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Crosswalk’s Top 10 Most-Read Faith Articles of 2018

Crosswalk’s Top 10 Most-Read Faith Articles of 2018

At Crosswalk, we’re blessed by how our readers connect all aspects of life to God’s purposes. Through our Faith channels, we love sharing truth, guidance, and inspiration to motivate your faith journey.

It’s always enlightening to review what you loved most. So, thanks to you, here are the top 10 Most-Read Faith articles from 2018, counting down from #10 to the #1 fave.

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#10: 9 Reasons We Know Christ is Returning

#10: 9 Reasons We Know Christ is Returning

Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God’s Word, John MacArthur rolls out Biblical proof of Christ’s return, in this summary article, adapted from MacArthur’s book The Second Coming.

Pointing to 2 Peter 3:3-10, MacArthur explains that world history is barreling toward the conclusion that God ordained. Not an end that will come as a result of nuclear war, environmental irresponsibility, or alien invasion; but one that comes by the purpose and plan of God, foretold in Scripture.

With straightforward conviction, MacArthur presents nine forces demanding Jesus’ return, and backs each up soundly with scripture: 1) God’s promises, 2) Christ’s teachings, 3) testimony of the Holy Spirit, 4) the program for the church, 5) corruption in the world, 6) the future of Israel, 7) the vindication of Christ, 8) destruction of Satan, and 9) he hope of the saints.

Make no mistake, says MacArthur: Christ will return! 

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#9: What Are the Fruit of the Spirit?

#9: What Are the Fruit of the Spirit?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)

In this article, self-professed “former cultural Christian,” author Kathy Howard reinforces the blessing of demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit, by pointing to scriptural truths that support each fruit. Her clear, concise approach reminds readers that: love is a deliberate choice; joy is a promise of fullness; peace is ours to embrace; patience is possible in a want-it-now culture; kindness and goodness reflect God’s character; faithfulness is obedience to the one who is faithful; gentleness is the strength of grace; and self-control gives us the power to say “yes” to fostering a beautiful, bountiful harvest of spiritual fruit!

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#8: Miracle Prayer – How to Ask God for a Miracle

#8: Miracle Prayer – How to Ask God for a Miracle

This article is adapted from Linda Evans Shepard’s book When You Need a Miracle: How to Ask God for the Impossible. Written to equip and encourage readers to invite God to take over, the article opens with three prayers: 1) honor God’s ability to do the impossible, 2) thank Him for answering prayers, and 3) ask for His will to be done.

What follows are 10 powerful tips for aligning your heart with His in circumstances that seem impossible. The tips include offering forgiveness, fighting evil, praising God, taking daily steps, and never giving up on praying and trusting. A highlight of this piece is Sara Groves’ music video.

In her song, Miracle, Sara urges: Let’s heal where we couldn’t heal, let’s say what we cannot say. Let’s see what we cannot see, let’s hear what we could not hear. Oh, it’s a mystery. Love is a mystery. It’s a miracle.

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#7: What is Easter: Understanding the History and Symbols

#7: What is Easter: Understanding the History and Symbols

Excerpted from Holidays & Holy Days, by Susan E. Richardson, this helpful article delves into eight interesting aspects associated with our annual celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

In it, readers learn about: how humanity chose which day to celebrate Easter, the possible origin of the word Easter, the pagan association of a rabbit with the holiday, the ancient views of eggs as a symbol of life, the Christian symbol of the lamb at Easter (John 1:29 and 1 Peter 1:18-21), the custom of white robes and new clothes, the first recorded sunrise service, and the reason white lilies are associated with Easter.

It wraps up with a beautiful Prayer for Easter Sunday.

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#6: 5 Indicators of a Wicked and Evil Heart

#6: 5 Indicators of a Wicked and Evil Heart

Confusing, craving, controlling…without conscience or remorse. Do you know someone like this? Loaded with scriptural truths to strengthen your discernment, this article by Leslie Vernick of the Association of Biblical Counselors, sheds light into the darkness of dealing with people who are more than difficult.

