If we’re being honest with ourselves, we have to admit that relying on our own strength or ability doesn’t get us too far in our Christian walk. Our patience, love, endurance, goodness—whatever it is that’s required of us in different situations—all eventually run out. And sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of difficulties we simply can’t handle on our own. So how can we be strengthened to...
What Does It Mean to Be Holy?
Have you ever wondered what it means to be holy? Verses like 1 Peter 1:16 clearly say we believers should be holy: “Because it is written, ‘You shall be holy because I am holy.’” We probably have our own ideas, but what does it really mean to be holy? Does it mean we’re pious, perfect, or sinless? That we dress, talk, and behave a certain way? Does performing a religious ritual make us holy? Does...
7 Ways to Have a New Beginning with the Lord
As Christians, we desire a closer relationship with God. Whatever our experience was last year, thank the Lord, we can freshly give ourselves to daily pursue Christ this year. At the beginning of this new year, we thought we’d share seven ways for us to have a new beginning with the Lord. The points below include inspiring and motivating quotes from well-known Bible teachers, preachers, Christian...
“Once It Was the Blessing; Now It Is the Lord”—A Classic Hymn
In our post on the benefits of singing to the Lord in our daily life, we pointed out that God’s people throughout the ages have praised, worshipped, and expressed their deepest sentiments to God in songs and hymns. As a result we believers today have a rich heritage of classic hymns to encourage and inspire us in our Christian life. In this post we’d like to share with you a hymn by A. B. Simpson...
What Is God’s Complete Salvation in the Bible?
Have you ever wondered whether God’s salvation is only to save us from eternal perdition? Wonderful as that is, if that’s all, then what’s the meaning of the rest of our lives on earth? The Bible tells us that God’s salvation includes much more than we might have thought. It’s a complete salvation.
Christ Is the Reality of Every Positive Thing
It’s not unusual for us to encounter difficulties in our relationships with others—our spouse, our child, a classmate, or a coworker, for instance. Perhaps we’ve asked the Lord to help us navigate the situation by praying, “Lord, grant me wisdom to deal with my son,” or “Lord, help me be patient with this person.” But in spite of our prayers, we still struggle. Why doesn’t the Lord give us wisdom...
The Key to True Inner Peace
It seems daily we wake up to more news of continued upheaval, war, injustice, and senseless violence everywhere. Despite the many initiatives put forth and strategies employed, a lasting solution for global peace remains elusive. In a world teeming with turmoil and unrest, people yearn for changes that will bring peace. And in our own personal world, we’re often beset by troubles. Even we...
Sinners, Enemies, and Sons of God in Romans
In several previous posts, we discussed how God’s wonderful salvation for us includes both our redemption and salvation from eternal perdition. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul unveils the salvation of God in full. With the help of some notes in the New Testament Recovery Version, let’s gain an even broader, deeper view of God’s salvation.
How to Keep Our New Heart Pure, Loving, and Soft toward the Lord
Before we were saved our heart was hard and cold toward God. We wanted many things, even sinful things, but not God. We felt little affection for Him and had no interest in the things of God. But God wants to have an affectionate relationship with us. So when we were born again, God not only forgave us and cleansed us of our sins, He also did something in our heart. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will...
Emmanuel—God with Us [With New Song]
We believers have an unspeakable blessing—we have God’s presence all the time! In the New Testament, we find several names for our Lord Jesus. One is Emmanuel, which means God with us. A staff member at Bibles for America was enjoying the Lord as Emmanuel so much that he overflowed in song. He based his song on three verses in Matthew and set it to the tune of the American folk song “Shenandoah.”...
