Many political leaders and social influencers show mercy only to people they agree with. That isn’t what Jesus meant by “Blessed are the merciful.” Can we show mercy consistently in our social media and politics, even to those we don’t agree with?

In the Beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful.” Mercy is compassion in action. How can we show mercy to others? How can our government treat people with mercy, and in what ways is it failing?

In the Beatitudes, Jesus challenges us to hunger for righteousness – to have a deep desire to do what is right.  But how do we know we have the right goals and are pursuing them in the right ways?

Jesus calls us to a different set of values than we see from many star performers and political and business leaders.  Christians are called to live in God’s realm, even as we also live in the world. (Matthew 5:1-12)

Everyone faces temptations. We want something, or something makes us angry. Desire and anger are not necessarily evil. The issue is what we do with them. When Jesus was tempted, he showed us how to deal with temptation. The first step is to decide who we are living for. The second step is to know the Word of God.

In the Scriptures, the apostle Paul uses the terms "faith, hope, and love" as action words, not as abstract concepts. He talks about the “work of faith,” the “labor of love,” and our “endurance in hope.” How do we put these virtues into action?

The demand for strict work requirements to avoid being kicked off of Medicaid and food assistance programs is immoral and unChristian.  It is built on the false philosophy, recently articulated by Dr. Mehmet Oz, that you need to “prove that you matter” by working.  To God, every person matters.

These 3 churches have different missions, ranging from transformation and renewal to sanctuary. St. Paul's Cathedral finds a way to be true to its mission amid the bustle of tourists, encouraging people to encounter the transforming presence of Jesus. Christ Church London uses worship music to support its focus on mission. The Catholic Church of St. James sees itself as a haven from modernity. Although the Body of Christ is not united, God is at work.

The apostle Paul shows how to pray for others: that they may abound in love for all and that God may strengthen them to live a life devoted to God’s purposes (1 Thess. 3:12-13). Could you pray that prayer for someone?

In Proverbs 31:8-9, God calls us to speak out for those who have no voice. Who needs our voice? To whom shall we speak? What shall we say? How can we put this Bible passage about justice into action?

The Bible uses images of God as a mother, in addition to images of God as a father, to help us understand how great God’s love is for us. Many people have anxiety-producing images of God as a stern disciplinarian. In the Bible, God uses images of being like a mother to express God’s intimate love and tenderness toward us.

Pope Francis is rightfully praised for how he focused the attention of the Catholic Church and the whole world on people who are marginalized and left out. He was also a practical teacher with simple wisdom about how to live our everyday lives. He taught that continued discernment is needed after you make a decision, to evaluate whether it was a good decision or not. Is there gratitude to God, renewed energy, and freedom to let it go?

Take this 5-question quiz to see if you know what the Bible says about Jesus’s resurrection. Image by Pisit Hing, provided by Unsplash...

The Bible includes evidence for the resurrection of Jesus that was obtained from eyewitnesses, and today’s Christians experience his living presence now. Writing around 25 years after Jesus died and rose, Paul identifies a large number of people who saw the resurrected Jesus, some of whom he had talked with. It’s roughly the same as believing a book published today about events in the year 2000 (25 years ago) that includes eyewitness reports from people the author interviewed

Everywhere you turn in American history, African American history is embedded in the story. Black History Month is not enough; we need to learn how Black history is intertwined with all of American history.

How to nurture a deep relationship and continual conversation with God while serving others, as you talk with God throughout your day.

Literacy champion Frank Laubach showed how working to help others and praying constantly in a personal relationship with God go together.

Our society sees through the eyes of billionaires and influencers. God sees from the perspective of the people at the bottom. A comparison.

Actually, the first Christian documents – Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians – used language indicating that Jesus is God 275 years before the Council of Nicaea.

Betty Boynton was a 15-year-old "foot soldier" for voting rights in Selma. Every movement for justice needs foot soldiers. Are you one?