Remember from where you have fallen (Revelation 2:4). Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die (Revelation 3:2). These two phrases, the first spoken to the church in Ephesus, and the second spoken to the church in Sardis, summarize the condition of our spiritual lives from time to time. For countless Christians, it is easy to reflect … Continue reading Strengthen What Remains
No matter how hostile the world may become towards Christians, the Lord always has fellow believers available to us for support. We were never meant to stand alone, and we should be available to encourage other believers as well. The apostle Paul faced countless persecutions as a Christian. From stonings to beatings to imprisonment, all … Continue reading Together in a Hostile World
There is joy and peace in believing. Once we know Jesus and the forgiveness he has granted us through faith, joy and peace begin to flow. The problem is if our faith weakens and our spiritual-mindedness begins to diminish, so does the joy and peace that flows from it. There is peace in knowing that we are no longer at … Continue reading Joy and Peace in Believing
When we read God's statement in scripture where he says, "For this very purpose I have raised you up," commonplace religion has conditioned us always to expect the reason to be something positive for the person addressed. Perhaps God raised this person up to save a group of people from genocide, like Esther. Maybe God raised this … Continue reading For this Purpose I Raised You Up
Sin is filth. It is soul pollution. It makes us vile in the eyes of God, and no matter how much pride we take in our sin now, we will one day even be offensive in our own eyes. As sinners, we may do everything we can to maintain our delusion that we are honorable, but every … Continue reading The Filthy Will Be Filthy Still
We have already given too much of our lives doing things godless people do. It is time we consider ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11). We were born in iniquity. Adam's sin brought condemnation to us all (Romans 5:8), and before we complain that we should not be condemned for Adam's transgression, let us be sure that we have done … Continue reading Consider Yourself Dead to Sin
There are times as Christians when we miss the forest for the trees. People in our life may admire the depth of our theological understanding. Others may wish they could quote scripture as quickly as we do. Still, others see our involvement in the church and think, "there goes one of the godliest men or women I know." … Continue reading Missing the Christian Forest for the Trees
It does not matter if we follow all the rituals of Christianity perfectly; if the sinfulness of our hearts has not been cut off, our condemnation is justified. We cannot be children of God outwardly only. A child of God is one inwardly. Paul tells the Romans this very truth. He says, "For no one is a Jew … Continue reading Circumcision was a Matter of the Heart
There are times when we falter in our faith and give into temptation, but that does not mean that Jesus Christ is not in us. Unless, of course, we examine ourselves and fail to meet the test (2 Corinthians 13:5). Even in the Christian, there are times when quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and … Continue reading 3 Steps to Examining Your Faith
Your God, in his providence, will turn you every which way but loose. Do not believe the lies that say God wants your life to be as smooth as possible. That he desires for you to have a problem-free existence if only you would have enough faith. To expose those lies, let us look at the life of … Continue reading God Will Turn You Every Which Way but Loose
The Fight of Faith 