Unlocked Archives

  • September 30, 2022

    Have you ever felt like an outsider because of your faith? Maybe people judge you, or even avoid you, because you are a Christian. Sometimes, it feels like having faith is a burden—especially when you're striving to act the right way in the midst of temptations and distractions. It's hard when others misunderstand you, and [...]

  • September 28, 2022

    When life starts to get crazy, sometimes we dart between one task and the next. When you get toward the end of the school year and there is a lot you need to accomplish, or when you're at work and your shift is about to be done but you haven't finished everything you need to, [...]

  • September 26, 2022

    What does it mean when Jesus called Himself the vine? He gave His disciples this picture on the night before He went to the cross, saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5). Jesus as the vine is a great metaphor for our relationship to our Savior. Jesus being our vine means [...]

  • September 24, 2022

    To be in the shadow of God is everything. This world is a scary place; there are so many rules, expectations, and dangers waiting for us around every bend. It's more than scary—it's paralyzing. Like a deer in oncoming headlights, instead of escaping to safety, we might freeze and feel the full impact of the [...]

  • September 22, 2022

    God created the changing seasons Colored leaves, sunny skies So much autumn beauty I look at it and wonder, “how small am I?” But God sees me in the beauty I'm not too small for Him He created each unique leaf And in me, a light that will not dim God knows what is best [...]

  • September 20, 2022

    I'm twenty-six years old, and I wish I had known sooner that God wasn't the maker of my depression. When ninth grade rolled around, I faced depression like I never had before. I didn't think I could experience such strong and unsettling emotions while being a follower of Jesus. The part that confused me most [...]

  • September 18, 2022

    For as long as I can remember, I've loved stained glass windows. When sunbeams reach through colored glass and paint the room with rainbows, something inside me stirs. These mosaics of color awaken my heart to wonder. I think beauty draws us closer to the heart of God. Something inside us craves beauty, and if [...]

  • September 16, 2022

    Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to make an important decision, but you weren't sure how to go about it? Do you sometimes fear that taking a wrong path would cost you—maybe jeopardizing your happiness or your relationships—and yet you're not sure of the right path to take? Often times, we [...]

  • September 14, 2022

    In James 3, we are given metaphors for what our "tongue" (or the words we say) is like. James says our words have inherent power, and that power can be used either for good or evil. He explains the power of the tongue with two analogies: the bridle of a horse (verse 3) and the [...]

  • September 12, 2022

    Not everyone has great parents. Not everyone has a family history they are proud of. If that's you, know this: God loves you no matter who your parents are. They might be criminals. They might be people you aren't proud of and never want to be like. But if you've put your trust in Jesus, [...]