Explaining the difference between sin and evil, remorse and self-reverence, this piece paints a powerful portrait of evil beliefs: that horrible actions should have no consequences; and that if I just talk truth, my actions don’t have to align. It begs the question: Do you think an evil person can really change?

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#5: 5 Questions about Heaven Billy Graham Answered

#5: 5 Questions about Heaven Billy Graham Answered

In our own homage to Billy Graham on his journey home to Jesus, Crosswalk’s Carrie Dedrick shares a vision of heaven through Graham’s own words. Dedrick observes: Graham’s wisdom teaches us that heaven will be beyond anything our earthly minds can comprehend…where we will experience unspeakable joy.

Graham’s wisdom offers five enlightening promises: that death is not to be feared, and we will receive new bodies. Nothing of our earthly memories will cast any shadow on the joy in store. Our perspective will be heavenly, and we will see past pain. Angels will escort us to heaven. And, finally – Heaven will have everything we need. 

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#4: What the Bible Says about Suicide: 7 Reminders of Hope

#4: What the Bible Says about Suicide: 7 Reminders of Hope

Opening with the gentle reminder that suicide is not a new issue, writer Debbie McDaniel lists seven Biblical figures who took their own lives: King Saul, Saul’s armor-bearer, Samson, King Abimelech, Ahithophel, Zimri, and Judas.

Although they had a better choice, McDaniel points out in this article that nowhere does the Bible indicate that the act of suicide is an unforgivable sin as a believer. The Bible is clear: when we are in Christ, nothing will separate us from Him, not even death.

The better part is comprised of seven reminders of hope for those struggling: 1) recognize the real enemy, 2) refuse to fear, 3) realize you’re not alone, 4) believe that God loves you, 5) know God is always with you, 6) accept that He does not condemn you, and 7) remember God has a good plan for you.

For immediate assistance, a link to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is included.

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#3: 8 Huge Myths about Hell

#3: 8 Huge Myths about Hell

The world tosses the notion of hell around as if it may even be a party, or worse a place where believing sinners are sent by an incorrect God. Sam Storms wants these myths disproven, and with an unshakable confidence in the inerrant truth of the Bible, he counters popular myths about hell in this article.

Storms offers these truths: Hell is not a party; it’s isolation. Satan doesn’t reign in hell, he suffers. Satan doesn’t torment humans in hell; rather Satan is under God’s punishment. Those in hell are not seeking mercy; they defy God. No one in hell is there by accident; God’s justice is impeccable. The Bible doesn’t say that those in hell will be released. And finally, hell is eternal remorse for what was rejected.

Storms wraps it up with a reminder that the truths about hell should provoke anguish, urgency, and unfathomable gratitude.

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#2: 30 Inspiring Christian Quotes

#2: 30 Inspiring Christian Quotes

As lovers of the Word, believers embrace that words are generative. God himself had only to speak words to create life eternal. We’re not surprised that our collection of inspiring quotes topped high in 2018.

With quotes about life, love, work, promises, fear, desires, significance, and more, a variety of influential Christians inspire and point us back to Christ. What a joy that God is the basis for all of our inspiration. He is the basis for everything good and everything worth imitating.

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#1: 10 Things to Know about Speaking in Tongues

#1: 10 Things to Know about Speaking in Tongues

Ah, sweet mysteries life. We’re encouraged that our readers seek, making this unique article a top choice. The spiritual gift of speaking in tongues remains controversial, so in this article, Sam Storms explores the nature and function of tongues speech.

Storms contends that “tongues” in Acts were real human languages; and that some people may be able to speak in angelic or heavenly tongues. He views speaking in tongues as prayer and praise that may be interpreted into prophecy. He also offers that tongues may be a sign for unbelievers; and may be spiritually beneficial even if not cognitively understood.

He reminds us that Paul prayed privately in tongues; and that while not all have the gift, it doesn’t mean someone can’t. Finally, Storms clarifies that anyone who speaks in tongues may not necessarily experience ecstasy or lose control – but they will likely experience emotions of exhilaration, joy, or peace.

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