The Beacon

 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him". Colossians 3:17 (NIV) Life gets loud sometimes. Between school, work, goals, and plans, we're constantly improving or working toward something. When one task is finished, another pops up with no time to catch a breath. In the midst of the grind and hustle, it's easy to push God to the sidelines and get carried away with achievements. Maybe not intentionally, but over time, it becomes evident that our dreams are taking center stage.  It's important to know that your dreams are valid. That drive to grow, grind, develop, and show up with excellence? God placed it all in you. He is not against your visions or dreams. God loves to see his children excel and use their gifts well. (Philippians 2:13). Putting God first does not mean ignoring your goals or slacking at work. It means filtering your grind through grace and remembering that yo...

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" John 15:13   Navigating relationships as a young believer can be challenging and sometimes a bit confusing. With all the trends, opinions, and media influences telling us what a perfect or ideal relationship looks like, it's easy to lose sight of God's beautiful plan for connection and community. So, what does God really say about relationships?  Relationships from God's Perspective Relationships are not just casual connections- they are purposeful. God is intentional, and nothing happens coincidentally. That is a carnal mindset. Whether professional, platonic, or romantic, God desires that our relationships reflect His character. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." The truth? Relationships shape us. Who we surround ourselves with either breaks or builds us up. That is why it is a necessity to invite God into this area of ...

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. -Matthew 5:14 (NIV) Evangelism is a word many people hear in church, but not everyone fully understands what it means. Evangelism is simply telling others about Jesus Christ and the good news of what He has done for us. It means sharing the message that Jesus came to save us, loves us, and wants a relationship with us. Evangelism is necessary for Christians because Jesus told us to do it. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said,  “Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  This is called “The Great Commission.” It means that all Christians are called to spread the gospel, not just pastors or church leaders. If we have received the love and truth of Jesus, we should want others to experience it too. So, why does evangelism matter today? The world is filled with challenges like sadness, pain, fear, and confusion. Many people feel lost or lonely. Some are searching...

 " If you are willing and obedient,  you will eat the good things of the land." - Isaiah 1:19 (NIV). Obedience. We hear that ever so often. But living it out, especially when it is difficult or inconvenient, is quite a struggle. Obedience doesn't feel glamorous. To be honest, it doesn't always come with applause. It requires us to sacrifice what is easy.  Let's look at the story of Abraham (Genesis 12), God told Abraham,  “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. There would be so many questions to ask. It wouldn't sound logical at all. Yet Abraham obeyed. Hebrews 11:8 says, " By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,  obeyed and went,  even though he did not know where he was going." As a result, God made a covenant to make Abraham a father of nations.  Most often, we want some form of clarity before we move. But God gives the direction, not details. T...

And we know that in all things God works for the good  of those who love him, who   have been called  according to his purpose. - Romans 8: 28 (NIV).  Life has a way of throwing curveballs, especially when you least expect them. As believers, unexpected circumstances can hit like a storm. Suddenly, we find ourselves amid confusion, distress, and often even fear. Questions begin to rise: "Who am I really?" "What's going to happen to me?" "Where is God in all this?" And as these thoughts swirl, we start to reflect on the rights, the wrongs, and if God keeps his promises.  It becomes even more overwhelming when we don't have a strong support system or people to turn to. In these lonely and fragile moments, the enemy tries to convince us that we are forgotten, undeserving, or alone. But take a moment to think. Let this sink in: enduring hardships, temptations, and challenges does not diminish your worth as a child of God or make you weak.  You are Not ...

"Cast all your anxiety on him  because he cares for you." -  1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) We have all felt our hands sweat before speaking up. Or our hearts race just at the thought of being seen. That moment when you want to walk into a room confidently, but something invisible pushes you to the back corner. That feeling, that's anxiety. The truth is that Christians may experience this at some point, or even frequently. Whatever the case is, God Sees You, and He wants you to come to him. God already had a solution before anxiety had a name. Psalm 61:2 says, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." The Psalmist David was not afraid to admit when he was overwhelmed. So why should you? God wants you to be direct with him. Anxiety grows when we keep it inside. But peace begins when we surrender it to God. You see, peace isn't found in trying to control everything, but in giving everything to God. Paul in Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) tells us, ...