Author: Ben Sheppard

Anchored in Him, Amid Economic Turmoil

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:31, 33 (ESV)

Inflation. Debt. Layoffs. Rising costs. Bills that seem to be outpacing income. We don’t have to look far to find financial stress in today’s world. The uncertainty of the economy triggers deep anxiety and fear for many people. Will there be enough? What if I lose my job? How can I provide for my family?

These are real questions and real problems we face. And Jesus speaks directly to them–not with empty platitudes, but with an invitation to rest in the care of our heavenly Father.

At the root of our financial worry is often a deeper issue though. We’re tempted to believe the lie that we are the ultimate providers. We may say we trust God, but when money gets tight, our instinct is to panic, scramble, or stress over what we can do to fix it. This kind of thing is what we might call “functional atheism.” Our day-to-day actions might not align with our profession of faith.

But Jesus lovingly reminds us: your Father knows what you need (Matt. 6:32).

When we trust more in our bank accounts than in God’s provision, we put our hope in something fragile. Something that doesn’t deserve our hope. Money comes and goes, economies rise and fall–but God never changes. He (alone) is worthy of our faith!

It’s important to remember that God might not provide in ways that we expect Him to. Sometimes He provides through a new job or sometimes through a season of learning contentment with less. Either way, His faithfulness doesn’t waver. God won’t necessarily give us every little thing we want, but He will give us what He knows we need. Do you believe it?

Philippians 4:19 reminds us: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

So how can we fight fear with faith?

Receive God’s Word Daily – Saturate your mind with His promises. Let His truth combat the lies of fear swirling around us every day. (Romans 12:2)
Pray Honestly – Tell God your worries. Lay your burdens at His feet and ask for both provision and peace. (Phil. 4:6-7)
Practice Gratitude – Remind yourself of past ways God has provided. Jot down five blessings each day. Gratitude fuels trust. (Psalm 100:4)
Seek God’s Kingdom First – Don’t let money make your decisions, let obedience guide you. Trust that He will “add all these things” in His time and way. (Matthew 6:33)

God isn’t just aware of the global and local economies–He reigns over them. He’s not shaken by recessions or rising interest rates. He clothes the lilies and feeds the sparrows. And He is more than able to care for you, who is of much more value!

Where do you need to surrender financial fear and trust God today?

The Gospel Changes Everything

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

Imagine standing in front of the mirror on New Year’s morning, feeling the weight of past frustrations, telling yourself this year will be different. We’ve all been there–promising ourselves we’ll eat better, we’ll practice financial discipline, or we’ll stick to healthier habits. In reality though, things don’t usually change. At least not for very long…

Well what if profound, lasting change wasn’t about self-help but about surrendering to something greater?

The Apostle Paul addresses this revolutionary change in Romans 12:1-2. He urges believers to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable, as an act of worship. This isn’t about temporary fixes or superficial adjustments though. This is about total commitment, living a life surrendered to God’s Will.

Paul’s appeal, in this passage, challenges the notion of compartmentalizing our faith. Christianity isn’t just about internal feelings or beliefs; it encompasses our physical actions, decisions, and interactions. Every part of our lives, from our hands to our hearts, is meant to glorify God.

But this transformation isn’t achieved by mere willpower. We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to respond rightly to God’s amazing grace and mercy. And, as Paul emphasizes, God’s mercies aren’t limited or singular; they’re abundant and new every morning. His mercies are like continuous waves of grace, despite our flaws. So our motivation springs not from shame, but from gratitude for God’s boundless love. Grace, not guilt, is what drives real change.

Paul also warns us against conformity to worldly patterns. Our culture subtly shapes us if we’re passive. It molds us like wet clay, into its broken value system. Yet the gospel calls us to actively resist this conformity. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, resulting in a profound shift in how we experience life. And this shift is grounded in God’s Word and empowered by His Spirit.

Ultimately, this renewal helps us discern God’s will, recognizing what truly matters amid life’s complexities. It’s not mystical guesswork either; it’s practical wisdom shaped through Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel. This discernment enables us to live purposefully within God’s unfolding story of redemption, finding freedom and fulfillment beyond what the world offers.

In essence, Romans 12:1-2 invites us into a deeper, richer life. One not found through our efforts, but through surrendering entirely to God’s transformative power. So let’s humbly step onto the altar each day, laying down our lives to reflect God’s glory and love. In doing so, we’ll discover the true and lasting change we yearn for…because the gospel changes everything.

Resting, in a Restless Culture

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

You’ve probably noticed by now that we live in a culture that glorifies busyness. From the moment we wake up, we’re bombarded with notifications, deadlines, and the pressure to do more, achieve more, and be more. The world teaches us that rest is a luxury we have to earn. It’s something we can only afford after we’ve checked off everything on our to-do list. But the Bible teaches us another way…

Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28 is not just for those who have everything figured out or for those who have achieved much and justified their rest. It’s not reserved solely for the ones who exemplify moral piety either. It is for those who are weary and burdened. In other words, it’s for you and me. It’s an invitation for all of us.

