When viewed in the context of the entire book, Paul's well-known instructions to husbands and wives in Ephesians 5 is perfectly consistent with the self-giving, servant-conformed heart to which God calls his children.

When Abraham stepped out in faith in order to be a blessing to all the families of the earth, he provided a powerful picture of how families of faith in Christ can be a blessing just as they have been blessed.

While the ending of Mark's Gospel at 16:8 does seem abrupt, in light of the book's structure and intent, it's abruptness can be understood as a call to the reader to respond to the risen Jesus.

The darkness that surrounded the cross of Jesus was a darkness behind which God hid his face, causing Jesus to cry out with feelings of abandonment. But the actions of two Marys and a man named Joseph remind us that we must press on with faith in the midst of the darkness.

Mark's account of the suffering and death of Jesus reminds us that in spite of ridicule all around, Jesus submitted to the cross because of his incomparable love for those lost.

Matthew's Gospel give us a clear picture of both the misunderstandings about following Jesus, but also the realilty of that call by one who is Master over all things.

While "training" may be a word more associated with things of sports than things of the Spirit, Paul's call to Timothy to "train yourself for godliness is a call to all believers to live everyday, in every way, for God through Christ.

Even though we so often pursue many other prizes, the Apostle Paul describes the ultimate prize as knowing Jesus Christ in the everyday, the essence of true victory.

The fact that God is all-powerful ultimately points us to the reality that he in complete control of all things.

The inexhaustible wisdom of God should cause is to trust that he knows best, even in the worst of times.