(Scripture quotations are from the New International Version Bible unless otherwise noted.)Obedience to God brings life and blessings; disobedience brings death and misery. When Adam disobeyed God and ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he and all his future children [...]
Yes. A Christian should always be just first. For example, a farmer would be unjust to give food to others if his own family is hungry. We need to fulfill our own responsibilities first. 1Timothy 5:8 (NIV), “Anyone who does not provide for their [...]
In Job chapters 1-2, we read Job was a righteous man and enjoyed a blessed life. However, Satan believed Job was loyal to God only because of the rewards of faithfulness. God then allowed Satan to afflict Job with severe trials…to prove (or disprove) Job’s loyalty. During [...]
That’s part of the picture. Micah 6:8 (NKJV), “ what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” You recognized Jesus’ summary of God’s requirements: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with [...]
Can you imagine Jesus hanging out in a bar? No. Sinners would search for Jesus and find Him in healthy places. Jesus did not seek out people having a good time in unhealthy places. One problem with going to bars is that it encourages [...]
The first Psalm compares Jesus and His followers, those who walk in purity of heart, with those who walk in sinful paths. Christians produce the good fruits of the spirit as they drink on the pure doctrines of truth. Whereas sinful man perishes. It's [...]
The following is a brief interpretation of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish (Unwise) Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-10:25:1 “…like 10 virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom”These are pure, holy people – not lovers of sinLamps represent [...]
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 [...]
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). [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
First, we ask: "Do I have a guilty conscience? Do I have a heartache because of my behaviors or thoughts?" Then immediately follow 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify [...]
1 Peter 3:1-2 (NASB), “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe [...]