And this true rest is not just physical relaxation; it is a soul-level peace that only Christ can give. The world offers temporary escapes and distractions, like entertainment, vacations, or scrolling social media. But these things don’t actually quiet our anxious hearts. They don’t satisfy the deep need for security, identity, and peace that can only be found in Jesus.

Hebrews 4:9-10 reminds us that there remains a “Sabbath rest for the people of God.” This isn’t just about one day of the week though. This is about a lifestyle of trusting and abiding in God. When we rest in Him, we acknowledge that He is in control. We recognize that our worth isn’t found in productivity but in being His beloved children.

So from a practical standpoint, here are some ways I’ve found to implement this rest…

Prioritize Daily Time with God: Spend time in prayer and Scripture, not as another task, but as a way to center yourself on Jesus.
Embrace the Gift of Sabbath: Set aside specific time each week to stop striving and enjoy the goodness of God.
Trust God with Your Work: Rest is an act of faith. When we pause, we declare that God alone (not our performance) sustains us.
Limit Digital Noise: Constant connectivity fuels anxiety. Set boundaries around technology to create quiet moments where you can listen to Him.

Jesus is not calling us to rest after we have gotten everything under control. He calls us to rest in Him here and now, amidst the chaos. If you are weary, if you are burdened by the pressures of life, hear His voice today: “Come to me.” Lay your worries at His feet. True rest is not found in a cleared schedule, an empty inbox, or a full bank account, but in a heart that humbly trusts the Provider. Only then can we be found resting, in a restless culture.

Are you resting in Christ today?

Gospel-Centered, Cultural Misfits

“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:3-4

In this passage, God showed me how Kingdom values don’t take one side or the other. God’s ways are much more comprehensive than our value systems can contain. That’s why the Church often finds itself wrestling with the pressures of cultural ideologies, leading some believers to lean toward a conservative mindset (emphasizing moral responsibility) while others might align with progressive ideals (advocating for social justice). However, the author of Hebrews shows us that Scripture does not permit us to fit neatly into one camp or the other.

In verse three of this chapter, we’re called to remember the imprisoned and mistreated. In the early church, this often meant persecuted Christians but the principle extends to all who suffer injustice or oppression. A purely conservative approach might focus on personal responsibility and the natural consequences of actions, sometimes at the tragic expense of empathy or mercy. A progressive perspective might emphasize systemic oppression but risks detaching the proper sense of justice from personal holiness. But any disciple of Jesus knows He calls us to both. Christ embodies perfect righteousness and compassionate advocacy, ignoring the dividing lines our modern society loves.

And then I love how the following verse shifts to another critical issue: honoring marriage and rejecting sexual immorality. In contrast to many “progressive Christian” perspectives, which might downplay biblical sexual ethics in favor of personal freedom and individual expression, this passage affirms that God’s design for marriage and sexual purity remains uncompromising. Yet, self-proclaimed conservatives sometimes miss that biblical marriage is not just a cultural institution to be defended but a sacred covenant to be lived out in humility, grace, and faithfulness.

The reality is, neither side gets it completely right from a biblical perspective. They simply can’t. Kingdom values demand that we hold to the truths of Scripture while navigating through an untethered culture. Jesus Himself embodied this balance though, calling sinners to repentance while touching the untouchable and eating with societal outcasts. Our allegiance ought not to be to any earthly ideology but to Christ and His unshakable, heavenly Kingdom.

So as I meditate on passages like this, I have to ask myself: Am I remembering and interceding for those suffering injustice or am I indifferent because it doesn’t affect me? Am I upholding God’s design for marriage with both truth and grace or am I prioritizing acceptability over faithfulness? Where have I allowed worldly categories to shape my walk more than the Word of God has?

May the followers of Christ be a people who stand firm on biblical convictions while pouring out the love of Jesus on a broken world. And may we embrace a faith that refuses to be confined by ideological camps and instead displays the fullness of the gospel. Let’s be gospel-centered, cultural misfits.

Walk This Way

Have you ever sensed how difficult it is to stay grounded in today’s world? It seems like everything around us is designed to pull us in multiple directions, urging us to chase after validation, applause, and attention. Social media, in particular, thrives on people putting their “best” moments on display, creating a culture of comparison and performance. But in reality, God isn’t impressed by any of that. He’s actually repulsed by some of it. Because His focus is on something far more profound and transformative in our lives: humility.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8

In this passage, the prophet presents God’s clear and timeless instructions—do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. Let’s hone in on that last part though. Walking humbly isn’t just about a posture of modesty; it’s about a deep, daily awareness that God is in control, not us. In my own life, it is trusting His plan and recognizing that every good thing in our lives flows from His grace alone. And even in my trials or hardships, God’s purposes remain sovereign, working all things together for my ultimate good. So, if you’re like me, at some point your pride inevitably conflicts with His plan. But as we learn throughout Scripture–a surrendered heart is God’s goal for His children.

Thankfully, Jesus is the ultimate example (and source of empowerment) of humility for us. Despite His divine authority, He didn’t cling to His heavenly status. Instead, He took on the role of a servant, even submitting to death on the Cross (Philippians 2:5-8). And let’s think about that for a minute. The King of kings chose humility for our sake. If He could do that, how can we justify clinging to pride or self-importance in our own lives? We can’t actually. But we might try to because we’re misunderstanding and/or not believing an aspect of the Good News.

