In almost every trial, there will be a chance to take a short-cut, make a compromise, use a sinful stress-reliever. And while it might be easy to think that God is testing us, the Bible makes it clear that God himself tempts no one (James 1:13).
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Martin Luther labeled these two as passive and active. Passive is the righteousness that we receive from God. We do nothing to receive it. Active righteousness is our good works, overflowing from a thankful heart, a new heart created in us by God through a new will empowered by God’s Holy Spirit.
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The guidance prayer below is geared to our times and appropriate for the hour. God attentively listens when we agree in prayer (Matthew 18:19), so imagine the power of thousands of people offering prayers with oneness of spirit.
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God has a unique vision and purpose for each of His children. God wants to bring glory to Himself through our lives. We must remember that God does not reveal His vision for our lives all at once. God reveals His vision to us when He knows we are ready and able to receive it. How then do we prepare ourselves to receive God's vision?
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It seems like everywhere you look these days, the media is talking about being woke. Of course, awareness of the world’s injustices is highly valued, and knowing how to take accountability and seek to right wrongs is critical. But as Christians, how do we respond to this ever-growing ideology? Can Christians be woke too?
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It is commonly taught in churches that Christians should tithe (a word meaning the giving of “a tenth” of their income) to their local church. Christians are sometimes told that they owe the first ten percent of their income to the church where they attend, and that any giving to other needy persons or ministries falls into a separate category called “offerings” and should be given only after the first ...
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When Adam and Eve were in the Garden, Satan revealed a few key things about himself. He knows God’s Word very well; he loves to be logical in the way he thinks, and once we engage, using a logical way of thinking, he is empowered to tempt us to live independently of God (Genesis 3:1-7).
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There are many notions about what it means to be a Christian. Many think they understand the term, yet many also mean different things by it. For some it’s a matter of family history: “I grew up in the church.” For others it means someone who lives by the Golden Rule, ascribes to certain political views, goes to church, or simply chose to identify that way at a particular point ...
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What are your New Year resolutions? We may have hopes of changing what we know we should, such as losing weight, exercising more, or eating healthier. Or have dreams for greater success, either at work, school, financially or with a project.
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“Bending history in the direction of a great yes.” Does that sound outlandish to you? I know I struggle to believe it. But what else does Jesus’ second coming mean, if not the full restoration of justice and peace and salvation? What else are we hoping for, if not the fulfillment of God’s promises, here on earth as they are in heaven?
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