Have you grown up hearing that you need to know the Bible? Maybe you took it off the shelf to read or maybe not. Did you ever ask yourself…why? And was your conclusion ‘just because?’ Let’s see what the Bible itself has to say.
Continue reading “Why Do I Need to Know the Bible?”
The big picture. It’s important to know, but easy to forget about. It’s easy for our thoughts and minds to be completely consumed with what’s right in front of us. Maybe it’s unexpected bad news. Perhaps it was something someone said to you, or a huge event or presentation looming before you. No matter how hard you try, it’s all you can think about, captivating your attention at all times.
We often lose sight of the big picture when hard times hit or when we focus too much on the little details. As believers, it’s often our lives of faith that end up getting pushed to the sidelines when something in life hits us hard and consumes our thoughts. God and His plans are forgotten while we worry about the other issues right in front of us. What happens when we forget about the big picture? And before we even answer that, another question: what is God’s big picture?
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Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long...
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”–and you forgave the guilt of my sin…
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalms 32
Continue reading “You Are My Hiding Place – The Psalms Series”
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
Why does it cost everything we have to get wisdom and understanding of God? Are we supposed to go into debt enrolling in a theology school? Sell everything we have in order to understand God better?
Actually, the word of God should be given without cost (Isaiah 55:1-3, Revelation 22:17). Rich or poor, anyone who is thirsty for the word of God is able to receive it. So why does the Bible say it costs everything we have? In fact, there is a cost to receiving God’s word–we have to let go of something in order to receive and keep it.
Continue reading “Get Wisdom, No Matter the Cost – The Proverbs Series”
Ask any Christian, “Why do you carry out a life of faith?” To go to heaven will probably be at the top of most people’s list. But take those same people and ask, “How do you get to heaven?” and then you might start to get different answers.
Some people say you just need to believe in Jesus, while others say you need to be a good person and do good things for others, or countless different other answers. Well, which is it? How can I know 100% that I’m going to heaven? And what do God and Jesus have to say about this in the Bible? We’ll learn that it’s not as easy as some may think.
Continue reading “Going to Heaven Might Not Be As Easy As You Think”
The famous John the Baptist. Many of us have heard of or learned about him before. On the surface, it looks like he was one of the first to believe in and follow Jesus. But there is more to his story that many often miss.
Continue reading “A Closer Look: The Lesser-Known Truth of John the Baptist”
O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?
Turn, O LORD and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
Continue reading “How Long, O LORD, How Long? – The Psalms Series”
When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126
Continue reading “The Lord Has Done Great Things – The Psalms Series”
It’s morning and you go to the bathroom to check yourself in the mirror. Time to see what I look like…
Maybe you’re excited to see your appearance at the start of the day. Maybe you’re expecting the worst. Once we see something in the mirror that we don’t like about our appearance, we usually attempt to fix it before going out. But did you know that your spirit has a mirror too?
Continue reading “Have You Looked in the Mirror Lately?”
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Proverbs 25:21
While it’s important to take care of the physical needs of people–even our enemies–you may be surprised to hear that there’s more to this proverb of King Solomon.
Continue reading “Food We Should Give to Our Enemies – The Proverbs Series”