How do you measure your faithfulness? How do you measure your Christian walk? While some want to argue that works are not necessary to one’s relationship with God, Scripture teaches otherwise (Eph. 2:10; Jas. 1:21-25; 2:14-26; 1 Cor. 15:58). In fact, the Bible tells us, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor.…
The God of heaven is perfect and does not need anything (Acts 17:25)—the entire world is His, and everything in it (Psa. 50:12). So, He did not need man to complete Himself, yet He still created us. To God, you are worth it! God knew that you and I and all of His created beings were going to…
The Bible begins with God speaking and with God speaking in very clear terms. The first chapter of the Bible presents God speaking eleven times. “God said…God said…God said…God said…God said…God said…God blessed them, saying…God said…God said…God said to them…God said” (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29). Of the 31 verses in that first chapter, God…
The word “persuaded” is used multiple times in the New Testament. Its Greek origin (peitho) means “to cause to come to a particular point of view or course of action,” such as when Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). Have you fully yielded yourself, having been fully persuaded to the truth of Christ and His word?…
The Bible says that “the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word” in Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:44). Many have decided that this means that the Gentiles were saved at this point. However, the Bible never says that they were saved when the Holy Spirit fell upon them, and in fact, it says just the…
Peter concludes this list of Christian graces with the highest and most comprehensive quality: “add…to brotherly kindness love” (2 Pet. 1:7). This is the pinnacle of spiritual growth. The word used here is agape—a love that seeks the highest good of others. It goes beyond affection for fellow Christians and extends to all people, including enemies (Matt. 5:44). It is the fullest…
Does your work have you busy? Maybe now more than ever? Nothing wrong with having a job (2 Thess. 3:10). But what if my work dominates my schedule and keeps me too busy and distracted to actively serve my Lord, which is my whole purpose in living? Does the schedule of your kids’ activities and hobbies have you…
The present tense verb in Greek indicates ongoing, continuous or habitual action. Three of those verbs are used in one verse to describe the activity of the devil. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil WALKS ABOUT (present tense) like a ROARING (present tense) lion, SEEKING (present tense) whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The…