The most unique sentence in all of history was given by judge Pontius Pilate to Jesus of Nazareth. It was an unjust sentence. The decisions we make every day are not unlike the selfish choice that he made years ago.

Many people criticize today that the church is full of hypocrites, so they won’t attend. Rather than spending our time answering the criticisms, our time would be better spent trying to develop authenticity.

After the bonding experience of the Upper Room, Jesus led his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer. It was here that Jesus poured out his heart to the Father and received strength to endure the cross. And it is here that he gives us an example of what effective prayer is all about.

Jesus was keenly aware of the importance of the time he spent with his disciples in that upper room the night before his arrest. It was a night that served to bind his disciples into a close-knit group and cement them together in a strong type of love that no adversity, not even death, would be able to separate.

Peace isn't merely the prize we want to win in our battle against anxiety—it's the weapon God offers us to secure true victory. With the Lord of perfect peace defending us, we are safe to lay our anxious thoughts at His feet.

Freedom from anxiety isn't found in a quick fix, but in ongoing trust and faithfulness. Jesus invites us to relinquish control of our lives, humbly submitting our fears to the One who holds the universe in His hand.