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The most recent articles, videos, blog entries, and more that have been added to ChristianUnion.org.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1
The book of Galatians, one of two key New Testament books of the Reformation, was written to explain the nature of spiritual freedom in contrast to spiritual slavery. Understanding freedom in Christ liberates the lover of God in powerful, extraordinary ways. Not surprisingly, misunderstanding this great doctrine leads to spiritual frustration, hardship, and slavery.
The book of Galatians, one of two key New Testament books of the Reformation, was written to explain the nature of spiritual freedom in contrast to spiritual slavery. Understanding freedom in Christ liberates the lover of God in powerful, extraordinary ways. Not surprisingly, misunderstanding this great doctrine leads to spiritual frustration, hardship, and slavery.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’...The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply...I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” - Psalm 16:1, 2, 4, 8-11
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Embedded within Paul’s conversion/call narrative in Acts 9 is a note that, after encountering Jesus on the way to Damascus, for three days prior to his baptism, Paul “neither ate nor drank” (9:9). Later, in vv. 18–19, Luke records that after his baptism, Paul ate and “regained his strength” (9:19).
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.” - Daniel 9:23
From his study of the Scriptures recorded in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Daniel learns that the Babylonian exile will last 70 years. He immediately responds by pouring out his heart to God; making supplication for the forgiveness and restoration of his captive people. At the very beginning of his pleas for mercy, a word goes out into the heavens. The angel Gabriel is dispatched to inform Daniel of the coming Messiah who will atone for sin and inaugurate everlasting righteousness.
From his study of the Scriptures recorded in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Daniel learns that the Babylonian exile will last 70 years. He immediately responds by pouring out his heart to God; making supplication for the forgiveness and restoration of his captive people. At the very beginning of his pleas for mercy, a word goes out into the heavens. The angel Gabriel is dispatched to inform Daniel of the coming Messiah who will atone for sin and inaugurate everlasting righteousness.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” - Proverbs 4:23
If you Googled the phrase, “What is most important?” you’ll find a diversity of answers. Some say it’s making more money to enable them to do what they love most. Some say it’s being physically healthy or spending time with family, while others prioritize being happy or knowing their purpose. The list could be as long as there are people. What is most important to you?
If you Googled the phrase, “What is most important?” you’ll find a diversity of answers. Some say it’s making more money to enable them to do what they love most. Some say it’s being physically healthy or spending time with family, while others prioritize being happy or knowing their purpose. The list could be as long as there are people. What is most important to you?
Day Thirty-seven - Evening Devotional
You don’t usually think of a political fundraiser as beautiful and inspiring, but I was deeply encouraged to experience something of this recently. The featured candidate currently serves as a Democrat on the New York City Council and is running for New York State Senate. Ministry and business leaders, men and women of all backgrounds, including Caucasian, Latino, and African-American, filled the home where the fundraiser was held. These dynamic Christian leaders support this candidate not because he is Democrat, or Latino, or a man. They were not supporting him because he would do a favor for them or for people like them, or because of his likability (even though he is very likable). They support him because he demonstrates godly understanding of governmental responsibility.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
When a mother sees that her child is seriously sick, she swoops him up and takes him to a doctor as soon as possible. She does this because she has faith in a couple of important details: She has faith that her assessment of the seriousness of her child’s illness is accurate. Also, she has faith that a medical doctor will genuinely seek to help her child and, quite possibly, will be able to help heal him.
This is what faith looks like for a mother with a sick child, which begs the question, what does faith look like for the Christian who desires for God to change a community or a nation?
This is what faith looks like for a mother with a sick child, which begs the question, what does faith look like for the Christian who desires for God to change a community or a nation?
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Have you ever watched a little baby eat? Picture the newborn baby nursing, or as a toddler experiencing new texture sensations with each incoming spoonful. At these stages, a child is dependent on mother and father for everything pertaining to sustenance and thriving. Individually, a fasting lifestyle teaches us to ‘eat’ like a child, as we learn to depend more poignantly on the Father. As a community, fasting opens us up to God’s Spirit.[1]
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
I recently watched an interview of a young woman, named Deborah Peters, who grew up in Nigeria. In 2011, when she was only 12, her father and brother were killed right in front of her by armed men from the terrorist group Boko Haram. Her father, a Christian pastor, was told by the men to renounce his faith. He refused and responded to the terrorists’ threat by quoting Matthew 10:32-33: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” They threatened him a second time, and, when he refused to deny Jesus, they shot him three times. They then turned and killed her brother, who was 14 at the time.
Can There be Good without God? Nate Otey '15 and Corinne Tu '13 Present Case for Necessity of Creator
"If we're going to have a discussion on ethics, let's be ethical in giving up our seats and moving forward so that others can sit," exhorted moderator Jordan Monge in Harvard's Science Center Auditorium C. Typically used for large science lecture courses and having a seat capacity of 350, Harvard students of all faith backgrounds (and no faith backgrounds) crowded into the auditorium, leaving it completely filled—including the entirety of the floor space and standing room in the back.
It is estimated that 430 people were present at the fall semester debate hosted by Harvard College Faith and Action (HCFA) and Harvard Community Humanists, Atheists, and Agnostics (HCHAA). Harvard College Faith and Action is a leadership development ministry supported and resourced by Christian Union.
