithfulness positioned him for God’s greater purpose. Scripture emphasizes, “The Lord was with [Joseph] and … gave him success in everything he did” (Genesis 39:2–3). After a series of events in which Joseph was given the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph rose to power in Egypt (Genesis 41:14–16, 41). From his lofty position as second-in-command under the Egyptian Pharaoh, Joseph prepared the nation of Egypt for the severe famine predicted in Pharaoh’s dream. When the famine spread throughout the region, Joseph’s own family came to Egypt seeking food—leading to their survival. Joseph later revealed God’s perspective on his suffering to his brothers in one of the most startling stories in the book of Genesis. Joseph met with his brothers, the ones who had betrayed him and sold him into slavery, and Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them (Genesis 50:19–20). Through Joseph: The family of Jacob, the people of Israel, survived a severe famine. The family of Jacob settled in Egypt, benefitting directly from the influence of Joseph. After they migrated, the people thrived in the land of Egypt: “Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number” (Genesis 47:27). What initially looked like personal tragedy for Joseph was actually an integral part of God’s covenant plan for his people. God empowered Joseph to endure hardship, giving him success in the midst of his troubles. Through God’s care and guidance, Joseph’s dedication to God and his personal integrity was rewarded by his superiors, moving forward the story of the people of God. Joseph’s Godly Character in a Secular Culture Living in Egypt, Joseph remained faithful to God in an environment that was likely openly hostile to the Israelites’ religious devotion. He remained faithful to the convictions he learned under the instruction of his father Jacob, who exemplified faithfulness and dedication to the God of heaven. For example, when tempted to sexual sin by the wife of his employer, he declared: “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). The NIV Application Bible asserts the following about the attempted seduction and subsequent accusation by Potiphar’s wife: The account of the attempted seduction of Joseph shows him in a positive light. The details are given in such a way as to confirm Joseph’s unquestionable innocence. He does not lead on Potiphar’s wife or allow himself to enjoy her company at any level. He is compromised only by a desperate and spiteful act, supported by shameless lies that none can contest but the accused. Potiphar responds by “burn[ing] with anger” (39:19). Given his wife’s slander of his own motives, the proven trustworthiness of Joseph, and his knowledge of his wife’s character or lack of it, Potiphar’s anger arguably burns at his wife, not at Joseph. This is further suggested by the fact that Joseph is only put in the king’s prison. If Potiphar believed his wife and was truly angry with Joseph, Joseph would probably have been executed on the spot, no questions asked. In contrast, the king’s prison was a place for political prisoners and would hardly have been expected to accommodate foreign slaves guilty of crimes against their masters. The action he takes against Joseph is as minimal as it can be while still retaining his family’s honor. Later, when given the unusual (and God-ordained) opportunity to speak with the Pharaoh and interpret his dreams, Joseph stayed humble and refused to take the credit: “I cannot do it… but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” (Genesis 41:16). Again, the NIV Application Bible comments on this story: When Joseph is finally brought before Pharaoh, he is careful to deny that he is a trained expert in dream interpretation. Whatever success he has, he insists, comes from God. He assures Pharaoh that God will give him the “answer he desires” (v. 16). As Joseph presents the interpretation, he also treats the dream as a message from God (41:25). He does not specifically identify the God Yahweh as the deity who has sent the message. He uses generic terminology, and Pharaoh is left to draw his own conclusion about which deity is responsible. Certainly, any deity who could inflict such a severe famine on Egypt must be a powerful one. The gods connected to the Nile and its annual flooding were considered to be powerful gods who would have to be restrained in some way (or angered by some offense) for the annual flooding to fail for seven years. No cause is offered for the coming famine. It would appear odd for a dream to carry prospects of both tremendous prosperity and devastating tragedy. What could possibly be motivating any deity to offer such mutually exclusive determinations? Joseph is clearly no complainer conspiring to speak ill of the throne, nor is he a flatterer trying to get on Pharaoh’s good side by offering joyous news of divine favor. It is not surprising, then, that Pharaoh decides