When I stop and consider the workings of the human body, I can’t help but be reminded of the psalmist’s words, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psa. 139:14). The way God created the various parts of the body to work together is absolutely amazing.

On many occasions Paul used the illustration of the human body to demonstrate how the body of Christ should work together. As part of that body, we must take these lessons to heart.

Adolescence can be challenging in many ways, both for children and for parents. Parents struggle to deal with their children’s growth, as they begin to establish their own ideas and convictions about the things they see in life, often differing from ideas and convictions of their parents. Children struggle as they begin to “spread their wings” in preparation to leave the nest and branch out on their own.

These struggles are natural, but can also lead to other struggles as the transition from childhood to adulthood takes place. Even in Christian homes, these struggles can make for difficult and challenging times, making or breaking the faith of a young person.

Have you ever witnessed a person of faith demonstrate an extraordinary “calm” in adverse circumstances? Is such a “calm” the result of training? Is it inherent in one’s personality and outside the grasp of others? Is it only acquired through the endurance of varied adversities, like the quality of patience (cf. Jas. 1:3)?

Jesus is referred to over a hundred different ways within the pages of God's word. Each designation, description or phrase is a deeply profound message within itself. This series of lessons aims to help us to know Jesus better ... by His name.

In this lesson, we will consider Jesus as "The Prince of Peace."

In exposing the folly of the idea of faith without works, James writes, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18). Could not the same challenge be directed toward many professing Christianity today?