What does the gospel have to say about our failures and missteps in following Jesus? When we “fall off the wagon” of our best intentions?

Faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In other words, there is an unseen reality in the heavenly realm about which we are convinced: that the glorious God exists and Christ is ruling and exalted, triumphant over His enemies through the cross.

Too often, we get overwhelmed by the details of life and think that God is absent or not involved. We don't need to feel this way any longer. If God is in the details of our lives, then let's look for Him in each ordinary day and moment and uncover the creativity and beauty He is summoning us to.

We don’t have to dwell on our own insufficiencies or weaknesses, because He is able to take our efforts and multiply them. All we have to do is be obedient, and trust that He will be faithful to bring about fruit.

Forgiveness means that the debt that the wrong doer owes us for our loss is canceled. We cancel it without recompense. We simply decide, “You owe me nothing, the slate is wiped clean.”

As Christians, we are not to get comfortable with sin merely because we have been given the righteousness of Christ. When we view our faith in such a way, it shows we have a very narrow view of what it means to be justified before God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Our reconciliation is more than just having the debt paid, but the relationship is also restored!

God also values perfection. In fact, he is perfect. But his response to imperfection is starkly (and beautifully) different from my own. While I frustratedly throw in the towel and start from scratch, God chooses restoration.

By nature, we tend to spend time with those that are most like us. Recognizing the need for diversity has become a popular topic as of late, but is also a necessary component of the Christian life.

The purpose of most mission trips within a church context is to conduct short-term trips to provide temporary care to a non-profit organization through VBS, building projects, or humanitarian relief efforts. But what If I told you that some of the most important mission projects the Church can do are to care for those workers who are in the fields daily — working the soil for the harvest that is to come?

The atonement of Jesus Christ is the most wonderful news any man, woman, or child could ever hear about. The atonement is the center, the very heart of the gospel message. It is simple, yet profound; an ancient truth, yet touching and changing all of life. Every believer needs to be reminded of this act; every unbeliever needs to hear—and believe!

New City Youth is going to Generate Camp this summer, and we think you should come. Sign-ups are available for all rising 6th-12th grade students (whether you go to New City or not!), and we’ve got 5 great reasons to sign up.

While the spiritual disciplines are not required for salvation, they are a gift of grace to us as believers. Through them, we labor to keep the Lord always before us because we believe that this truly does bring delight, peace, and joy that overflow into the building up of the church, and the good works we are called to.