that Joseph is both credible and trustworthy. Again Joseph’s personal integrity and deep trust in God’s plan for his journey stands out. Joseph’s life is exemplary in that it shows Christians today how they can live with integrity, influence, and faithfulness—even in the midst of secular workplaces and cultures. God can and still does work in the lives of his followers to accomplish his purposes. What Christians Today Can Learn from Joseph Joseph’s story is deeply relevant for modern believers, especially Christians navigating uncertain seasons. From his actions and his responses we can be inspired to similarly trust in the God who knows us and promises to lead us. As Proverbs 3:5–6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Here are a few key takeaways: 1. Trust God’s plan when life doesn’t make sense: Joseph’s suffering had purpose—even when he couldn’t see it.2. Stay faithful in hidden seasons: God was shaping Joseph in slavery and prison long before his promotion.3. Let God, rather than your pain, define your story: Joseph chose forgiveness over bitterness.4. Believe God is working behind the scenes. As the New Testament affirms: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). Summary: Following Joseph’s Example Joseph didn’t just endure hardship—he trusted God with his entire life story. Because of that, his faithfulness impacted generations and fulfilled God’s promises. His testimony is a reminder that even when circumstances feel confusing or painful, God is still writing the story. The same truth applies today: As did Joseph, we can trust the Author of our story—even when we don’t yet understand the plot. Let’s take one last look at the NIV Application Bible to summarize this short review: God can use even the messiest family dysfunction and wrong motives to accomplish his will. God’s providence moves through all human actions. Even something as horrible as selling a brother into slavery led to the saving of many lives. Surely there were long periods of darkness and despair for Joseph, but in the end God’s plan was good, and Joseph recognized that when he looked back at his past hardships. When we find ourselves in times of uncertainty, Joseph’s story reminds us that God is always in control. Adapted from the study material from the NIV Application Bible based on the NIV Application Commentary series.

In both the story of Jairus’s daughter and the story of the woman with the bleeding condition (see Mark 5: 21-43), Jesus allows prolonged suffering, longer than either would have chosen. And yet those delays are not signs of neglect but part of his healing work. By allowing desperation to deepen, he brings healing not only to the body but also to the heart. When it comes to healing, God often uses two kinds of means: the ordinary and the miraculous. We see both in this passage. For those of us in places like Nashville— sometimes called the “Silicon Valley of health care”— this resonates deeply. Many in our churches and communities labor each day to ease suffering. Thanks to modern medicine, a cardiologist can guide a tiny camera through a heart, place a stent, and send a patient home by dinner. These marvels are ordinary means, yet still gifts from God. And still even the best medicine has limits. Each Sunday, pastors look into congregations filled with people who, like the woman in Mark 5, have tried everything. After twelve years of suffering, her health has worsened. She has spent all she has. She’s exhausted and isolated. Her story mirrors the ache of many today. Having served as a pastor for thirty years, I’ve witnessed the toll of unhealed suffering. Often people turn to Jesus only when every other option has failed. But here is the good news: Even when we come to him as a last resort, Jesus meets us not with disappointment but with compassion. He welcomes our desperate prayers even when our faith feels tattered and small. For the bleeding woman, physical suffering is only part of her pain. Her condition has left her ceremonially unclean, cut off from touch, community, and dignity. While Jairus approaches Jesus publicly and with status, she comes in secret—ashamed, unnoticed, and uncertain of her worth. Her faith is real, but hesitant. She doesn’t stand tall before Jesus. She reaches from behind, hoping not to be seen. But Jesus refuses to let her remain hidden. In a culture where women are often known only by their relationships—daughter of, wife of, mother of—this woman has been known only by her affliction. For twelve long years, she’s had no advocate, no voice, no name that carries affection. But Jesus gives her one. With a single word—daughter—he restores what suffering has taken. He names her not by what she’s endured but by what she’s worth. This is more than a healing. It’s a royal decree. Her identity isn’t explained, earned, or negotiated. It is bestowed. This is how the Mercy King reigns: by restoring what has been stolen and