Let’s be honest though—cultivating humility isn’t something that comes naturally. It requires self-awareness and continual renewing of the mind through Scripture. For me, I have to regularly reflect on the gospel, reminding myself that I’m in Christ (and I stay in Christ) as a result of radical grace, not by my works or my schemes. I also have to ask God to reveal the areas where pride has taken root in my heart. Sometimes it surfaces in subtle ways like defensiveness, wanting justice on my terms, or craving approval from others.

And so I’ve learned one way I can intentionally nurture humility is through serving others. Relationships and interactions allow me to choose to walk in humility. But I’ve also come to realize true service isn’t about gaining recognition or praise. It’s about asking Jesus to come minister through me, that I might serve with joy and without expectation of being noticed. Walking humbly doesn’t come without its challenges, but it leads to freedom. When we shift our focus off ourselves, we become more attuned to the needs around us and more equipped to glorify God in our relationships.

That’s why, when God tells us to walk this way, we’d best take heed.

Walk by Faith, Not by Sight

In one of my readings the other day, I realized that when the Israelites found themselves trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, anxiety–actually panic–set in. God’s chosen nation was blinded by fear in this situation. From their human perspective, there was no way out. They were stuck between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.” So they cried out in terror, accusing Moses of leading them to their deaths. They even had the audacity to say they were better off being enslaved in Egypt!

And yet, I can totally relate to this distorted line of thinking. You’re overtaken by concern for your own life, so you think it would help to complain or blame shift. Like “oh no I’m going to die now, maybe some last minute negativity will help.” I remember one bumpy plane ride that seemed life-threatening to me (it wasn’t), so I became uncharacteristically irritable and impatient. “I knew I should’ve just stayed home!” It’s laughable now but I’ve been guilty of the same wild rationale the Israelites followed.

But in their moment of desperation, Moses spoke words that are both challenging and comforting to God’s people. Like a true shepherd, he brought rebuke and reassurance when he proclaimed: “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14)

“Silent” here, in Hebrew, conveys holding one’s peace and not taking action, which requires massive trust. That’s counterintuitive when crippling fear takes over. The Israelites couldn’t see beyond their immediate crisis. Without eyes of faith, they couldn’t comprehend that God was already working a miraculous escape for them. They didn’t grasp that with a command, He would part the waters, creating a path through the sea and delivering them from their enemies.

In the same way, God can easily make a way in our lives when we see no relief. When palpable terror comes over us, He’s unafraid and undeterred.

I remember a time when I felt backed into a corner—overwhelmed by consequences and uncertainty. Every option seemed blocked and my prayers were desperate pleas for help. It was in that season that God showed me He was already at work, despite my fear and frustration. Doors eventually opened that I had never anticipated. Solutions appeared when I least expected them. I didn’t need to fight my way through—I needed to trust that God would fight for me.

Many times, God’s deliverance doesn’t come instantly though. Like the Israelites, we may need to wait, trust, and step forward obediently. Yet the promise remains–He is with us and He makes a way where there just doesn’t seem to be one.

Are you facing an “impossible” situation? Maybe it’s something no one else even understands. Take heart—God hasn’t abandoned you. The same God who split the Red Sea for the Israelites can part the metaphorical sea in your life. Bring your doubts to Him and trust that He will come through. You may not see the path to come, but He’s way ahead of you.

Unfriending Division

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:1-3

Every time I open a social media app lately, it seems like division among believers just won’t go away. I often feel discouraged by and even tempted to join the constant conflict in the Church, much of which revolves around issues that won’t matter in eternity. I frequently have to realign my focus, remembering God’s call for me to be an agent of peace and unity—especially online, where it’s so easy to forget the humanity of others.

Recently, in my devotional time, Paul’s words to the Ephesians gave me two key reminders. First, unity typically doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional effort. And second, God both delights in and is glorified by our unity (Psalm 133:1). It all really hit home for me…that these encouragements may not be overt commands, but they should be taken seriously if we’re truly seeking to magnify Jesus.

It’s not easy though–I have to admit. The culture in which we currently find ourselves seems to thrive on polarization. There’s this persistent pressure to pick sides, discredit others, and let differences drive us apart. But the Bible tells us that unity is a distinguishing mark of God’s people and affirms that humbly pursuing unity—not relentlessly arguing—models Jesus to a watching (and dying) world.

And if the world is going to see Him in us, it won’t be because we win debates in the comment section or because we plant our flag on the moral high ground. It certainly won’t be because we mask hostility as “righteous anger” either. It’ll be because we reflect the sacrificial love of Jesus. It’ll be because we use our freedom in Christ to let go of trivial offenses and pursue peace, for the sake of the gospel.

Lately I keep asking myself, who am I actually serving?(Joshua 24:15). Am I making room for unity or shaking hands with division. Can you relate to this dilemma? Because when it comes to Christian unity, there’s simply no room for neutrality. So let’s unfriend division.