Is Jealousy a Sin? We have all felt it, but what actually is jealousy? One of the definitions of “jealousy” from Dictionary.com reads: "feeling resentment because of another's success, advantage, etc." This is the version of jealousy that we are familiar with. But the listing goes on to say: "In the Bible, 'Intolerance of unfaithfulness or rivalry.

We can bring our dirty laundry to God and clean out our closets with dingy items from our past. God will forgive us and remove our sin from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). God can make all things new (Revelation 21:5). I feel cleaner already.What Does a Renewed Spirit Look Like?When the snow finally melts and the sun shines l

Who Was Joseph of Arimathea? This is not the husband of Jesus’ mother Mary. This Joseph was a rich man (Matthew 27:57) who was originally from Arimathea, a town in Judah (Luke 23:51).John 19:38 tells us that Joseph of Arimathea was “a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.” Mark 15:43 names him as a “prominent member

But we must remember and think on this day, just as much as we do on Easter Sunday. Good Friday reminds us of the gravity of our sins, and how much God was willing to sacrifice to be reunited in a relationship with us. Even though we do recognize the solemn nature of Good Friday, we wait in anticipation for the Resurrection Sunday where we can, at

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;you hold my right hand.You guide me with your counsel,and afterward, you will receive me to glory.Whom have I in heaven but you?And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”(Psalm 73:24-26).4. Lord, may I see

Many of the well-known and best-loved Messianic prophecies point to the gospel message. The Messiah would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:31-35)—the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 12:17) overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. The Messiah would be born in th

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:8-9.Bible Verses about Hope“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith int

Write down your prayers or prayer needs. Date them. As they are answered, write it in the journal. You will never regret having those God moments written down. It will spark fresh faith when you are struggling.5. Sit Down and Make It Happen You’ve planned, reserved your spot, gathered your resources, limited distractions, got a journal and now it’s

But God makes it clear that we, as His people, are to continue to cry out to Him with prayer and petition, with praise and thanksgiving.Isaiah 62:6-7 reminds us, “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusa

Our third member may come more as a surprise to readers, as she did not participate in the front lines of battle. Rather, she had to wage a silent political war to save her people.Indeed, Queen Esther hails from the tribe of Benjamin. She helped to undermine a plot to destroy the Jewish people after winning the heart of King Ahasuerus.Our final exa

Stand by our convictions based on God’s Word, but “speak truth in love" as we try to grow more and more like Jesus (Ephesians 4:15).I think that so often, people believe that Christians must be quiet and kind and meek all of the time. That we must not ever disagree with people because it’s not “loving.” But that’s not true. As followers of Jesus, w

Lesson #1: They Were PersuadedAbraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises (Romans 4:20-21). When you read the account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3, one thing is apparent: they were fully pe

What Does This Verse Mean? The Lord speaks to the prophet Jeremiah in this verse. In a moment, we will discuss the bigger picture of what happened in Jeremiah 32, including the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.According to John Gill’s Commentary, God says this verse as a comfort and assurance during a tumultuous time.Other versions of the ve

A Prayer for When the World Makes You AnxiousDear God, I am prone to worry. I let the happenings of the world, the elections and the economy sit heavy on me. I need to find your peace. I invite you to restructure my thinking. May my hope be you. May my peace be you. May you help love flow out from me. Give me clarity. May I change what I am able to

Who Wrote Mark and What is Happening in This Story? The Gospel of Mark has been identified to be written by a man named Mark. This man was not just any ordinary man though. From Scripture, we learn a lot about the life of Mark. William Barclay writes “He was the son of a well to do lady in Jerusalem, named Mary.” His mother’s house had been a rally

What Is Joy? “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on earth” (Job 19:25).Merriam Webster defines happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Whereas joy is specifically stated, even in the dictionary, as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by th

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).Those same works can bring a harvest of eternal riches for us personally. “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fa

What Is the Context of Amos 5:24? In chapter 5 in the Book of Amos, God is speaking to Israel. He communicates several messages, and “thus says the Lord” repeats three times. After David and Solomon, there were some good kings of Israel and Judah, but there were many who turned from the precepts of the Lord. By the time these messages were communic

Did Adam and Eve Eat Meat in the Garden? In the beginning, God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They lived in innocence, naked, cultivating the earth. They spent time walking with their Creator. They had an abundance of food to eat with only one plant they could not consume; “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of

1. Psalm 139:1-12O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.You know when I sit down or stand up.You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.You know everything I do.You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.You go before me and follow me.You place your hand of b