Bible Study secondary channel Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:21:47 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/reasons-why-jesus-wept-is-one-of-the-bibles-most-comforting-verses.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/reasons-why-jesus-wept-is-one-of-the-bibles-most-comforting-verses.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ John 11:35 – “Jesus wept” – is the shortest verse in the entire Bible. Because it’s brief, you may quickly move past it to get what comes soon after it, when Jesus performs the miracle of resurrecting his friend Lazarus from the dead. But if you take time to consider these two words, you can discover that they’re one of the Bible’s most comforting verses. They can completely change your perspective on who God is. The words “Jesus wept” show you that God knows the pain of living in this fallen world and that he cares very much about human suffering here. This short Bible verse highlights how God is close to you whenever you’re suffering. God sees what you’re going through, he understands how painful it feels, he cares, and he wants to help you.Here are five reasons why “Jesus wept” is one of the Bible’s most comforting verses. Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Motortion  Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/popular-christianity-qa/is-polygamy-biblical.html https://www.crosswalk.com/popular-christianity-qa/is-polygamy-biblical.html Amanda Idleman https://www.crosswalk.com/author/amanda-idleman/ In a culture drifting from God’s blueprint for marriage, here’s a clear, Scripture-based reminder of why one man and one woman remains His good and protective design. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:10:05 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-to-do-when-the-verse-of-the-day-doesnt-speak-to-your-heart.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-to-do-when-the-verse-of-the-day-doesnt-speak-to-your-heart.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ Sometimes when you open your Bible app, check your email, or read one of your favorite daily devotionals online, the “verse of the day” is something you can apply to your life right away. It relates to something that’s happening in your life right now, and it speaks to your heart with the inspiration you need. But what about days when the verse that comes up doesn’t speak to your heart? There are days when the verse of the day you read doesn’t really connect with you. You may feel like your faith is weak if God’s word doesn’t instantly inspire you. After all, Hebrews 4:12 points out that: “…the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Since God’s word is alive and active, shouldn’t every single verse inspire you? The good news is that your faith isn’t failing. You’re just having a normal human experience in your walk with God. The Bible is a large and complex book. Sometimes, a single verse taken out of its context just doesn’t seem inspiring at first. Instead of just forgetting about daily Bible verses that don’t speak to your heart right away, what if you saw them as invitations from God to seek him more on those days? Here are 5 actions you can take when the verse of the day doesn’t speak to your heart.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/andreswd  Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/why-biblically-accurate-angel-christmas-tree-toppers-will-surprise-you.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/why-biblically-accurate-angel-christmas-tree-toppers-will-surprise-you.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ The tradition of decorating Christmas trees has been an essential part of the holiday season for centuries. At the top of many Christmas trees sits an angel – a symbol of the heavenly hosts who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds on that first Christmas night. For many people, these angelic tree toppers are gentle, comforting figures with serene expressions, soft robes, and delicate wings. However, a surprising trend has emerged in recent years, driven by viral memes and internet culture: using biblically accurate angels as Christmas tree toppers.These biblically accurate angels are far from the cute and comforting cherubs people have grown accustomed to seeing on Christmas trees. Instead, they’re mysterious, awe-inspiring, and sometimes so frightening that they tell people who see them not to be afraid. These angels, as described in the Bible, can feature multiple wings, eyes covering their bodies, and wheels within wheels. The resurgence of interest in these otherworldly beings challenges the traditional view of angels.Here’s why biblically accurate angel Christmas tree toppers will surprise you, and why decorating your Christmas tree with biblically accurate angels has spiritual value. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Phil Vargas Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/is-god-a-woman.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/is-god-a-woman.html Vivian Bricker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/vivian-bricker/ Even though individuals will try to claim false information about God, such as the belief that He is a woman, God still loves them and wants them to come to know Him. Thus, God is not a woman. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:54:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-are-mountains-so-important-in-the-bible.