You are not defined by what tempts you. Just because a person may be tempted to be intimate with someone of the same gender, that does not mean that he must give in to that temptation, or that he is destined to be a homosexual. If a married man is tempted to cheat on his wife, that does not mean he must give in to that temptation or that he is destined to be an adulterer.… Read more
Category: Faithfulness
Seven Keys to Happiness
Most people want to be happy. From ancient philosophers to modern man, many have spent their entire lives seeking happiness and contentment without ever finding it, because the formula is found only in God’s Word. Happiness comes from our Creator, who wants us to be happy both now and forever. He wants us to realize that He is the ultimate source of joy and peace. With that in mind, here are seven critical keys to happiness:
- Being right with God – Being happy both now and eternally requires a good relationship with the One who made us.
Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions
Every year, there are lists of the “Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions.” They rarely change: lose weight, exercise more, save money, reduce stress, etc. There is nothing inherently wrong with these goals, but have you noticed they are usually self-centered and focused on temporary physical things rather than eternal ones?
Many people obsess over improving their aging and decaying physical bodies, while completely neglecting their souls that will exist forever. God says that bodily exercise has limited benefits, but godliness is profitable in every way (1 Tim.… Read more
What If Jesus Were Coming Back Next Week?
When asking the question, “What if Jesus were coming back next week?” understand that there is absolutely no way to know when Jesus will return. Jesus said we cannot know when He will return, and even Jesus Himself did not know when He would return: “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). Paul wrote that there is no need to waste time speculating about “times” and “seasons” regarding Christ’s return: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.… Read more
Men, Keep Your Shirts On
Many people now consider it socially acceptable for men to be shirtless in public, with much of their bodies on display. Is this pleasing to God? For many years, faithful Christians have taught that God set an objective standard for modesty that applies to both men and women when He clothed Adam and Eve in a garment that covered them from the neck to the knees. Scholars and commentators also note this same point.
In Packer and Tenney’s Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible, the Hebrew word translated as “coats” (KJV) or “tunics” (NKJV) in Genesis 3:21 is described as a garment that reached from the neck to the knees, and sometimes to the ankles.… Read more
God Comes First
Jesus left no doubt about the top priority in life: God must come first. No relationship, career, or personal interest should ever take priority over our loyalty to Him. In fact, placing anything above God is a form of idolatry (Col. 3:5).
1. God Comes Before Family – Jesus warned that following Him may cause division, even in our own households: “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.… Read more
Immigration into the Holy Nation
Countless millions have longed to enter the United States seeking freedom and opportunity. Still, as great as this nation may be, there is one far greater: the “holy nation” built by Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago (1 Pet. 2:9). The USA will not last forever, but Christ’s nation/kingdom/church will last forever and ultimately be “delivered up” to Heaven (Dan. 2:44; Matt. 16:18–19, 28; 1 Cor. 15:24; Eph. 5:23). Regarding immigration into Christ’s holy nation:
We Must Go Through the Legal Process – Just as legal steps are required to become a U.S.… Read more
Consumer-Based Christianity
Too many people today are looking for a church that meets their personal preferences rather than meeting the Lord’s requirements. Instead of asking what Christ wants, people are asking:
• Do they have lots of activities for my children?
• Will I like this preacher better than others I’ve heard?
• Is the building big, beautiful, and modern?
• Is the worship entertaining and exciting?
• Will it make me feel good without requiring change?
Friends, these are the wrong questions.… Read more
Without Holiness, We Will Not See God
Many who claim to be Christians do not seem to take sin seriously. They joke about their disobedience and show little concern for living righteously—but sin is what nailed our Lord to the cross. There is nothing more serious than that, and true love does not rejoice in iniquity (1 Corinthians 13:6). Impenitent sin is just as deadly after conversion as it was before conversion (Acts 8:12–24; 1 Corinthians 10:11–12; James 5:19–20).
Jesus, the very one who died to save us, also commands us to take up our cross of obedience and self-denial daily (Luke 9:23).… Read more
The Truth May Seem Strange at First
Just because simple New Testament Christianity may seem “strange” to you, that does not mean you should reject it.
When Christ’s church first began, it was new and unfamiliar to everybody. It did not match the Jewish traditions or the pagan practices people had followed for centuries. However, when they realized the Truth, they did not let unfamiliarity stop them. They made the necessary changes and became part of it. That is what God expected then, and that is still what He expects today.… Read more
Why Christians Do Not Observe the Sabbath (Brief)
The Bible teaches that the Sabbath was given only to Israel, and only from the time of Moses until the cross of Christ. It was never meant to be a law for all people across all generations. Today, under the New Covenant, Christians live under the Law of Christ, not the Law of Moses. The following points briefly explain why Christians do not observe the Sabbath.
- Because the word “Sabbath” is not found in Genesis—there was no Sabbath command, example, or punishment for anyone from Adam to Moses, indicating it was not a universal law for all people of all periods.
Questions for Those Who Observe the Sabbath
Some religious groups claim that Sabbath observance is still required today—whether on Saturday or Sunday. However, the Bible teaches that the Old Covenant, including the Sabbath law, was given only to Israel and was never intended to be a law for all people in all generations. Under the New Covenant, Christians follow the Law of Christ, not the Law of Moses. The following questions are designed to challenge the belief that Sabbath-keeping is still binding today.… