Haven Today

Suffering is part of life. But for the Christian, God wants to redeem those trials to make us more like Jesus. We can't do it on our own, which is why we need to look to the face of Jesus.

When life feels good, we might assume we're experiencing the goodness of God. That's not wrong. But what about when hardship, trials, and suffering come?

Is suffering meaningless? It can feel that way, especially when you're struggling to see beyond pain or heartache. But the Bible speaks a better word: in Christ, there is a purpose for your suffering.

Do you want to be strong in your walk with Christ, a mature believer, with wisdom and encouragement to bless others? The road that will take you there might be surprising. It’s the path of suffering.

Daily prayer and Bible reading are areas in which most Christians would like to grow. But what about other spiritual disciplines, like fasting?

Motivation determines success in self-disciplines like healthy habits and study, and even more so in the pursuit of godliness, as shown in 1 Timothy 4.

How do Christians grow in godliness? That’s a spiritual question the Bible answers clearly and speaks to frequently. The question is, are we listening and are we willing to heed the call?

They call it the ten-thousand-hour rule: it takes years of practice to master something, but does that apply to the Christian life?

Practice makes perfect, they say. Top-level musicians and elite athletes know how important practice is, but how about for living the Christian life?

Paul’s teachings to the early church are just as relevant today. This final episode focuses on the doctrine of union with Christ and how God’s grace directs us to live faithfully every day.

Treating symptoms without addressing the root cause won’t bring healing. The same is true for modern culture. Thankfully, God’s Word offers both the diagnosis and the cure.

Where are we, where are we going, and how did we get here? These are critical questions for understanding our world—this cultural moment—and yet few can answer all three.

What makes a man a man and a woman a woman? It used to be obvious, but today's culture has changed. These conversations are harder now, which is why we need greater understanding and biblical clarity.

"You do you." "Be true to yourself." "Live your truth." These are common expressions in today's culture, but how do they stand up in light of Scripture?

When Jesus’ glory was revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration, the Father’s voice said, "Listen to him." This is, in a sense, the greatest commandment.

God’s Word is truth and tells us the truth about Him, our world, and ourselves. Jesus said, 'I am the truth.' Likewise, His people are called not to bear false witness.

The Ten Commandments are more than a cultural fixture or moral foundation; they reveal two things every person needs to see: their sin and the Lord Jesus.

The primary impact of the Ten Commandments in the life of a Christian should be to overwhelm us with the glory of Christ and lead us to fall down before Him in worship.

Lilias Trotter could have been one of England's greatest artists, but she chose the narrow road with Christ instead. Join special guest Miriam Rockness as she shares Lilias' inspiring story.

A tree and a kingdom—these themes intertwine from Genesis to Revelation. In Matthew’s Gospel, a "kingdom tree" stands at the heart of Jesus’ parables, pointing to a larger story.

What’s the most valuable thing you possess? That depends on what you value most, but is it all relative? Jesus says no; there is, in fact, something more valuable than anything else.

The Gospel means, literally, good news. And Jesus preached the good news that the Kingdom of Heaven had now come in Him. Yet his message didn’t sound like good news to many who heard it. Why is that?

Why does the same Gospel message penetrate the heart of one person but not another? And for the Christian, why is spiritual growth such an uphill battle?

The Kingdom of Heaven—that’s what Jesus came preaching, according to Matthew’s Gospel. It’s a topic so big that everything Jesus taught fits under that header. So, what is the Kingdom of Heaven?

The cost of following Jesus is great, but the reward of knowing Him is greater. That’s His promise and the testimony of those who have gone before us. We need to listen.

What difference does Jesus make? It’s more than securing a place in heaven for the one who believes. His presence changes everything, even today. So, what does it look like to seek His presence?

What’s truly worthy of your life? What’s worth giving up good things for, so you can devote yourself to that one thing? That question can be paralyzing, but beholding Jesus by faith changes everything

Her potential for greatness was self-evident. Even in Victorian England, her work was turning heads, but her eyes were fixed on a greater glory. Lilias took another path and worked for a better prize.

Lilias Trotter could have been England’s greatest artist, but she chose the narrow road with Christ, pursuing His calling instead.

"For our good and His glory." That’s more than a standard Christian answer; it’s Gospel truth about God’s purposes in all things.

Will your anchor hold in life’s greatest storms? Out on the water, you’re at the mercy of forces far greater than yourself, which is why we become most aware of our need in those moments.

Following Jesus leads to joy, but those who follow Him will also suffer various kinds of grief. However, God’s Word promises that our future joy will be far greater.

Christians grieve differently. Is that too bold of a statement? All people grieve, no matter what they believe. But when someone dies in Christ, God’s Word offers hope that makes all the difference.

Grief is common to all humanity, and yet unique for every person. The world offers little hope, but Christians can grieve differently.

Living for Christ is like running a race; the Bible is clear on that. But it’s a different sort of race. It’s not about beating the competition but winning the prize. It’s a race we run by faith.

Where are you now? That’s helpful to know, but it’s only meaningful if you know where you’ve been and where you’re going. We’re not talking about a road trip, but the Christian life.

Gold implies prestige and success, but an Olympic gold medal means even more. For some athletes, it validates their career and identity, but not for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

What’s the basis of a strong Christian testimony? It’s not how impressive the person is, but how impressed they are with Jesus.

Elite athletes can do amazing things and are often put on a pedestal. Yet, they are people too—sinners in need of a Savior.

Stories of victory are what most people want to hear from the Olympics. Yet sometimes it’s the stories of loss that we can relate to more.

When the nations gather in the Bible, it’s often to oppose what God is doing. At the Olympics, nations gather to compete.

People called him the Flying Scotsman. Eric Liddell won gold 100 years ago this month, but his greatest challenges were yet to come.

As the Olympic Games begin, one can't help but remember the man from Scotland who ran a hundred years ago. Chariots of Fire gave him a legacy, but Eric Liddell ran for God's glory.

Every nation, tribe, and tongue, gathered together as one people. No, it’s not the Olympics. It’s the finish line of the Great Commission. Sometimes we get a foretaste of what’s to come.

Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It’s bigger, it’s better, and it’s a gift from God to all who belong to Christ. In God’s Word, there are three specific ways Jesus gives us peace.

The Great Commission—those final words of Jesus before His ascension—have fueled the mission of the church for centuries. But what does that look like today? And how does it impact each of us?

With the Great Commission, Jesus commanded His followers to live on mission and reach the world with the Gospel. Not only did He promise to go with us, He’s even gone ahead of us.

They were cannibals and headhunters. In their culture, treachery was idealized, they lived in fear, and had never heard the name of Jesus. Not until two missionaries came with a small baby, and made their home among them.

Fear of God and fear of man are two sides of a tug-of-war battle in the heart of every Christian. This struggle will last a lifetime, but not without progress and never without hope.

The Apostle Peter did mighty things in God’s kingdom. But he often struggled with the fear of man just like so many of us do today, but that wasn’t the end of his story.