naming those who feel forgotten. He does not merely heal bodies, he reclaims souls. He wields power not to dominate but to mend and make whole. Jairus’s need is no less urgent. His daughter is dying. A respected synagogue leader, he humbles himself before Jesus with a plea that sounds like both a father’s anguish and a disciple’s hope: “Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” Every second matters. He has rushed through the streets, Jesus by his side. And now, as Jesus stops to tend to another, Jairus waits— helpless, watching the clock. And then the news comes: “Your daughter is dead.” What must that moment have felt like? The urgency had been real. The hope had been fragile. And now it seemed too late. But Jesus operates on a different timeline, one in which delays are not denials but designs for deeper healing. By the time they reach the house, mourners are already weeping. When Jesus says, “The child is not dead but asleep,” they laugh. It sounds absurd. But Jesus sees what they cannot: Death is no match for his mercy. Only a King with cosmic authority can speak to death as though it were sleep. Jesus doesn’t panic; he commands. His calm isn’t indifference, it’s sovereignty wrapped in love. He reigns over time, over decay, and even over the grave. This scene echoes the grief and disorientation many of us feel in our own seasons of suffering. When God delays, when prayers go unanswered, when hope dims, we wonder whether he cares at all. The silence can feel unbearable. In moments like these we may resonate not with the heroes of faith but with those like Job’s wife. After losing ten children in a single day, she cries out in anguish, “Curse God and die!” Her words are often judged harshly, but who could endure such loss without despair? Her pain is real. Her lament, raw. And while her words may falter, they reflect a wound that the Mercy King understands. A surprising and sobering example of feeling abandoned by God in the midst of deep faith can be found in the life of Mother Teresa. Known around the world for her tireless work among the poor in Calcutta, she privately carried a burden few knew about— a heavy and prolonged sense of spiritual emptiness. In letters to her spiritual advisors, published after her death, she describes what she calls a “dark night of the soul,” marked by years of sensing God’s absence. “I feel that God does not want me, that God is not God, and that he does not really exist,” she once wrote. For Mother Teresa, the silence wasn’t occasional, it was constant. She longed for Jesus’ presence, yet often encountered only a sense of distance and void. It felt at times as though Christ had hidden his face. And yet in the absence of emotional reassurance, she continued to pray, serve, and persevere. Her life became a quiet, unwavering witness to a faith that often shines brightest not in clarity but in darkness. Even in her struggle, she found a kind of fellowship with Christ—not through relief or resolution but through shared suffering. Her ache echoed Jesus’ cry on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Identifying with that cry, she discovered a mysterious solidarity, a deeper connection with the one who bore abandonment for our sakes. Her story reminds us that faith is not always accompanied by felt assurance. Sometimes it looks like showing up, loving others, and holding on, especially when God feels silent. Mother Teresa’s perseverance bears witness to this: that Christ’s redeeming love will ultimately transform all sorrow, even when it seems hidden in the moment. This is the paradox of faith: It endures even when it cannot feel. And the question it leaves us with is this: When we face our own dark nights of the soul, will we press into God, or will we pull away? To live in despair or to die in unbelief is a tragedy far deeper than suffering itself. When we place conditions on our faith, expecting God to meet our expectations before we extend trust, we risk disillusionment. We begin to relate to him not as children but as consumers. It’s like a child at the doctor’s office. Imagine them squirming and crying as a parent gently restrains them so a nurse can administer a shot. In that moment, the child feels confused, maybe even betrayed. Why would someone who loves them allow this pain? But the parent knows this brief sting is a small price for something far greater: health, protection, long- term good. In the same way, our suffering may feel like abandonment, but often it is love we don’t yet understand. God is not indifferent. When it seems like God is holding us down or holding us back, in reality he is simply holding us—often unseen, always securely. What feels like absence will in time reveal itself as a deeper presence. We may think he is doing too little. But he is doing far more than we can comprehend. Taken from The Mercy King: How the Kindness of Jesus Heals Your Sin, Shame, and Weakness by Scott Sauls.

