What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? Learn how you can know God personally.
Learn the basics of what Christians believe.
Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices.
We all have a story. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith.
Everyone has their own spiritual journey with the Lord. How can we help you move forward in yours today? Take the next step in your faith journey with devotionals and other resources for spiritual growth.
If you were created for community, why can relationships — family, dating, co-workers, neighbors — be so hard? Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God.
Find resources for personal or group Bible study.
Sharing your faith is one of our most important callings as followers of Christ. Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus.
Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring.
Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others.
Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage.
Advancing the Great Commission using digital tools.
Engaging around sports to help athletes think and live biblically.
Teaching life skills for making right choices
How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus.
Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Cru’s annual report and more.
What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation.
When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen.
Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit.
Learn about Cru's global leadership team.
My nephew and I were sitting on the cement steps outside my parents’ home talking about life – and birthdays.
Cyrus had begun to comprehend what a birthday is and was anxiously awaiting the next day, when family and presents were certain to arrive.
I asked, “Cyrus, how old are you today?”
“Two,” he answered.
“And how old will you be tomorrow?”
“Freee!” he squealed. A wide smile stretched across his freckled face.
“Wow. You are getting so big!” I replied. “How old will you be the next day?”
“Two,” he said matter-of-factly.
I find myself applying Cyrus’ faulty line of thinking to my Christian life. I revert to living based on what used to be true about me.
Spiritually speaking, I once was dead. I had no hope. I was enslaved by sin.
But God stepped in. He sent His son, Jesus, to set me free from this kind of slavery. Jesus died on a cross, was buried and then He came back to life. His death was the payment needed to purchase my freedom.
When I placed my faith and trust in what Jesus did, my identity, life and future dramatically changed.
In the Bible, the Book of Ephesians lists many of the good things that are now true for every follower of Jesus, including me. I am:
Because of who Jesus is and what He did, I am free.
The benefits of freedom are mine for the taking. But like my nephew Cyrus, I often live in yesterday. Turning back to who I used to be rather than embracing the freedom I have been given in Christ, I revert to living like a slave. I live under rules and burdens and expectations from which Jesus, my Savior, has already set me free.
To experience the freedom that is in front of me, I need a reminder.
In Galatians 5:1 (New International Version), I read, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
As our country turns its attention to freedom this Independence Day, take time to think through the answers to the following questions. They just may unleash a fresh wave of freedom in your heart and life.
I told my nephew that day how birthdays really work — that the numbers continue to add as the years go by. They are never taken away.
Tomorrow, I agreed, he would be 3. In time, he would be 4.
His eyes grew wide with wonder. His world shifted, and a different kind of smile emerged on his face.
Next Steps to Freedom: Read “The Forgiveness God Offers.”
Every follower of Christ that I know desires unhurried time with God. But why does it seem like that is the one thing that is most often and most easily neglected?
Here are 3 specific ways journaling can help you connect with God.
©1994-2020 Cru. All Rights Reserved.