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By Diana MG Achieng, missionary to Kenya “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matthew 5:10) One of the blessings listed by Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-11 is persecution for righteousness’s sake.  I am sure you are wondering: Is persecution a good thing? Being subjected to hostility, ill-treatment, cruelty […]

Adapted from a sermon taught by Brad Watt, missionary to South Asia In Part One, we explored how the Beatitudes reveal a Kingdom that runs completely opposite to the world’s values. The poor in spirit are called blessed. The mourners are honored. The meek inherit the earth. This upside-down way of life turns our assumptions inside

Adapted from a sermon taught by Brad Watt A perfect biblical example of the “opposites” embedded within Christianity can be found in the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.  Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be

This is part three of The Unveiled Life series. Click here for part one. We know that God made us for authenticity—to be open and exposed in His presence so that He might meet us in those places. And yet, the world is full of lesser refuges, places we choose to run to instead, believing that exposure to

This is part two of The Unveiled Life series. Click here for part one. What is the stronghold of your life – your protection from the barrage of attacks? What about your refuge – the place you seek shelter from overwhelming circumstances? These spaces tend to reveal something about ourselves: our place of security, yes, but also what we value

One thing that seems to be precious to the Lord is authenticity. We see this woven throughout Scripture: the questions of the curious weren’t ignored, the young and naive were welcomed, and those who confessed their true condition without pretense were commended. In contrast, those who chose appearances over truthfulness often received God’s sharpest rebukes.

From Diana Westfall, Missionary Care Director “Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:37-38, CSB) What if that was the end of the story? God took on our flesh, lived our life from infant to grave, and died

From Diana Westfall, Missionary Care Director Brothers and sisters, This day is one of simultaneous weeping and rejoicing brought about by our remembrance and ever-growing understanding of the events of “Good Friday.” I encourage you to press into both of these expressions of gratitude, as well as any other you find yourself drawn into by

Has someone ever asked you, “What is God teaching you right now?” And maybe your our heart drops into your stomach because you know there’s an answer—yet nothing comes to mind.  You start to rattle off the safe ones—God is faithful, God provides—because the truth of the matter is, He’s always reminding us of that.

Humiliation, embarrassment, shame. Without a biblical lens of confrontation, these feelings can invade our hearts when others address our shortcomings. Even the most loving people in our lives can cause us to shrink in our seats when we let the voices of shame, fear, and insecurity dictate the narrative. The sting of confrontation can overwhelm our better judgment,