As I was reading today's Abide Above devotional by Miles Stanford, I was reminded of the days when I would ask the Lord, What does it mean to truly rest in You? For some of my Christian friends, the idea of resting in Christ conjured images of passivity: Kick back, lay your problems at the foot of the cross, and let Jesus handle it. But I’ve learned through Scripture that nothing could be further from the truth. Resting in Christ is one of the most active, intentional acts of faith we can practice. It’s not idleness; it’s complete and utter reliance—a confident trust in the One who works all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

I’ve shared before about my Jordan River moment—the night I trusted God in a way I never had before. It was the first step into the abundant life, believing that His promises were true and living as though they applied to me. That step changed everything. Yet, looking back, I realize how much easier it would have been to trust Him if I had truly known Him—not just facts about Him, but the infinite depths of His character.

The question of why an all-knowing, omniscient God would create a world filled with suffering is among the most profound challenges to faith. It touches the heart of human existence and the nature of God Himself. For believers and skeptics alike, this question demands thoughtful reflection and a compassionate, Scripture-informed response. Let’s explore this question, seeking to understand God’s purposes and character as revealed in His Word.

Have you ever felt stuck in your faith journey? You know the truth of Scripture intellectually, you believe Jesus has saved you, and you want to walk in the newness of life He offers—but somehow, it doesn’t feel real. I’ve been there. For so long, I found myself longing for joy and peace, yet trapped in a cycle of depression and anxiety.

I believed the gospel and loved the idea of Jesus, but it wasn’t until a specific night that I came to know the Person of Jesus in a way that transformed everything. It was as though I finally stepped into the truth of my union with Him—not just in my mind, but in my heart.

During my time in seminary, one particular moment marked a turning point in my walk with God. I had been assigned to read The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer—a book I knew would be insightful, but I had no idea how deeply it would change my understanding of God and my ability to trust Him.

Have you ever felt the weight of being told, “Just trust God!” only to realize you don’t really know how? Trusting God is foundational to our faith, but how can we trust Him if we don’t truly know Him—not just know about Him, but relationally know Him?

There’s a difference between gathering information about God and encountering Him in a way that transforms our hearts. Knowing God relationally is the key to trust.

Have you ever felt like your faith journey is an exhausting back-and-forth—believing one moment and doubting the next? You know the evidence is there: God’s existence, the resurrection of Christ, and His promises. Yet, it still doesn’t seem to reach your heart. You’re left wondering, Why can’t I just trust Him fully?

Journaling can sometimes feel like a daunting task—what do I write, and why does it matter? But when seen through the lens of our life in Christ, journaling becomes something entirely different. It’s not just a discipline or a hobby; it’s a sacred space to explore the fullness of who we are in Him and to experience His life flowing through us.

Debates between skeptics and Christians often center around resolving perceived difficulties in the Bible—moral objections to God’s actions in the Old Testament, alleged contradictions, and questions about faith and evidence. These conversations are valuable, but they often feel like two sides talking past each other, with neither party fully addressing the heart of the matter.

I’ve been thinking about the questions you’ve raised about the Bible—its challenges, its apparent contradictions, and especially your concerns about the actions of God in the Old Testament. I appreciate your honesty in grappling with these issues, and I want to acknowledge how deeply these questions matter. But as I’ve reflected, I’ve come to believe that the heart of the issue isn’t the specific actions or teachings in Scripture. The deeper question is this: Are you willing to approach the God of the Bible for who He is, rather than who you think He should be?

When was the last time you saw a rainbow? Maybe it stopped you in your tracks for a moment—its beauty, its unexpected appearance after the storm. But beyond being a stunning natural phenomenon, the rainbow carries a deeper meaning. In Genesis 9:13, God gave the rainbow as a sign of His covenant, His unchanging promise to Noah and all of creation. It was a symbol of His faithfulness—a reminder that even after judgment, God’s mercy and steadfast love prevail.

Life often brings us questions that cut to the heart of our faith. One of the most significant questions we face as believers is: How do I truly surrender to God on a daily basis? It’s a question that reveals a desire to move beyond mere belief into the lived reality of trust, dependence, and peace in Christ.

There’s a deep longing in every human heart to understand the “why” behind life’s events. This yearning emerges most intensely during times of suffering, tragedy, or uncertainty. Why did this happen? Why is life so difficult? Why does evil persist? These questions are not just intellectual—they come from the depths of our souls, seeking meaning, purpose, and resolution.

Why do we feel such a need to know “why”? Let’s explore this yearning from a biblical perspective, uncovering its roots and its ultimate answer.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul delivers a truth that carries both privilege and responsibility: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?” This profound statement reframes how we view our physical bodies—not as our own, but as sanctuaries where the Spirit of God dwells.

There’s a particular comment made by Alex O’Connor, the Cosmic Skeptic, that has stayed with me. Reflecting on the psalmist’s assertion that he couldn’t escape God’s presence, Alex lamented that all he wanted was to find God, but he couldn’t. When I first heard those words, my heart sank. I couldn’t help but cry for him—not in pity, but in deep empathy, because I remember my own time before discovering the exchanged life. I, too, knew the ache of longing for God and feeling like He was nowhere to be found.

One of the most freeing truths in the Christian life is found in the way the Apostle Paul describes offering ourselves to God in Romans 6 and Romans 12. While these passages are connected, they highlight different aspects of our relationship with God, pointing us toward a life rooted in Christ and lived out in His strength, not our own.

Dear Friend

Thank you for sharing your reflections and journey so openly. It’s clear you’ve given this topic significant thought and prayer, and your desire to honor God in every aspect of life is evident. Wrestling with complex theological questions like these can feel overwhelming, especially when they touch on our identity, relationships, and how we serve in the church.

You’ve raised important questions about what Scripture teaches regarding the roles of men and women, particularly in ministry and marriage. These are not new debates, but they remain deeply relevant because they affect how we relate to God, each other, and the church body. Let’s thoughtfully address some of your points together.

Bill Freeman’s The Supplied Life offers a deep reflection on Ephesians 5:18: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled in spirit” (NASB). This verse, packed with spiritual significance, calls believers to experience the fullness of Christ through the continuous filling of the Spirit. Freeman’s insights into the grammar of this verse reveal the means by which we can live in the shining presence of Christ daily.

The idea of perfection can often become a stumbling block in the Christian life. We might assume God is working to make us paragons of virtue, pristine examples of holiness to inspire others. Yet, as Oswald Chambers poignantly reminds us, God is not interested in making us specimens of perfection for display. His ultimate purpose is relational: to bring us into a deep, abiding oneness with Him, as Jesus prayed in John 17:22: “That they may be one as we are one.”

As followers of Christ, we are called to grow continually in our relationship with Him. This growth involves relying on His grace and immersing ourselves in His word. Acts 14:21-22 describes Paul and his missionary team returning to cities where they had preached the gospel, urging the disciples to "continue in the faith." This message still resonates with us today: to persevere in the truth revealed by God, which is foundational for a life of grace.