In the span of twenty-four hours recently, this question confronted me three times in varying forms. When thinking through it, I realized that the Bible is very specific in what it says one must do in order to be saved. And while it’s ultimately between you and God to know for sure, there are definite,… Continue reading How Do I Know If I Am Really Saved?
Up to this point in America, it has been pretty easy to be a Christian. Throughout its history, most Americans at least identified as Christians, even if they didn’t believe in the biblical definition of it. So, talking the talk has been acceptable even if walking the walk still raised an eyebrow or two. Recently,… Continue reading Are Christians Ready to Live What We Believe?
There are so many verses in the Bible I love, but there is one verse lately that has, well, really been bothering me. It happens to be one of my pastor’s favorites, and he means it as encouragement every time he says it. It’s Galatians 6:9, and the verse starts, “And let us not be… Continue reading 3 Ways to Find Times of Refreshing in Weary Days
Hebrews 12:6 says that the Lord chastens those He loves. I don’t know how He does that with other people, but sometimes when He wants to get my attention, He will sum up my attitude with words that come into my mind as if I’m the one speaking. Usually, that's enough to horrify me into… Continue reading We Are Kings and Priests Unto Our God
In my area, we have a local celebrity. He is about 20 years old with dark skin and bleach-blond hair, and he brings sunshine and happiness wherever he goes. It’s his “thing” to dance. He dances all up one side of a major street in my town and all down the other. Every time I… Continue reading What Shall It Profit to Gain the World?
There is an old saying that goes something like, “If you’re praying for rain, you better bring an umbrella!” It means that we should always pray believing that we will receive what we’re praying for. But believing with your head is one thing. Believing with your life is quite another. Recently, God convicted me of… Continue reading When You Pray Believing, You Will Receive
1 Corinthians 1:26 says that not many mighty are called. The wise and the noble aren’t either. God doesn’t look down at the earth searching for the people who already have the most talent, the greatest skill, or the keenest gut instincts to do great exploits for His kingdom. He looks for those whom He… Continue reading Not Many Mighty Are Called
“It came to pass” is one of those phrases from the Bible that people have really taken hold of over the years. The literal expression means something akin to “and then this happened,” but the message we can get from it is much more profound. It’s an expression that speaks to the transience of both… Continue reading “It Came to Pass” – Beyond a Message of Hope
Sacrifice is a tough word. It means giving up yourself for someone or something else. It’s the system that God set up in the Old Testament to atone for the sins of His people. And it’s the plan He made from the foundation of the world to redeem mankind. But sacrifice isn’t just for salvation.… Continue reading When God Asks for a Sacrifice, It’s Not in Blind Faith
When you talk to Christians online these days, more and more consider themselves “unchurched.” That means that they actively believe in God and even serve Him, but are not affiliated with any local congregation. Some say that God has called them out of an apostate church and hasn’t sent them anywhere else. Some just say,… Continue reading 3 Reasons Christians Should Not Forsake the Assembling
