Lee Ann Mancini: Apologetics Given with Love is the Best Defense
What is apologetics? It means having a reasoned defense for what and why we believe in any particular religious doctrine. …
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Stephanie Pavlantos: The Struggle is Real
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 When is the last time you had a good fight? Not a fight with your spouse, or your kids, or even a friend, but against the forces of darkness? Wow, you weren’t expecting that, right? Over the last few months, I have heard from … Continue reading →
Evelyn Mason Wells: The Fruit of Gentleness
Gentleness is sometimes translated as “meekness.” We often think of meekness as weakness, but they are not the same thing. Being gentle or meek is to act with humility, using restrained behavior in our interaction with others. As we talk to other people about our faith, God wants us to do so with kindness. When we take on the nature of Jesus, we take on His gentleness. …
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Stephanie Pavlantos: The Offering
If you had lived in the Garden of Eden, what do you think your offering or gift to God would’ve looked like? Would the offering have been the most beautiful flowers from your flower garden, or vegetables from your vegetable garden, or maybe the most perfect animal you raised? Have you ever thought about why God had a problem with Cain’s offering in Genesis 4? Why did He react one way towards Abel’s gift and the opposite towards Cain’s? What … Continue reading →
Evelyn Mason Wells: Mountaintop and Valley Living
No matter how much we would like to constantly dwell on the mountaintop, God won’t let us. We need the valleys. That is where we learn to depend on God. The valleys we go through provide lessons we need to learn. …
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Stephanie Pavlantos: Wounded
We’ve all experienced wounds–whether from sports, accidents, or abnormal growths– and had to have a doctor or surgeon intervene in order for us to heal properly. It’s especially hard when it’s your child or pet going through something like this. …
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Evelyn Mason Wells: He Is… Our Salvation and Power
The devil not only did not defeat God, he could not even defeat God’s angels…
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Stephanie Pavlantos: Happiness is…
For some time now, we have been looking into the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. The other day, I read Psalm 32 and noticed it begins with the same wording as Matthew 5. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. PSALM 32:1-2 ESV While looking for a commentary about these verses, I came across an … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: Happy are the Pursued…
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. MATTHEW 5:10-11 ESV Years ago, a recruiter contacted me because he saw my resume online. He called asking me to come in for an interview for a state-of-the-art histology lab in Cleveland–even offering me the salary I desired. This company pursued me for my skills. … Continue reading →
Evelyn Mason Wells: The Foot Washing
Paulina’s act of mercy was the result of her love for God and her love for David, who had ministered among the people of Maranatha twice a year for a long time. …
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Stephanie Pavlantos: Shalom
How blessed are those who make peace! For they will be called sons of God. MATTHEW 5:9 CJB I am a middle child. I have three older sisters and two younger ones. My eldest sister, Cindy, is nine years older than me, while my youngest sister, Melanie, is nine years younger. The term most often applied to middle children is peacemakers. That was my role as a child in our loud and sometimes chaotic family. I hated conflict and strove … Continue reading →