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-are-mountains-so-important-in-the-bible.html Annette Griffin https://www.crosswalk.com/author/annette-griffin/ Rough-hewn stones, starry hosts, lush gardens, caves, valleys, thunder, rain, and lightning—they all have a story to tell within the narrative of Scripture. But none more so than the mountains in the Bible. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:01:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/5-important-features-of-pauls-greetings.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/5-important-features-of-pauls-greetings.html Candice Lucey https://www.crosswalk.com/author/candice-lucey/ Paul remained faithful, honest, and gracious, even when he was conveying painful truths designed to convict and foster spiritual refinement to the glory of God. These letters have had an impact on Christians since they were first disseminated, probably even on the one who wrote them. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:51:05 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/6-quiet-time-readings-to-begin-your-day-in-christ.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/6-quiet-time-readings-to-begin-your-day-in-christ.html Wynita Walther https://www.crosswalk.com/author/wynita-walthe/ Morning light slips past my sleeping mask, and I breathe deeply before moving. For many of us, mornings can carry both gratitude and grief, joy for a new day and the weight of what we are walking through. Still, I have found that even in those moments I can make one small choice: to lean into God’s presence and let Him shape how I step into the day.Scripture tells us that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23). Every sunrise is God’s invitation to begin again and to trust that His goodness is still at work. Even when we feel weary, we can receive fresh renewal within and remain anchored in His Word.Yet if we are honest, many of us do not wake up refreshed or overflowing with gratitude. Some mornings, we roll out of bed groggy, sad, short with loved ones, or already anxious about the day ahead. Lack of sleep, worry, a family emergency, or even a bad dream can cloud our outlook before we have had our first cup of tea or coffee. Before long, the whole day feels hijacked by our circumstances or by the mood we allowed to take root.The good news is that we do not have to live at the mercy of our situations or our feelings. When we choose to fix our hearts on God first thing in the morning, our perspective resets, and His peace begins to guide us. Opening Scripture before emails, social media, or even the day’s to-do list anchors us in His love and His truth that cannot be shaken.I have found that when I treat time with God as a nonnegotiable, no matter what’s going on, my days take on a new rhythm. They are not free from challenges, but they are marked by clarity, peace, and strength. With God at the center, I am steadier and less likely to be swept away by worry, irritation, or distraction.Here are six devotions you can use each morning to steady your mind and anchor your day in God’s Word.Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao  Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:32:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/12-scriptures-for-the-12-days-of-christmas.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/12-scriptures-for-the-12-days-of-christmas.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ The Christmas season doesn’t stop after December 25th. Traditionally, the “12 Days of Christmas” span from Christmas Day until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 5th. You have a wonderful opportunity to keep celebrating your Savior’s birth into the new year. You can use these 12 special days to reflect on Bible verses that help you reflect on the meaning of Christmas and grow closer to God in the process.Here are 12 scriptures for your 12 days of Christmas: Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/MKucova  Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:05:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/traditions-we-believe-about-christmas-that-arent-in-the-bible.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/traditions-we-believe-about-christmas-that-arent-in-the-bible.html Barbara Latta https://www.crosswalk.com/author/barbara-latta/ Christmas. This word brings to mind thoughts of snowflakes, peppermint mochas, evergreen trees, baking, parties, and lots and lots of lights. Most of all, Christmas reminds us of Jesus because He is what Christmas is all about.The beauty of our December celebration outshines any other holiday observance. Each year, the decorating activities begin earlier than the year before. (Although I can do without leftover Halloween skeletons wearing Santa suits!) In some stores, glittery decor is on the shelves along with the back-to-school supplies.Travel is at an all-time high during the holiday season. Our family customs are part of what makes these times special. Recipes handed down from grandmas, heirloom ornaments, favorite shows, and even look-alike pajamas. But what about the traditions we have adopted from decades of made-up beliefs that aren’t biblical?Movies, cards, plays, and songs have given us images about the Nativity based on assumptions or wrong interpretations of the scriptures. These presumptions create nice stories, but if we want the truth about Jesus’ birth, we need to examine the record with open eyes.Here are 10 traditions we believe about Christmas that aren’t accurate according to the biblical account.Photo Credit: Unsplash/Jonathan Meyer  Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:05:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:21:47-05:00