Worldly self-esteem bases your worth on appearance, possessions, and accomplishments. Whether high or low, this kind of esteem is prideful, focuses on self, and doesn’t add value to your life. It minimizes your potential for growth and influence. On the other hand, self-image based upon the value God has placed on you is Christ-centered and goes far beyond what you can dream or imagine. If you are a believer who wants to be a leader, you must live as someone valued by God. So, how can you increase your Christ-centered self-image? Look to the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In it, he gives three reasons you are valuable to God, five truths to know, and five things to do: Why You Are Valuable to God 1. You are valuable because of who you are. You are made in God’s image, according to His likeness (Genesis 1:26). A long time ago, even before God created you and before He created this universe, you were the focus of His love. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4). 2. You are valuable because of what you cost. As one loved by God, you have also been chosen by God for “adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself” (Ephesians 1:5). This adoption came at a high price, the death of His Son. “He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:6, 7). 3. You are valuable because of what you can become. As a person who is loved by God and adopted into His family, you can be sure that God has a plan for your life: “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:11, 12). What to Know The value God has placed on you is the value you should place on yourself. You can live as someone valued by God when you know these vital truths. 1. Christ wants to have a relationship with you. When Paul prayed that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17), he wasn’t referring to something temporary. Jesus wants to live and relate with you permanently. 2. You can experience Christ’s extravagant love. As if being pursued relationally by the Son of God isn’t enough, even more amazing is the fact that He wants you to know and experience the “width and length and depth and height” (Ephesians 3:18) of His love! 3. You can live a full and fulfilled life. Jesus wants you to “be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19) and came that you might have life more abundantly (John 10:10). 4. God’s power is not limited. He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). 5. God can do a great work within you. This divine love and power that exceeds your imagination works in you (Ephesians 3:20) because His Spirit strengthens you and Christ lives in you. You cannot help seeing yourself as valuable when you really know these truths. But don’t stop there. To live as someone valued by God, you must do something with that knowledge. What to Do 1. Discover your spiritual path and start moving. Paul beseeched believers “to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1). Be intentional about living a life that matches who you are by virtue of your relationship with Christ. 2. Be humble and disciplined. Cultivate Jesus’ attitude of humility (Ephesians 4:2) by putting others before yourself and following through with what you start. 3. Experience community. Serve one another and stay together. You will feel more valuable when you work to add value to others’ lives and “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). 4. Use your unique gifts. Followers of Christ are “one body” who belong to “one Lord” and “one God and Father” (Ephesians 4:4-6), but that doesn’t mean we’re all supposed to look, speak, and act alike. God has made you unique, and He has given you unique gifts to influence others and add value to their lives. 5. Keep growing. God wants you to “grow up in all things into Him” (Ephesians 4:15). Satisfaction with the status quo always leads to stagnation. Until the day you die, you have the potential to keep growing, leading, making a difference in this world, and adding value to others’ lives. That starts by believing and living as someone valued by God. You matter. You have value. Start living like it today and never stop. By John C. Maxwell. By John Maxwell, from the NIV Maxwell Leadership Bible

Both hands are skilled in doing evil;the ruler demands gifts,the judge accepts bribes,the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together.The best of them is like a brier,the most upright worse than a thorn hedge.The day God visits you has come,the day your watchmen sound the alarm.Now is the time of your confusion. Micah 7:3–4 The final chapter of Micah paints a dim picture of Israel. The people couldn’t be trusted, but lay in wait to use, abuse, and destroy each other. Micah 7:3–4 tells us why this happened: poor leadership at the top. The rulers, princes and judges worked for kickbacks and bribes. They schemed how they could beat the system and better their own status. They expected the people to serve them instead of them serving the people. When leaders fail to practice servant leadership, inevitably they become self-serving. Without a compelling cause to better mankind, all leaders find a cause to serve their own interests. This self-service eventually becomes a thorn in their leadership. As Responsibilities Increase, Rights Decrease Here is a principle that cuts against every natural instinct leaders have: the higher you rise, the more you owe. The more people who follow you, the more people you are called to serve. The world tells us that power is something to be accumulated and protected. But Jesus turned that idea completely upside down. The Old Testament uses several Hebrew terms that we translate as “servant,” each one presenting a slightly different picture of the heart of a servant. What can we learn from these terms? Plenty. Jesus forever linked leadership with servanthood (Matthew 20:25–28): Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Notice what Jesus did not say. He didn’t say, “Try to be a little more helpful.” He didn’t offer a minor adjustment to the leadership models of his day. He issued a complete reversal. Greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured by how well you serve—not by how many serve you. Let’s take a moment to discover what we might learn about servant leadership from some of these ancient Hebrew words: 1. Ebed: a love-slave or servant. This term describes someone who is at the complete disposal of another (Deuteronomy 15:12–18). Likewise, leaders must be at the disposal of the Lord and their people. 2. Abad: one who gives up personal rights in order to work in the fields or tabernacle (Numbers 18:7, 23). In a similar way, leaders must sacrifice their rights and stay surrendered to the cause. 3. Sakyir: a hired servant who works for pay, by day or by year (Leviticus 25:39–42). A leader must avoid the perspective of a “paid professional.” 4. Sharath: someone who will perform menial tasks to accomplish an overall goal (Exodus 28:35–43). Leaders must do whatever it takes to serve the mission. The Question We All Must Answer The leaders in Micah’s day had answers for everything—except the most important question: Who am I here to serve? They filled their own storehouses while the people suffered. They built their own reputations while justice crumbled. And God noticed. He always does. The good news for us is that we don’t have to follow their example. The leaders of Israel in Micah’s time chose the path of self-interest, and it cost them everything. As Christians, we are called to choose differently. We have Jesus, who modeled it perfectly. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist, knelt on the floor, and washed the feet of twelve ordinary men. The King of Kings took the posture of the lowest household servant. If our Lord could wash His disciples’ feet as a lowly sharath, then how could we frown at becoming an ebed? Drawn from content by John C. Maxwell in the NIV Maxwell Leadership Bible.

