People were drawn to Jesus because of His compassion, love, purity, wisdom, etc. He did not act like a moral policeman, pointing out sins and errors. Instead, he would talk about the uplifting and beautiful. People were encouraged, blessed by His words. In work [...]
Proverbs 17:22, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength." There is a connection between our thoughts and our physical health. Doctors have determined that when a person smiles, his body produces up-lifting hormones (endorphins). A simple smile [...]
Most Christians are Christians in name only, i.e., nominal. They recognize Jesus as their Savior, practice righteous living, attend church, read the Bible, etc. This is a very good first step. However, they have not given their hearts and lives over to God to [...]
Jesus taught there are two foundational commandments for all people in every relationship. Mark 12:30,31: “‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first [...]
Yes! First, it is proper and good for us to pray for each other. Jesus, Himself, prayed for all of His present and future followers. John 17:9, “I (Jesus) pray for them (true Christians). I am not praying for the world but for those [...]
Our hearts go out to you. It sounds like you survived a horrible experience. Perhaps you're asking for what purpose does God want you to live? Or you are wondering why you survived while others died? Maybe you are questioning how can you can [...]
No, the Bible prohibits marriage with any close relative, even your step-father's child. "And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they [...]
"I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, since it is better to marry than to burn with desire." 1 Corinthians 7:8,9 (CSB). [...]
Some of Jesus’ followers were tax collectors and gross sinners. (Luke 15:1) The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were disturbed that Jesus welcomed this fallen class and even ate with them. They believed the “sinners” were living outside of a relationship with God. [...]
The Scriptures show that baptism is deeply meaningful, but we must first understand what kind of baptism the Bible is talking about. Paul explains that true Christian baptism is not simply immersion in water, but a baptism “into Christ’s death.” He writes: “Do you [...]
To obey means to hear God's Word and act accordingly. In the Old Testament, the word “obey” is the Hebrew word “shama,” Stong’s word H8085. It means “to hear” and is often so translated. There are several different Greek words in the New Testament [...]
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live [...]
For every right principle, there is a corresponding wrong principle: truth and falsity, love and hatred, justice and injustice. We distinguish these principles as right and wrong. Discerning between these requires moral sense or conscience. Remember: man was created in God’s image and His [...]
When we are full of joy and gratitude to God, we talk with Him in praises, psalms and songs. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Ephesians. 5:19. We also communicate [...]
First, we ask ourselves these questions: Was I ever drawn to Christ, and then recognized Him as my redeemer? Did I ever fully consecrate myself – my life, my time, my talents, my influence, my all – to God? If we can answer yes, then we [...]
Sadly, homosexuality and bisexuality have become acceptable and lawful in many countries. However, the Bible clearly states that sexual union is only blessed between a man and a woman within the marriage relationship. Matthew 19:5, "…For this cause shall a man leave father and [...]
Self-denial means denying our own natural wills and instead following God’s will in all matters. Does it mean we cannot express our preference to buy chocolate ice cream over vanilla? No. Does it mean we ignore our likes and dislikes? No. It means we [...]
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul teaches that every Christian’s life is like a building. For the building to be strong and to remain, it must first be built upon a strong foundation, that is Jesus Christ (verse 11). It is our responsibility to be [...]
Summary: Spirit begettal is evidenced by our communion with God and a desire to do His will. Actual spirit birth occurs at our resurrection. Discussion: The term “born again” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1080) is not necessarily a correct translation in every scripture. For example, in [...]
The story of Stephen is found in Acts 6 and 7. He was a faithful and mature Christian. He was also chosen as one of the first deacons. Acts 6:2-8, " 'the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be [...]
