Ruth Stephens

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the statement “belong before believe.” I remember as a little girl I had the privilege of belonging to a Christian family. I also remember making a clear decision for myself to follow Jesus. Becoming a Christian is a matter of faith in the saving power of Jesus, but the way in which everyone reaches that point is different. For most people, it starts with lots of small steps towards faith. From my experience, it usually starts with a sense of finding...

There’s a small, easily overlooked verse tucked away in the middle of a long genealogy in the book of 1 Chronicles. It’s about a man called Jabez. We’re told, almost in passing, that he was born into pain. Even his name reflects it. And then, just as quietly, we’re told that everything changed. Jabez prayed a simple prayer: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” 1...