Awake Us Now

Why would a good, all-powerful God allow suffering? The Bible sheds light on questions of suffering, love, and freedom of will.

The series "Unsheathing the Sword" is an in-depth, book-by-book journey through the entire Bible. Study materials for the course can be found on the "Bible Studies" page of our website (AwakeUsNow.com). Week 9 takes a look at the book of Joshua.

“Hypocrite.” This word is used a grand total of seventeen times in the entire New Testament — and Jesus is the only one who uses it. (Hint: He does not have a good opinion of hypocrites!)

The word Jesus uses is actually a technical term meaning actor. In Jesus’ vocabulary, a hypocrite is one who outwardly plays the part of a religious person to perfection, while inwardly having no genuine relationship with the Living God.

Some of the toughest words Jesus ever spoke were addressed to the religious leaders of the nation of Israel. Matthew 23 records many of these scathing indictments.

It would be a mistake to assume these words only applied to people living 2,000 years ago. Religious hypocrisy is alive and well today. Matthew 23 speaks powerfully to the current religious scene in America.

Is there such a thing as truth, and can it be known? Our culture says everything is relative, but the Biblical worldview says there is absolute truth revealed in a moral God who is restoring His image with a fallen human race.

The series "Unsheathing the Sword" is an in-depth, book-by-book journey through the entire Bible. Study materials for the course can be found on the "Bible Studies" page of our website (AwakeUsNow.com). Week 8 delves into the book of Deuteronomy.

Do you feel that God doesn't care about you? Actually, He desires that everyone, no matter how broken, comes to know Him. He really does care!

In a fear-filled world, faith in the Lord Jesus offers us shelter and peace. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1

The series "Unsheathing the Sword" is an in-depth, book-by-book journey through the entire Bible. Study materials for the course can be found on the "Bible Studies" page of our website (AwakeUsNow.com). Week 7 takes us into the book of Numbers.

Family traditions, handed down over generations—or recently established—can be a real blessing to young and old alike. They help us remember and celebrate the past and give reason to anticipate the future. On the other hand, some traditions can be spiritually deadly. Jesus highlighted the danger when He warned, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8) In Jesus’ day many religious people went through the motions of faith without truly practicing that faith. That kind of religious traditionalism is self-centered and arrogant. It mistakes religion for a genuine faith relationship with God. It is often easier to recognize the failures of the past than to identify today’s mistakes. “Traditions” applies the teachings of Jesus to our own day and calls us to a joyful relationship with the risen Jesus.

Forgiving those who have deeply hurt us is hard, but harboring the bitterness of unforgiveness is worse. Unforgiveness corrodes body and soul and cuts us off from God's healing power. God's love and forgiveness gives us the power to forgive others.