We see throughout the Old Testament and the many strivings of mankind, this kind, firm, and gentle invitation from God to ‘return to Me and rest’ (Psalm 116:7). And when we look to the New Testament, we see Jesus’ invitation was as tender and sincere as His Father’s: “return to Me and rest” (Matthew 11:28).

In May, I had a health scare when a small breast nodule popped up on an exam. In the weeks of waiting to hear that it was nothing to be concerned about, I had to confront assumptions I had made about my physical well-being and my associated beliefs about God and his character.

I spent the first 15 years of my walk with Christ struggling to read my Bible. It was something I knew was important, that it was God’s Word and had profound meaning, and that it was how I could grow in my relationship with God. But whenever I tried, I mostly felt confused and discouraged.

God the Father has been eternally pleased with God the Son - and this truth gives followers of Jesus profound reason for joy and delight.

At New City, we talk a lot about belief vs. knowledge. We may possess knowledge of the true gospel or of God’s character, but the things we really believe are evident in the way we live our everyday lives. In other words, misbelief in God - a false gospel - is the root or source of sin.

All of us experience the unsettled, anxious feelings that life in a fallen world brings. At times these feelings can be overwhelming, and they can take hold of us so strongly that we can hardly put one foot in front of the other. But the Bible has a great deal to tell us about fear and anxiety, and it is very good news.

We are going to face trials and tribulations, a few really big decisions, and a lot of small ones. My prayer is that you and I would remember that for those of us who believe in the power of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus — we are to view our lives in light of eternity. We set our eyes not on things this world would offer us, but on those things that carry eternal weight.

We see God's goodness and love most clearly in His Son, Jesus. In Him, God has offered us the good gift of Himself. Through Him, we have received forgiveness of our sins, adoption into His family, and the promise through His Holy Spirit that He will dwell with us forever. Because of this, we can trust that He is always good, loves us, and desires what's best for us. All of this He has proven at the cross.

Our first parents, Adam and Eve, believed the serpent's lie that they would be like God if they ate the forbidden food. But why? They functionally believed that God did not love them, care for them or that God would provide for them. So, they took matters into their own hands, thinking they knew better than God. I don't think the root of my sin is much different.

Most Christians know and believe that corporate prayer is a vital aspect of our faith and that practicing it in the context of small groups (or missional communities) is important, but we may need some help knowing just how to get started.

“Is the band going to play a song I know?”
“Am I going to be the only one not singing?”
“Will others see that I don’t know this song?”

I know those thoughts and worries because I have been in those shoes!

We dream of seeing women transformed by the gospel, growing in discipleship to Jesus through His Word, and sent out to transform their homes, churches, city, and the world.