God is good, and there is nothing bad in Him. Many Christians have a default mode of thinking that God uses bad things to accomplish good purposes, but this is simply bad doctrine. Bad is not good in disguise. God isn't playing games with us or doing hurtful things to bring about good in our lives.
Just as our physical bodies need proper nutrition to function well, our spirits require daily nourishment to grow strong. Many of us understand the importance of caring for our physical bodies—eating right, exercising, and maintaining good health habits—but we often neglect the most vital part of our being: our spirit.
The death of a righteous person should never go unnoticed. Throughout history, we've seen how the martyrdom of believers has often sparked revival, emboldened the church, and advanced the gospel in ways that might not have happened otherwise.
In a world filled with darkness, believers have access to a powerful perspective by setting their minds on things above rather than earthly troubles. God has prepared a table for us in the presence of our enemies - not just in heaven, but right now on earth. Our spiritual transformation has eternal significance, as the condition we develop here carries over into eternity. By training ourselves to respond in faith rather than react in fear, we can see beyond immediate circumstances to what God is doing. This heavenly perspective allows us to feast at God's table even when surrounded by darkness.
Have you ever wondered why some Christians who start strong in their faith end up struggling or falling away? The answer often lies not in major sins or dramatic failures, but in the small, seemingly insignificant compromises we make along the way.
In a world full of false worship and deception, what does it mean to be a true worshiper? Jesus said in John 4:23 that "the hour is coming, and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." This statement implies that there's a lot of false worshiping happening - people deceived into worshiping idols or false gods.
Every day is a new day with God. His mercies are new every morning, giving us a fresh start. As the Apostle Paul wrote, we must forget those things which are behind and reach forward to what's ahead. When we're too preoccupied with the past, we can't effectively move forward into what God has for us.
Have you ever felt like life has robbed you of something important? Maybe it was time, opportunities, relationships, or dreams. When we look at Joseph's story in the Bible, we find powerful truths about how God works even when life seems unfair.
When we come to God, it's not about becoming better people but dying to our old selves and being transformed. All have sinned and need a Savior to deliver us from our sinful nature. Water baptism symbolizes this death and resurrection with Christ - going under, represents dying with Him, coming up represents new life. As new creations in Christ, we're not just forgiven but completely transformed. Through the Holy Spirit and God's Word, we continue to be changed from glory to glory, experiencing heaven on earth as we embrace our new identity.
God wants to take us much further than where we currently are. He has a vision for our lives that goes beyond what we can imagine. But to reach that vision, we need to embrace His heart and His plan rather than simply following our own desires.
When we talk about receiving from God, many of us focus on the wrong part of the equation. We spend our time trying to convince God to do something for us, when in reality, He has already done His part. Understanding this truth changes everything about how we approach prayer and faith.
When facing temptation and spiritual battles, it's important to understand that struggling doesn't indicate spiritual failure—quite the opposite. The very act of resisting temptation demonstrates what you truly desire in your heart. Jesus Himself was tempted in every way yet remained without sin, showing us that the struggle itself proves our love for God.A crucial realization is that temptation is not your identity. As a new creation in Christ, you have a new spirit united with the Holy Spirit. The temptations you face come from outside, not from within your true self. Jesus exemplified how to overcome temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane through prayer, expressing His heart's true desire to please the Father above all other voices. This is our path to victory as well—reminding ourselves what we truly want and expressing our love for God above everything else. Even when we fall, we can rise again. Jesus drank the cup of God's judgment for us and took all our curses upon Himself. Because of His sacrifice, we don't have to bear the consequences of our sin when we repent. Instead of being under the enemy's feet, the enemy is under ours. The victory is already complete in Christ. When temptation comes, identify with Christ in you, not with the temptation, and remember that your struggle against sin is proof of your love for God.
The laying on of hands is a powerful conduit for transmitting God's supernatural power, not just a religious formality. Jesus frequently used this method to heal people, and He gave all believers the authority to do the same. When hands are laid on someone in faith, healing can be imparted, the Holy Spirit received, spiritual gifts activated, and blessing transferred. For this power to flow effectively, both the giver must operate in faith and the recipient must be receptive. Every Christian can access this power by understanding they are conduits for God's power and approaching the practice with honor and expectation.
When Jesus entered ministry at 30 years of age, He wasn't immediately ready for the cross. He had three years of preparation—preaching, healing, and delivering people. His ultimate calling required growth in faith and spiritual strength to endure what was ahead.
Like Jesus, we too need to grow in our spiritual endurance. We should be able to handle more challenges without being overwhelmed by little things that once knocked us down.
