If you have lived a while it is highly probable that the pain of death has pierced your heart in some way. Undoubtedly, you can recall the moment when you received the devastating news, ‘Your father/mother/brother/sister/wife/child has died,’ and the weight of those words hit you like a speeding train. Have you ever taken notice of the countless individuals who …
Centered Is The New Shalom
In recent years I’ve heard the term “centered” often used to describe a state of being that everyone should strive to attain. It is defined as having a central point or internal compass from which our lives can remain in sync as our authentic self. Another closely related idea is life balance. Except with life balance the concept is that …
Prayer: The Bridge to God’s Willingness
The concept of faith is not the sole factor in the ‘equation’ that governs our lives. A thorough examination of the teachings of the Bible reveals that prayer, the intensity of spiritual warfare, and the support of fellow believers also play significant roles in shaping our experiences. The fervent prayers of God’s people hold great significance in the fulfillment of …
Do Christians have the right to judge?
When Christians face disagreements, it’s common to hear phrases like, “Stop judging me,” or “Don’t be judgmental,” implying that judgment is inherently wrong. But is that what the Bible teaches? We live in a spiritual battle between God and the Devil, who seeks to distort truth and blind people to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He has done this since …
How do we navigate today’s sexual culture?
The ancient Greeks had four distinct words for love: Agapé (the love of God), Phileo (brotherly love), Storge (family love), and Eros (sexual love). Interestingly, while the Bible—both the New Testament and the Greek translation of the Old Testament—uses agapé, phileo, and storge, it never uses eros. Why? Because sex is NOT love. Despite the popular phrase “making love” and …
How does the Bible guide us in loving others while disagreeing with their beliefs or lifestyles?
Matthew 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” As Christians, we are called to love our enemies, which certainly includes those who simply disagree with our beliefs and way of life. True love is …
Does the concept of forgiveness require Christians to overlook justice in cases of wrongdoing?
To answer this question, we must turn to the Bible, which is the ultimate source of truth. It is essential to define key terms—justice, wrongdoing, and forgiveness—so that we can fully understand the relationship between them. First, the term “justice” reflects God’s divine order and righteousness. Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of justice, as seen in passages such as Deuteronomy …
How can Christians balance living in a secular world while staying true to their biblical convictions?
Christians undoubtedly reside in a secular world, but they also hold another, far greater citizenship—the heavenly realm. Philippians 3:20 – “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Just as an American living abroad remains an American, Christians, whose true citizenship is in heaven, are merely living “abroad” in this …
Hating What God Hates
Hating what God hates is not about being judgmental or self-righteous, but rather about aligning ourselves with His perfect and righteous nature. As humans, we are often tempted to make excuses for our actions and justify our sinful behaviors. However, when we truly understand and embrace God’s Word, we realize that sin is not just a list of rules to …
Cast Your Cares to God
In his first epistle, Peter exhorts you to cast all your cares to your heavenly Father. Furthermore, you are given complete assurance that He is both willing and able to relieve you of those cares, all of them, both the big and the small. But there is a reason beyond your own self that God wants you to allow Him …