Category: What do you think?

God’s Unseen Protection

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AMY TURNER

Psalm 125:2 gives a powerful image of God’s care for His people: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” This verse reminds us of the strong, unshaken protection God provides.

Anyone who has travelled through towering mountain ranges like the Rockies understands the feeling of being enclosed by their vastness. In a similar way, those journeying to Jerusalem in ancient times would see hills encircling the city, offering a sense of safety. These hills, though not as tall, stood as a symbol of God’s protection for those heading to worship.

Mountains, by nature, do not move. Even when fog or storms hide them from view, they remain firm and unmoved. God’s protection is the same. Even when we cannot see or feel it, His care surrounds us. The promise of His presence isn’t based on our awareness but on His faithfulness. In difficult times, we can quietly rest in faith, trusting that His steady, unseen arms hold us securely.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Salvation Is Beyond Human Effort

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JEFF TURNER

In the Gospel of John, we often read about large crowds gathering to hear Jesus speak. However, many of these people left when His message challenged their beliefs. In John chapter 6, Jesus told the crowd that no one could come to Him unless the Father drew them. This statement offended many then, and it still unsettles people today.

The reason for this discomfort lies in human pride. All people are born sinners and naturally resist the idea that they cannot save themselves. Most false religions are built on the idea that people can earn their way to heaven through good works. But the Christian message is different. It teaches that salvation is not something we achieve; it is a gift from God, given through faith, so no one can boast about earning it.

Many struggle with this because they want to take credit for their salvation. Yet the Bible is clear: we are spiritually dead, blind, and trapped in sin without the power to free ourselves.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Transform Your Life Through God’s Love

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FLOYD ROGERS

God loves you exactly as you are, and He is patiently waiting for you to let Him shape you into the person He knows you can become.

So, how does this transformation happen? It begins with recognising who Jesus truly is. He is the Son of God, sent into the world to give His life on the cross for your sins and mine. When He died, He took on the sins of everyone—past, present, and future. This act of love is available to everyone, no matter where they are or what their past looks like.

No matter who you are or where you find yourself today, Jesus loves you. He is waiting for you to say “Yes, Lord,” and surrender your life to Him. When you do, you will witness incredible changes as He works in your life, offering you hope and a new purpose.

By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.

1 John 4:9

Trusting God for Calmness in Troubling Times

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AMY TURNER

Psalm 131:2 gives a gentle picture of peace, saying, “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother.” Just as a baby must learn how to settle and rest without constant help, people of faith also need to find peace within themselves. While parents can comfort and reassure a child, there comes a time when the child must learn to drift into rest on their own.

In the same way, believers often struggle with worry, fear, and restless thoughts. It’s common for our minds to become tangled with concerns, leading to inner unrest. Simply hearing comforting words or reminders of God’s promises is not always enough. We need to personally accept and trust those truths.

The calmness of a child resting quietly with its mother is a beautiful example of the peace available to anyone who places their trust in God. This quiet strength comes not from avoiding trouble but from learning to lean on God’s presence through it.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

The Critical Task of Restoration: When Fellow Believers Fall Away

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JEFF TURNER

When someone in our faith community appears to abandon truth for sinful living, much is at stake. The church’s reputation, the gospel’s credibility, and our Lord’s testimony all face damage. However, James 5 suggests even more serious consequences may exist.

In James’ letter, he addresses a sobering reality: “Whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). This raises an important question about spiritual security.

How could a genuine believer face spiritual death if they’ve already received salvation? The answer lies in understanding who James actually describes. Those truly saved possess everlasting spiritual life—they cannot lose what God has eternally granted them.

The individuals described as “straying from the truth” are actually those who merely claimed faith without genuinely possessing it. These people professed belief outwardly but lacked authentic spiritual transformation. As 1 John 2:19 explains, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us.”
These false professors—people with superficial belief—stand in grave spiritual danger. Their situation calls for fellow believers to take action by lovingly calling them back to authentic faith.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4