Most of us equate the concept of study with the subjects we focused on in school. However, when we closely observe anything in our world, we are involved in study. As believers, we must focus our study on what God has given us ... His Word and His creation. In doing so, our lives will point to Him.

While fasting isn't mandated for the church today, it was practiced by the early church and was clearly valued as a way of implementing self denial in the pursuit of a closer relationship with God. Rather than assume God doesn't want us to fast, we should be open to this ancient spiritual discipline and allow Him to lead us into it as we seek Him.

The disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." Our Savior responded with a model prayer, and walking through that prayer will guide us into developing a strong habit of engaging in conversation with God.

In the kingdom of God, meditation is focused on the Word of God. Rob Ely of Baptist Campus Ministries shares the why and how of meditating on the Word, and the importance of abiding in Christ.

Change begins when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change. As we focus on biblical people who sought the Lord for needed change in their lives and in their culture, we will draw inspiration from their choice to surrender to God.

With the launch of this series, we begin to rebuild. We begin to rebuild our faith, to rebuild our families and rebuild our church. It starts with the foundation of the Gospel, and that foundation is formed around the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

What does Jesus look like? Many have attempted to create renderings of his appearance, but there is no way for us to know for sure the nature of his physical appearance. What we do know is, even though we have never physically seen him, we believe. This is what it means to have faith.

As we finish our journey through Revelation, we seek to understand the message of "the time is near" in light of the reality that it's been almost 2,000 years since that message was given. Regardless of how long it will be until Jesus comes again, we find ourselves calling out with John, "Come, Lord Jesus!"

John is given a vision of a new heaven, a new earth and new Jerusalem. This city is so much more than just a new place ... it is created as the perfect environment for believers to have a perfect relationship with God the Father, and perfect relationships with others who have followed Him in faith. His work has already begun, however. We who believe are new creations through a relationship with Christ Jesus, and we grow in this as we establish relationships with others.

One day every human being will stand before the throne of God as we are judged. Only those who have their names written in the book of life will be granted an eternity with God forever, while those whose names are not in that book will be cast into a place of torment. Faith in Christ and in him alone will determine if your name is in that book.