At the center of the Christian Bible is the book of Psalms. This great symphony of songs and prayers expresses the heart and soul of humanity. In them, the whole range of human experiences is expressed. The writers honestly pour out their true feelings, reflecting a dynamic, powerful, and life-changing relationship with God. The psalmists confess their sins, express their doubts and fears, ask God for help in times of trouble, and praise and worship him. As you read the book of Psalms, lik...

Ecclesiastes is a John-the-Baptist kind of book. It functions less as a meal; more as a bath. It is less nourishment; more cleansing. It is repentance. It is purging. We read Ecclesiastes to get scrubbed clean from illusion and sentiment, from ideas that are idolatrous and feelings that satiate. Qohelet writes an exposé and rejection of arrogant and ignorant expectation that we can live our lives by ourselves on our own terms.Ecclesiastes challenges the naïve optimism that sets a g...

Fasting has been important to key people, and fasting has been prominent at key moments. Moses was fasting when he met God on Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments. The prophet Elijah was fasting when God spoke to him in a still, small voice after Elijah had almost given up on life. King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were fasting when the Lord caused the massive military forces that were invading their land to turn on each other and self-destruct. The city of Nineveh was fast...

Faith Seeking Understanding has day by day meditations and reflections to help us grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As the year unfolds, Stan Baldwin leads us on a journey through Scripture to meet the obstacles and challenges before us. No matter what comes our way, one thing will be constant: God's blessing. In victory or defeat, in confidence or instability, we can still know our Father's presence, his wisdom, and his guidance.Faith Seeking Underst...

Invisible, cosmic spiritual battles rage hard. The weapons of human effort have no chance against the devil's schemes. But with the power and armor of God, we have a huge advantage over the devil's forces. In Jesus Christ, you become part of the best-equipped spiritual fighting force anywhere. It's not enough for such armor and weapons to be available, however. You must put them on and use them.Scripture says, "Put on the whole armor of God"—not just armor that God gives but armor ...

The Ten Words from God are often mistakenly considered an outdated list of do's and don'ts that add up to a guilt-ridden, legalistic way of life. But as author, preacher and Bible teacher Stan Baldwin probes the purpose and meaning of the Ten Commandments, readers will gladly discover that these instructions can aptly be called God's design for the best life possible. They contain the wisdom and priorities anyone needs for relational, spiritual, and societal blessing and it's all coming fr...

At different times, places and degrees, we all encounter and experience suffering. It may be physical pain, financial or emotional loss, the death of someone we love. During those times we ask, "Where is God when it hurts the most?" When tragedy strikes or when loneliness threatens to almost snuff out our last flickering hopes. God seems the most distant then. When seeking answers, where do we turn? How do we respond? How do we go on? Are we able to say along with Shadrach, Meshach and Abe...