Righteousness is achieved through aligning with God’s standards. Justification frees believers from striving for approval and allows them to walk in grace.
Hester, facing her twentieth sinus surgery, finds joy and comfort in her faith despite her husband’s frustration. A transformative encounter with Jesus, facilitated by her friend Julia, led Hester to believe in God’s presence and love, helping her cope with her illness.
A clean heart is achieved through a process of renewal involving honesty, confession, forgiveness, trust, and daily practices, as God reveals and cleanses the heart’s condition.
New Christians should prioritize a personal relationship with Jesus, focusing on faith in His resurrection, and embracing their unique spiritual journey within a supportive communitity.
The article explores the differing beliefs surrounding infant baptism and its connection to original sin. Biblical Christians argue that repentance and faith are essential for salvation, and infants cannot personally repent.
Transformation begins in the mind, not circumstances. By surrendering thoughts to God and meditating on His truth, believers can break free from negative thought patterns and align their thinking with His perspective.
Sin is not a passive mistake but an active, intelligent presence that desires control, as described in Genesis 4:7. It operates with strategy, waiting for opportunities to overpower, similar to a predator. To overcome sin, one must confess, repent, invite Christ in, and take decisive physical actions to remove access points.
The Tree of Life, a symbol of restored fellowship and divine provision, reappears in Revelation, bearing fruit monthly in the New Jerusalem. This suggests that eternity will unfold in rhythm and sequence, with time redeemed and a meaningful progression.
The Disciples’ Prayer, a Christian model, emphasizes reverence for God, submission to His will, and daily dependence on Him for provision, forgiveness, and guidance.
The article explores the theme of joy expressed through movement in the Bible, highlighting examples like David dancing before the ark and Miriam leading a dance after the Red Sea crossing. It argues that this physical expression of joy is a natural and God-honoring response to His presence, deliverance, and renewal.
Peter emphasizes spiritual growth, urging believers to cultivate virtues and avoid false teachings. He highlights Scripture’s reliability and encourages growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The article compares the two ordinances of the church, baptism and communion, exploring their significance and differences. Baptism is an outward sign of salvation, symbolizing repentance and faith, while communion is a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and a call to self-examination and submission.
Christian life centers on inward transformation, starting with the heart and mind, leading to outward change and a life reflecting God’s truth and grace.
The article examines five biblical miracle stories, emphasizing God’s power, mercy, and sovereignty. It highlights the importance of faith and obedience in overcoming trials.
Micah warns Judah and Jerusalem of judgment for injustice but offers hope of a remnant and a peaceful ruler from Bethlehem, concluding with God’s mercy and forgiveness.
The purpose of life, according to the Bible, is to glorify God. This involves living in a way that reflects God’s glory through our actions, relationships, and service to Him. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are promised eternal life.
Trusting God involves acting in faith, as exemplified by biblical figures like David and Nehemiah. The author shares personal experiences of God’s provision during challenging times, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and recognizing God’s faithfulness through unexpected blessings.
The author shares her personal struggles as a new Christian, emphasizing the transformative power of faith and encouraging others to embrace their beliefs.
The article explores the enduring peace offered by Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace,” as described in Isaiah 9:6. It emphasizes that this peace is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in God’s presence and power.
Ecclesiastes emphasizes wisdom over folly, advocating for industriousness and wise work. Christians should guard against folly and be stewards of God’s wisdom.
The article explores the concept of healing from a Biblical Christian Worldview, emphasizing both physical and spiritual healing. It highlights how the Bible offers insight and guidance for those seeking healing, showcasing God’s power to heal the body and restore the soul.
The Bible, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, helps believers discern truth and resist deception. Cultivating discernment involves daily Bible reading, memorization, prayerful reflection, and mentorship.
Believers are both dead to sin and called to actively resist it daily. This paradox reflects the tension between positional and progressive sanctification, requiring believers to maintain alignment with their identity and witness to the world.
