In this article, Kevin Hay teaches that trials are not signs of God's absence, but evidence of His fatherly care. Through hardship, the Lord matures us, strengthens our endurance, and draws us away from worldly comforts into deeper communion with Him.

This article needs minimal introduction. Social media is ablaze right now and has been for some time. Rage is on the rise, wars are fought using words as ammunition, and aggressive debate takes its toll on even the most upbeat human souls.

Have you ever wanted to become a prayer warrior? Do you want to get beyond the basic (not unimportant) mentality that prayer is asking God to “touch everyone, heal everyone, help everyone, and bless everyone?” What if you began to pray about God’s will even more than your will?

Some of the most important questions that arise in a Christian’s mind will (and should) have to do with spiritual maturity. Am I growing? How am I growing? Is “maturity” evident in my life? Have I been consistently (even if slowly) become more like Jesus?