Seventh’s Time a Charm
The God of the universe—the one who made and commands it all—has invited you into His forever story. Your time on the Earth is short for now, but He is making all things new (Rev. 21:5) and there is nothing you can do to be separated from His love (Rom. 8:38-39).
Then There Was Spain
We as The Equipped family have had a regular conversation about how to use the World Cup to reach the nations for Jesus. Now, as teams and fans return to their respective home countries, let us reflect across all our varied nationalities on the ways in which we should carry out our common call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19).
Smoke and Tariffs
The smoke from raging Canadian wildfires covered large portions of the U.S. this week, with major cities including Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York City significantly impacted. The smoke was at times thick enough to shroud the skyline and dramatically reduce air quality, which led to many cancellations of outdoor events.
More Grace Than Cost
“I look at my life and I see more grace than cost, more gift than sacrifice.”
Three Things Every Group Needs
There are three things, by whatever name you call them, that a group must have to be successful. Every other aspect of the group dynamic can fall underneath one of these three areas.
The Supreme Court Restores the President’s Executive Power by Overruling Humphrey’s Executor
The Trump v. Slaughter case marks the collapse of Humphrey’s Executor precedent and re-establishes executive power, meaning that all principal officers who exercise executive power must remain removable by the President even if the statutory language under which such officers were appointed granted them protection against termination. The power to terminate or remove, residing in the President of the United States, constitutes an indispensable mechanism of presidential supervision and democratic accountability.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham Dies
We reflect on this truth nearly every week: Life on Earth is short, but eternity is forever.
All My People
God is not asking for your assessment nor mine. He’s asking for your trust and acquiescence. He’s called you to be His vessel and to bear His image, not to assume the author’s pen for all of Creation! He alone writes the story, and you and I are invited into it!
NATO On, Peace Deal Off
World leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, gathered in Turkey for the NATO Summit this week as the U.S. and Iran appear to have abandoned the recently brokered peace agreement. Strikes between the U.S. and Iran intensified, especially in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. President Donald Trump said the resumption in fighting is because, “I got to know them.”
Trial Begins in Charlie Kirk Case
Once again, life on Earth is short. Far from a flippant repeated reminder, it is helpful for us to continually hold this reality close as we prioritize our limited days.
Democratic Socialists Deliver a Stark Warning to Christians
The rise of democratic socialism, which is richly tied to anti-Israel, if not anti-Semitic, hatred, indicates that the barbarians are already inside the gates. This move is more than a political trend — it represents a worldview shift with profound implications for Christians and for the nation. As a consequence, eternal vigilance is required.
Embattled in Maine
Scandal and politics seem at times to be ubiquitous. As a Jesus follower endeavoring to invest in the welfare of your community, your city, and your nation, it can be a discouraging reality.
Remember, however, that yours is a story of rescue and redemption from scandal! Your sin once threatened to condemn you to an eternal separation from your Creator and Savior, but the astounding—and even scandalous—love of your God wiped away your sentence and put in its place the gift of eternal life!
The Art of Learning
The basis of learning is the personal humility to recognize that you don’t know something, or could be wrong about it. That spirit, coupled with the motivation to seek clarity, ask questions, and alter your own understanding is the grounding of being a life-long learner.
America 250
The United States of America is officially 250 years old. Saturday marked the quarter millennium—or semiquincentennial—of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
From 48-8
Sporting events—especially major ones like the World Cup—often stir up intense emotions. While this has the potential to accentuate conflict, it also presents an opportunity for Jesus followers to demonstrate “peculiar” love for both neighbor and sporting adversary (1 Pet. 2:9). As the World Cup moves closer to completion, take a moment today to consider how it can be a catalyst for your participation in the Great Commission!
Why Freedom?
Freedom is worth prioritizing because you were created and designed to be free! Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Earthquakes in Venezuela
Life on Earth is both short and fragile. We are reminded of these truths regularly in the stories we consider. What seems certain in one moment is gone forever in the next. It is a reality of our temporary home.
We return to reminders of this truth not because we aim to be flippant about the gift of life of Earth, but in fact for the exact opposite reason: time is short for reaching those who are without a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!
Built on the Site
My friend, the foundation of your life is of critical importance! There is only one foundation that will stand forever, and it is the only one strong enough to support all the enemy will bring against you! Here is the tremendous news: that foundation is freely available to you even if the earthly foundations of your life are in shambles. You need only to build on the site that is the rock of Jesus Christ!
Heat Wave
There is nothing that can replace neighbors looking out for each other when something like a natural disaster or an intense heat wave strikes. In those moments, communities that have invested in thick relationship will thrive while those without it will suffer.
Knockout Stage
As a Jesus follower, the World Cup provides you with an opportunity to observe a beautiful cross-section of humanity as fans from all over the globe descend on North America. For those living in proximity to one of the many game sites, it is a chance to welcome the nations to whom you are commissioned into your backyard (Matt. 28:19-20)!