Legacy is not about material possessions but about the spiritual and relational impact we leave on others. It is shaped by our daily choices and actions, and it is passed down through generations. It is not about us but about those we leave behind in the hopes they too will follow our moral foundations in this life and into the next, to Heaven.
Jesus commanded us to ask and keep on asking in faith, not nag out of selfish desires. We should align our prayers with God’s will, seeking His kingdom and daily provision, rather than material wealth.
A time-bound plan, like a 60- or 90-day Bible reading plan, helps readers grasp the full storyline of Scripture and cultivate a deeper hunger for God’s Word.
Christian ethics involves embodying Christ’s life, unlearning cultural biases, and following Christ as a moral model, emphasizing humility, integrity, courage, and compassion.
The author explores the significance of water in the Bible and its connection to spiritual growth and new beginnings. Schultz shares her personal experience of navigating through difficult times, drawing strength from biblical passages like Isaiah 43:1-5 and Matthew 11:28-30. She emphasizes God’s faithfulness and presence during challenging times, highlighting how He carries burdens and fights battles.
The author recounts a chance encounter with his extended family in Arcadia, Nebraska, facilitated by a bartender. This divine moment sparked forgiveness and deepened his understanding of God’s love.
Relational stewardship prioritizes being present, listening, and pursuing reconciliation, reflecting God’s heart in every interaction. It emphasizes faithfulness in relationships over accomplishments.
God owns everything, and we are managers of His gifts. This perspective shifts focus from ownership to obedience, encouraging believers to live, lead, and love with a mindset of faithful management.
Grief has a way of making time stand still. In the quiet moments of loss, the world feels dimmer, the air heavier, and the heart weighed down with longing. To mourn is to feel the ache of love interrupted. We mourn because we love, and love leaves a mark....
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
Solomon starts the third chapter of Ecclesiastes with a haunting poem:
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die;A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;A time to kill, and a time...
Growing up, I knew that if I believed in Jesus, I had “been redeemed.”
I knew it was a good thing. But I don’t think I could have told you what that really meant.
Let me try and change that now. And I’ll use home ownership as a way to try...
A Personal Perspective
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16).
When I read...
Many years ago, part of my job in ministry was to hire chaplains as evangelists in the workplace all across America. Applicants were typically seminary-trained pastors who desired to share the gospel, build relationships, and care for company employees, rather than attend church committee meetings and dealing with home-grown...
Covenantal language has always been a part of human society.
A covenant is an agreement made between a party and a counter party.
The two parties make a commitment to each other and agree that certain activities will (or will not) be done.
It’s a promise of fidelity.
Examples of Covenants
A mortgage loan...
The ancient people of God, the Israelites, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were chosen to receive a special message from God revealing to them who He was, how they could have a relationship with Him, and what His plan was for His chosen people.
In an age filled...
It has always seemed absurd to me that various denominations of Christianity constantly battle each other. We all claim to believe in the same God and the same Jesus, so why is much of our energy spent arguing? As humans, our tendency is to work to convince others of...
Another story about learning from the past.
Onuphrius was lost in prayer and the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. He was standing at the top of the hill above his cave. His arms were beyond the point of numbness, raised in worship and supplication.
The sun would soon be rising,...
To be a follower of Jesus is a calling that encompasses belief, obedience, transformation, and commitment. Jesus Himself articulated the essence of discipleship in the Gospels, and His life, death, and resurrection provide the foundation for understanding what it means to follow Him. Let us take a look at...
In today’s world, people of faith often find themselves navigating workplaces, schools, and communities where their beliefs aren’t widely shared or openly celebrated. Living out Christian values in a predominantly secular environment can be challenging, yet it is also an incredible opportunity to reflect the love, compassion, and strength...
The four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — present the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although they are all foundational to Christianity, each Gospel is distinct in its approach, audience, and emphasis. Understanding the differences between these Gospels provides greater insight into the multifaceted nature of Jesus Christ...