Summary: Forgiveness is dependent upon our faith in God’s word. A Christian embraces the truths in God’s word. We remember, “without faith it is impossible to please God,” (Hebrews 11:1). Consequently, we study the Bible, have faith in the scriptures, and apply it. In [...]
When God created Adam and Eve, they were created in His image. (Genesis 1:26, 27.) They had God’s perfect laws of love and justice written in their hearts. The Apostle Paul explains that all mankind (including Gentiles) knows right from wrong. “Indeed, when Gentiles, [...]
In Leviticus 18, God commanded Israel to set aside one tenth of all they had to be offered to Him. When Israel began to inherit the promised land, God designated different geographical locations for each tribe. The tribe of Levi, however, was not given [...]
Procrastination and laziness can be related. When people procrastinate their responsibilities, there is a tendency to choose pleasure (television, naps, etc.) over work. King Solomon addressed this issue in Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV). “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! [...]
Yes, fear is tormenting. But, dear one, God does not want you to fear. Instead, remember 1 John 4:16 (NIV), “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love.” When we believe this [...]
A Christian is a follower of Jesus. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me,’” Matthew 16:24. In order to do this, a person must first recognize [...]
“God is love,” 1 John 4:8. Also, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” (John 3:16). He gave the most precious gift He had, his son. Love has an element of sacrifice, putting the interest of others first. “It [...]
God is love and forgiveness is a manifestation of love. God’s character and essence is love. His every intention for his creatures is their highest welfare. Even before the earth or man was created, God knew Adam would sin. And at that time, God had already [...]
Beginning with the first verse of Matthew 6, Jesus discusses five areas of important Christian development. Give to the needy. This is a way to ‘practice righteousness’ in verses 1-4. Pray, which allows us to communicate with our heavenly father and develop the proper [...]
The New Testament does not instruct Christians to pay a bride price (lobola). However, Romans 12:18 teaches, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." If the bride's family requests a lobola, and it is a [...]
Conflicts between brethren are very personal matters to be handled as quietly as possible. The broad principle stated in Titus 3:2 should be honored, “Speak evil of no man”. If we are to “love our brother as ourselves,” Matthew 12:31, we surely want to be [...]
In the New Testament, we find no mention of “collecting firstfruits” from believers. “Firstfruits” is a picture of Christ or his church (See: 1 Corinthians 15:20,23, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV, and Revelation 14:4).In Old Testament times, the Israelites were instructed to “bring the best [...]
Biological Information: One's gender is determined by genes at conception. Females have XX genes, while males have XY genes. Surgery and hormones cannot transform the numerous differences between sexes. In fact, for those dear people who do undergo sex reassignment treatment, the emotional and [...]
Psalm 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”The definition of the word “meditate” from Strong’s Concordance is hâgâh, to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder.So, then, what is God’s [...]
The book of Exodus records that the whole nation of Israel was living in bondage under the Egyptians. Israel’s liberation came from God through the leadership of Moses. Because they had never existed as a free, self-governing nation, it was necessary that they receive [...]
“This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations…for the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; [...]
Galatians 4:3-5, 7, 9 (CSB), “…we also,…were in slavery under the elements of the world. When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive [...]
Scriptures say "If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18) There is a difference in living in "peace" and living in "harmony." Though we have no right to force our beliefs upon another, as Christians, [...]
Yes, deaconesses may be elected in the church (ecclesia). In fact, the Bible mentions one sister who served in that capacity, although it doesn’t say whether or not she was elected. Romans 16:1 (NIV), “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon (servant) [...]
We start this cleansing process by keeping our minds focused on God. Romans 12:1,2 (Phillips translation), “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within…meet all his demands and move toward the goal [...]