The new heaven and the new earth haven’t been ushered in yet. So when believers die now, where do they go? When Jesus was being crucified, one of the criminals being executed with him said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42–43). Jesus assured the man that he’d be with him in paradise that very same day. So when people who love Jesus die, they go to be with Jesus—immediately. The heaven they go to isn’t the same as the new heaven and the new earth. In his book, Heaven, author Randy Alcorn calls it a “present heaven.” In John’s vision of this present heaven in Revelation 6:9–11, he saw “the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained” (Revelation 6:9). These martyrs were asking God how long it would be until he avenged their deaths. Notably, they were with God, yet aware of what was happening on earth and able to remember their lives there. This raises the question: Can people truly be in “heaven” if they’re aware of bad stuff that’s taking place on earth? It’s worth noting that God won’t wipe away his people’s tears until he ushers in the new heaven and the new earth (see Revelation 21:3–4). While the place where believers are now isn’t the same as the new heaven and the new earth, it’s a place so good that Jesus called it “paradise.” There’s much we can’t know for certain, but one thing we know for sure: believers who have died are with God. They’re with Jesus. And that’s a beautiful place to be. Is the New Heaven and New Earth One Place or Two? While there’s a lot of mystery about what comes next, the book of Revelation tells us that after God purifies the earth, he will restore heaven and earth. In the apostle John’s vision, he “saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1). Heaven and earth, once separate, will merge into one. And the new Jerusalem—a city said to be 1,400 miles long, wide and high (see Revelation 21:16)—is a perfect cube, just like the Most Holy Place in the temple (see Exodus 26:2–8; 1 Kings 6:20), the place where God’s presence dwelled. This city will come down “out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The Bride of Christ This may raise the question for you—how can the new Jerusalem come down from heaven dressed as a bride? Aren’t we Jesus’ bride? In ancient times, a new home was an important part of a new couple’s married life. After a man and woman became engaged, the groom-to-be would go and prepare a place for them to live, usually an addition built on to his father’s house. The groom would make their future home as nice as possible—he’d dress it up—for his bride-to-be. Once the dwelling was finished, the groom would go get the bride, they’d get married, and then he’d bring her back to the place he had built for them. Jesus used this same kind of imagery in John 14:2–3. We are his bride, and he’s preparing a place for us. As Jesus’ bride, we’ll live with him in the new earth he has taken great care to “dress up” and prepare for us (see Revelation 3:12). Then, like at ancient weddings, there will be a huge party (Revelation 19:9). We’ll celebrate with our Groom and the new life we get to live with him in our new home forever. Face to Face with God In Old Testament times, people knew that God was so holy and their sin was so evil that no person could see him and live. During tabernacle/temple times, only one Israelite (the high priest) was allowed to pass through the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place and enter God’s presence —and only once a year. Generations of Israelites were born and died without ever being directly in God’s presence. But after God resurrects us and rids the universe of evil, he’ll fully welcome us to live in his presence. What was once so unreal that it could never happen will become our reality every day. Job caught a glimpse of this hope long ago and declared: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another” (Job 19:25–27). One day you will see God’s face; you will talk to him. Although God is a spirit, he will be fully present with you, and you will see him with your own eyes (see Psalm 17:15; Revelation 22:4). Whatever keeps us from sensing his constant presence on the fallen earth will be absent from the new earth. What we call “prayer” on the fallen earth will be a completely un-hindered two-way conversation with God wherever we are on the new earth—or wherever we are in the entire universe. There will be no more wondering if he’s listening to you—you’ll know and see that he most definitely is. He’ll be as present to you as the air that surrounds you. And he’ll be that close forever. Prayer Prompts Ask Jesus to help you remember and be inspired by the truth that when believers die, they go to be with him. Ask God to help you live in his love that is founded by the desire to be close to you—forever. For Reflection What are some things you are looking forward to about the new home Jesus is preparing for you? Drawn from content in the NIV Read. Think. Live. Bible.