First, Christ prays that we would be one. Christ knew that if we are to accomplish the task that He has called us out to do, that is, to preach the gospel, that there needs to be unity. This unity pertains to who Jesus is and what He has done. If there is a mixed message here, the gospel will be diluted, and it will lose its power. Christ next pray

Why Does God Allow Suffering?As Bible-teacher, Clarence Haynes, Jr. writes in answer to the question of why God allows suffering, “I don’t know. My ‘I don’t know’ answer to the question of why God allows suffering may not feel very theological. However, it does point to a truth that we sometimes forget. God’s ways and purposes are higher than ours,

1. God’s Grace Is a Free Gift You don’t have to earn, work for, or buy God’s grace. It is a free gift given to each believer. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Timothy 1:9).God’s grace

5 Signs of a True Believer1. A true believer’s heart is changed forever. In Jeremiah 32:39 the Lord says, “I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever.” Hypocrites never have a changed nature. Hypocrites want Christ for the good that He might do them in the world. But a true believer’s heart loves Christ as the all-satisf

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).If the world sees our selfish in-fighting over matters that don’t matter, what kind of a witness is that to the world? If we, the church, are sniping at one another over various social and political issues and doing so over social media, in front of the wor

Lessons One: The Original Toxic Relationship A toxic relationship is when a person comes into your life and causes your other healthy relationships to become strained, and your relationship with God to become distant.When Satan came to tempt Eve in the Garden, he intended to destroy her relationship with God and crush her destiny. He had an ulterio

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul presents to us a young disciple named Timothy.“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” 2 Timothy 1:5 NIV.The influence of those two women on the child Timothy had a profound impact on the man Timothy a

3. Are They Following? The third critical component of discipleship is are they putting what they have learned into practice? I was going to say this is the most important aspect, but you can’t get to this step if you don’t do the first two, so they are all equally important. However, if there is one step that demonstrates discipleship more than ot

The First NoelWith this in mind, we can sing the carol and understand the meaning in the lyrics. The first noel, the initial announcement of the birth of Jesus, came from angels in Heaven. The truth that matters comes from Heaven, begins there, so it is important that the announcement came from the eternal to the Earth. Another two French terms sho

What Is the Difference between Firstfruits and Tithing?A first-fruit is different from a tithe. Although both are offerings to God, the first fruits are giving the best in the beginning. A tithe is a small percent or portion of the total. A large difference between the two is that the first fruit has to be given at the start and from the best. A ti

3. See a Professional CounselorGoing to see a counselor to help talk you through different challenges you are experiencing with seasonal depression can be helpful. Often times, a counselor is trained to listen objectively, identify recurring behavior patterns, and offer practical strategies for you to implement. There are also faith-based counselor

I have seen enough gangster movies on television to know that that is not the life. Unfortunately, those who have various addictions have become servants to those addictions. The only way to become free is to ask Jesus for help.Why Is Foreknowledge Such a Hard Concept to Grasp?It’s hard to grasp because some would argue that the fight is already fi

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:20-22).Daniel - Faithful to Go

- In the writings of Micah: “But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor” (Micah 4:12).- In the prophecies of Zechariah: “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they sha

Let's explore why Christians should set up an Ebenezer.Why Should Christians Set up an Ebenezer/Reminder?In times of trouble, we can often forget.I think about Peter on the waves with Jesus (Matthew 14). In one moment, he sees the face of our Savior and walks unabashedly forward. But in another instant, he looks away and sees the storm. Within seco

Mount ZionThis mountain appears in a lot of prophecies. According to Christianity.com, "Mount Zion is the City outside of Jerusalem, or Israel or Temple of the Mount or the Western Hill, the City of David, the descendant of Christ, the City of our God and the location of Christ’s rule on earth, and it is a spiritual location and an eternal Jerusale

The sixth and seventh chapters of the non-canonical book of 1st Enoch describes just this scenario. A group of angels, called watchers, determined to have children by human women. These children were described as giants who preyed on humans, and the watchers taught humans things that they were not supposed to know.It would be easy to dismiss this a

Do we want to physically see God the Father? The time will come when Christians will be with God the Father. Until that time arrives, we have the opportunity to share His love and help draw others and ourselves to have a closer relationship with God the Father. We do not need to see God the Father physically in order to believe. When times arise th

Remember Lot’s wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it” (Luke 17:29-33, emphasis added).Part of any reference to the day of the Son of Man is God pouring out His wrath on the world. Jesus warns believers to run to the hills, just like Lot, and not to look back or take anything. He then

John describes the tormenting creatures as “locusts” with human faces, long flowing hair, and sharp teeth. They were dressed in breastplates of iron and looked like horses prepped for battle. They wore crowns of gold on their heads, and the sound of their wings in flight was a thunderous noise that resembled a team of horses rushing into battle. Th