When Jesus tells the disciples in John 14:1, to “believe in God” it is not a challenge to come to God in salvation; He is calling them to an ongoing trust in Him. The trouble in their heart was that they were questioning the goodness of God and His ability to do what is best for them. Our faith is shaken when we do not understand what God is doing and when His plan for us, does not follow our expectations. The Bible calls us to believe God no matter where that call leads us. It is a call to trust that He knows what is going on in our lives and around us, and that He is working those things out to accomplish His purposes. When we are in the storms of life, we need to take our eyes off the pounding of the waves, and keep them on the One who guides us through those waves to a safe haven. … READ MORE

n John 14:1 we are instructed by Christ to “Stop allowing your hearts to be troubled. For the disciples, the last few days had been an emotional roller coaster. Their fervent messianic hopes had reached an apex during the triumphal entry – only to be dashed when Jesus publicly announced His impending death in John 12:24. The concept of a dying Messiah had no place in their theology, and they were no doubt unsettled because they sensed that the Lord was leaving them. Jesus knew the disciples’ hearts and He understood their confusion and concerns, and he tells them to stop allowing their hearts to become overwhelmed by the immediate circumstances that they were facing. How do we stop this struggle in our hearts? It begins by remembering the truth of our situation. We need to focus on the truth which is external to our circumstances, and not to the emotions brought about by our current conditions. Jesus will remind us that He is the truth (John 14:6) and that He will show us the way. Our lives are hidden in Him, and we do not need to fear. There is no circumstance that comes into our lives that is … READ MORE

Life in this fallen, sin-cursed world is packed with trouble and trials. Instead of pretending they do not exist, Scripture faces the hardships of life directly. God initially comforts His people by granting them forgiveness, salvation, and the Holy Spirit. Yet God not only promises comfort to those who follow Him in the future, but also in the trials and difficulties of this present life. IN the most beloved of Psalms, David wrote confidently “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). As we enter a new year, we are reminded that it comes with the hope of things better, but it also comes with the struggles of things unseen. Through all the events that 2022 brings into our life, we can find peace and comfort in the reality that Christ’s presence is always with us. On the night before His death, Jesus addressed the 11 disciples in the upper room, and sought to comfort them in the face of His departure. And tells the disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, and believe … READ MORE