Haven Today

It’s fun to get gifts – especially if it’s just the thing you want — but the greatest gift any of us have ever received is when the presence of God came to live among us.

Sometimes we forget that the promise of Christmas is found in the Old Testament. When the Father sent his Son two thousand years ago, it was an answered promise and the most important Christmas gift.

It’s not easy being a Christian in this world. Low points like sadness, despair, suffering, and doubt are inescapable stops on our journey of faith. Thankfully, we don’t tread this path alone.

If life is a pilgrimage, then that begs certain questions. Like, "What dangers do we face on this spiritual journey?” and “Is this a path we travel alone?

If you trust in Jesus, will all your problems be over? Of course not! Yes, Jesus delivers us from sin and death, but we are all still humans on a journey through this fallen world.

When encountering obstacles in life, the typical response is to try handling it in our own strength and on our own terms. But where can you turn when your burdens become too big to bear?

Tyler Van Halteren is a missionary in Cambodia who also has the heart and skills to creatively introduce one of the greatest Christian books of all time to a new generation. Hear his story.

The details of the nativity are well known. A baby, a manger, a few shepherds, and some wise men. But why did Christ come to earth in the first place? The answer is found in his most famous parable.

Not much is known of what took place between Christ’s birth and ministry. And yet one event that often gets overlooked was his first visit to Jerusalem ... as a baby.

Infanticide. It’s one of the most vile things you could possibly imagine, and it takes place in first pages of the New Testament. What is there for us to learn from this often-ignored nativity story?

If you’ve ever seen or acted in a church Christmas play, you know what the wise men offered Jesus. But why were they significant? More than symbolism, these offerings fulfilled an ancient prophecy.

The wise men journeyed from the East to find the King of Kings. Finally, they arrived in the small, back-country town of Bethlehem. What did they expect? Were they disappointed?

What was Bethlehem really like in the first century? Even though it was famous, this small town was often overlooked. And it turns out, this made it the perfect place for a king to be born.

Why would a group of shepherds the first ones to hear about Christ’s birth? And what does that mean for you and me?

The story of Joseph and Mary is full of echoes of the Old Testament. Not only do their lives move Israel’s story forward, but they also embody some of God’s biggest promises.

Mary, the mother of Jesus. We all know the story . . . or do we? Listen in on today’s episode that seeks to find the real Mary of the Bible.

There is so much about Christmas that is not necessarily Christmas. Once you look past the lore to the real manger, you can meet Jesus in a vibrant way. 

Breakfast may be known as the most important meal of the day, but it can also be lauded as the setting for one of the most important stories in the gospels.

When it comes to simple truths, adults have the tendency to make things complicated. Perhaps this is why Jesus wants all of us to be more like children when we come to him.

Life usually doesn’t turn out the way we expect—this seems to be doubly true in 2020. But this is also what we should expect when responding to Christ’s call to “follow me.”

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about church? Singing, Sermons, and Sunday School might top your list. But what about rest?

You may have heard Jesus’ hard sayings, like “take up your cross,” “narrow is the way,” and “sell your possessions.” But before any of us can comply, we must “come unto him.”

Scripture promises that God provides and does all things for the good of those who love him. But what about when we turn our backs on him or lose faith?

Mary Magdalene is the most enigmatic of all the Marys mentioned in the Gospels. She was also one of Christ’s most devoted followers. If we can get to know her better, we’ll also know Jesus better too.

When Jesus calmed the storm with just a word, he wasn’t just doing a one-time parlor trick. This moment in Bible history holds great significance for anyone facing a unique storm in life.

“Do you want to be healed?” That is what Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda. It’s also a question for us. But the promise isn’t just about overcoming illness and physical ailments.

What comes to your mind when you think of Satan? A man in a red suit holding a pitchfork? A cartoon? These devilish images may be common in our culture, but the Bible paints a very different picture.

Does the temperament of God change from the Old Testament to the New? What may seem like contradictions are actually elements God masterfully uses to convey his full redemption story.

Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, the good news is an invitation for anybody to experience God’s love and become united with his people. But what about those who have done evil against us?

John the Baptist was a powerful prophet, but even he had a moment of doubt. On today’s program, Charles Morris takes a closer look at who John was and how he met Jesus.

James and John were zealous in everything, even to the point of wishing violence on their neighbors. What changed these sons of thunder into loving, self-sacrificing leaders in the faith?

The coming of the Messiah was the most important event in human history. But the people Jesus chose to follow him ranged from the ordinary to the outcast. Not much has changed in 2,000 years.

Time and time again, God works in ways we do not expect. In Ruth, we see the Lord subvert expectations by bringing an outsider into his great plan of redemption.

If you want a perfect picture of redemption, look no further than the cross. If you want to see how it plays out between two people, read the book of Ruth.

Christians are people of grace. We are redeemed by grace, and we live by the grace of God. But what does that mean, exactly? There are few demonstrations of grace more beautiful than this.

How does the Lord work in the little, seemingly insignificant moments of our lives? And where is he at when everything seems to go wrong?

The book of Ruth is the account of an ordinary family going through very real, messy struggles in life. It’s also a beautiful example of God’s hidden presence in our daily circumstances.

Jonah was a reluctant prophet, upset that God wanted to save a city of terrible people. But the Lord still used Jonah in a mighty way.

Before he became “Father Abraham,” Abram was an average man who wasn’t searching for God. And yet the Lord found him and transformed his heart.

One of the most unlikely stories of faith comes from a pagan prostitute living in enemy territory. This astonishing story reveals the mystery of grace that can turn the most unlikely of hearts to God.

The life of Ruth is an unexpected story about trust in God. On today’s episode, hear how she left everything to follow the Lord during a faithless time in Israel’s history.

What happens when you meet God? The Bible is full of stories about regular people who have an encounter with the Lord, and their lives are dramatically changed forever.

How can dry bones live again? The Prophet Ezekiel explains it is only through the breath of the living God.

Some of the greatest stories of conversion started with “Come and see.” Often, it’s a personal relationship with someone that sparks our interest in Jesus, and the Spirit fans that spark into faith.