purpose Archives - As It Is in Heaven

December 22, 2021November 12, 2021

Why is the Bible So Confusing?

When you think about it, the Bible can be really confusing. Looking at the words on the pages takes some careful thought, but even then, it can leave us scratching our heads. Take this verse for example:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”

Revelation 21:1

What comes to mind when you read this verse? Do you think of this passage literally? If so, it seems pretty scary right? The earth and sky (heavens) literally go away and a new (literal) earth and heaven (sky) is being made and there’s no more sea. No more sea? Now this sounds really confusing doesn’t it?

July 12, 2021July 15, 2021

Why Don’t We Follow the Laws of the Old Testament?

laws of the old testament, Bible, God's law, law of Moses

If you have been around the church for a while, you’ve probably heard about the ‘Ten Commandments’ or the Law that God gave to the Israelites. Introducing these Laws of the Old Testament brought about a great shift in the way people at the time lived their lives. Now, there was a clear line between right and wrong. Now they had to be mindful and self-controlled about every decision they made.

June 3, 2021June 8, 2021

People are Leaving the Church – But Why?

leaving the church, why, Christianity, Bible, Jesus, God

Why are so many people leaving church these days?

According to a recent Gallup poll,in 2020 less than 50% of (U.S.) adult Christians regularly attended church. Compare that to the 70% who said they attended a church in 1999. Over the recent decades, the general decline in church and religious affiliation has risen with adults under 40. What is the cause of this? Here are several reasons that can explain why.

April 15, 2021June 10, 2021

It Is Finished: What Jesus Actually Completed

It Is Finished, fulfillment, promises, Jesus

Angry shouts filling the air, curses, beatings, humiliation, pain. And then, the final words from Jesus, “It is finished”. The event of Jesus bearing the cross is a familiar one for most Christians. But how much time do we spend truly reflecting on this moment? Recently, I was reading through the book of Matthew again and came across the account of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Churches and media everywhere commonly refer to this event on Easter or in movies. But take a moment to really put yourself into that moment. Picture what it would’ve been like to be there.

March 25, 2021April 1, 2021

Which Parts of the Bible Apply to Me?

Have you ever picked up the Bible and wondered, “Where do I even begin? Which parts of the Bible apply to me?” I was once told that the New Testament was all that us Christians need to read. They even went as far as saying that the Old Testament was just history. Just references and laws of the past that have nothing to do with our future. The instruction was to start reading from the Gospels to Jude, neglecting the Old Testament and Revelation. Have you ever heard anything similar? It seemed odd that I was only being told to read parts of the Bible, with the assumption that the Old Testament didn’t apply to me.

March 22, 2021April 1, 2021

Why You Shouldn’t Dig for Dinosaurs in the Bible

Have you ever had or heard a conversation along these lines? “Since the Bible only records 6,000 years of history, it’s technically claiming that dinosaurs didn’t exist, right? You know that’s completely impossible…We have scientific evidence to back their existence up.” Usually, things like this derail what could have been an eye-opening discussion on the Bible and faith. Why does this happen so often? For me, before I understood the purpose of the Bible, I never knew how to respond to a comment like this. I’d nod with a, “You do have a point…”

March 4, 2021April 1, 2021

We Talk About the Bible At Church…So Why Can’t I Understand It?

As believers, we should consider from time to time, what’s the purpose of going to church? What’s the purpose of learning God’s word? Is it for community? Is it to understand the Bible and God more?

It’s good to take time to reflect on our current lives of faith. Are we content with them? And if we’re not, then what should we do? When we go to church and talk about God or the Bible, do we understand everything we learn?

January 25, 2021April 15, 2021

6 Practical Tips to Improve Your Life of Faith

It’s start of a new year. A time when motivation for change is at an all-time high and people all around the world renew their energy. It’s a time to start with a clean slate and move on from the shortcomings of the previous year. As a Christian, one of the goals I always made at the beginning of each year was to “have a stronger relationship with God” or “improve my life of faith”.

December 7, 2020August 14, 2021

If Only You Knew…

If only you knew how much God loves you…how much He has worked and fought on your behalf. Like a military general that has been fighting a 6,000 year-long war, planning the most intricate rescue mission to redeem his people from sin and death…from Satan. Did you know?

If only you knew the countless lives that have been sacrificed to get His desperate plea to you: to come back to him. To leave darkness and step into the light. Yes, it’s scary. Everything we’ve ever known has actually been the greatest deception, Satan’s masterpiece. But God is even greater – always ahead of Satan, always working in the background, quietly, naturally, and building his case. And now He is presenting it, to you.

December 7, 2020April 15, 2021

The Origin of Suffering

Isn’t it an easy habit to think that man’s destiny is to live a mere mortal life? To suffer, to become old, and eventually return to dust? Do you ever wonder if every misfortune, even death, is God’s will?

In truth, God’s purpose was not for His creation to go through hardships, suffering, or even death. As we can see in Lamentations 3:33, God doesn’t willingly bring affliction or grief upon anyone. Then, where does this suffering really come from? Couldn’t we conclude that death and suffering come because of the absence of God who is life?