As far as you can see nothing but rocks, sand, and desert scrub. You’re walking with a crowd of the most unlikely sort. Noble Pharisees in their ornate robes with Roman soldiers in their faded red-purple cloaks followed by traitorous tax collectors in expensive jewels and last of all you. What has brought all these people together on such an inconvenient pilgrimage?

We’re in danger of the same apathy as the Israelites, though from a different perspective. It's been 2000 years since Jesus left and he’s still not back. We need Malachi’s message just as much as the Israelites did. We need to prepare to be purified.

December. Another year has come and gone. Another church year that is. But we’re only a month away from the new calendar year too. It’s now that time of year. It’s a time of celebrations… and a time of extra obligations, deadlines, and stress. What Jesus doesn’t want us to lose in all the commotion is that as another year draws to a close, we’re another year closer to the end. Not just the end of your life, as in, “you’re another year older.” We’re another year closer to the end of all things. That’s something to celebrate.

As Christians, followers of Christ who love their Lord, we are concerned with our King’s concerns. Jesus, our King, is concerned with the truth.

You’ve experienced the fear and anxiety—the walking on eggshells—that comes after you’ve done something wrong but before anyone else has found out. The burden of hiding guilt. Everyone on earth is looking for a cure to a guilty conscience.

Jesus teaches his disciples that it’s the same way when it comes to your offerings quality is better than quantity.

One day, you’re going to die. The question is: what are you going to do about it?

Neither Luther nor Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew if they were about to die or not. They didn’t know what future God had in store for them. But they knew God is worth dying for.

How do we love when matters of faith are on the line?

How do we love when matters of faith are on the line?