The Church, made up of believers, is the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head. Our spiritual life and growth come from Him alone. Throughout your journey as a Christian, you may encounter people or movements promising unique ways to deepen your faith—through extreme practices, unusual rituals, or dramatic experiences. They might claim that without these, your faith is lacking.
However, these distractions often lead away from what truly matters: a steady, faithful walk with Christ. The Christian life is not about chasing trends but about consistent connection to Jesus. This means meeting Him daily in His Word, confessing sin, seeking His grace, and regularly gathering with fellow believers. It involves prayer, service, and staying rooted in Him.
Ephesians 4:15-16 reminds us that “we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” As we remain connected to Him, Jesus will strengthen and sustain us, shaping our faith over a lifetime.
Lebanon has faced decades of conflict and economic challenges, which continue to have a significant impact on the region. The ongoing war has displaced an estimated 1.3 million people, adding to the country’s humanitarian crisis.
The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) in Beirut has responded by offering assistance to those in need. According to Loulwa Maalouf, a representative from the seminary, crises, wars, and disruptions are not new to the region. Despite these challenges, ABTS remains committed to serving its community.
On November 10, ABTS took in its first family displaced from South Lebanon. Since then, the seminary has expanded its efforts, now sheltering and providing meals to hundreds of displaced individuals. It has opened its guest house and academic residence to accommodate families affected by the conflict.
In addition to housing, ABTS provides essential services such as utilities, meals, and laundry facilities. The seminary also collaborates with other ministries to deliver youth services and additional support for displaced families.
While ABTS continues its humanitarian work, the academic year for its 240 students recently came to an end. In a statement on its website, the seminary acknowledged the mixed emotions surrounding the conclusion of the academic year. “It’s a bittersweet moment where we finalized signatures of the degrees, but must wait to celebrate,” the post read.
The work of ABTS highlights the ongoing challenges faced by displaced families in Lebanon and the role local organizations play in providing relief during times of crisis.
Reports show a significant rise in hate crimes targeting Christians in Turkey. Data from the Freedom of Belief Initiative (FOBI) highlights that such incidents have more than doubled over the past two years. In 2021, ten incidents were recorded, while in 2023, the number rose to 22.
Christians remain the primary victims of religious hate crimes in Turkey, with a total of 52 cases documented since 2020. These crimes range from harassment and property damage to acts of violence. The true scale of the issue may be higher, as many victims reportedly do not come forward due to fear of social exclusion.
Turkey’s treatment of its Christian minority is part of a broader historical and modern trend. Christians, who made up about 25% of the region’s population before 1914, now represent less than 0.5%. This dramatic decline follows decades of persecution, including the Armenian genocide from 1915 to 1916. During this period, approximately 1 million Armenian Christians were killed through mass executions, starvation, and other atrocities orchestrated by Ottoman authorities.
January 2024, Two gunmen burst into Church of St. Mary Draperis in Istanbul. ISIS claimed responsibility.
Turkey is ranked 50th on Open Doors’ World Watch List, which assesses global persecution of Christians. Factors like Islamic oppression and authoritarian governance contribute to the challenges faced by Christians in the country today.
While the challenges faced by Christians in Turkey are not new, the growing frequency of targeted crimes underscores the ongoing risks for this minority group in a nation with a long history of religious conflict.
Jesus gave a clear command to His followers: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 NASB). This Great Commission calls all believers to spread the Good News, not just through distant missions or donations, but through personal action and involvement.
In Mark 16:15, Jesus instructed His disciples to go into all the world and preach to all creation. This mission isn’t about hiding behind screens or only supporting missionaries; it’s a direct call for each believer to actively share the gospel.
Worship services are important for gathering, singing hymns, taking communion, and honoring God. However, we are called to do more. We must take an active role in fulfilling the Great Commission. Have you shared the gospel in your community? Have you personally gone out to spread the message of Jesus Christ?
Let’s not limit our faith to church walls. Instead, let’s embrace the command to make disciples everywhere we go.
The concept of God’s eternity stretches far beyond human understanding. Unlike humans who are trapped within time’s linear progression, God stands outside of temporal constraints, viewing all of history simultaneously.
Scripture reveals that God’s perspective transcends our limited perception. As Psalm 90:4 declares, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” This verse illustrates how time means something completely different to God.
God is not bound by moments, memories, or anticipations. He does not experience time as we do. Instead, He sees all of history in a single, vivid panorama. From creation to the fall, from ancient civilizations to modern assemblies, every event exists simultaneously before His eternal gaze.
The fundamental truth about God’s eternity is His complete freedom from time’s limitations. While humans are inherently time-bound creatures, moving between a fixed past and an unknown future, God stands apart. He cannot be constrained by something He has made.
In essence, God’s existence is timeless. He is unbound, unlimited, and sovereign over every moment of history, watching over the grand narrative of existence with perfect, comprehensive understanding.
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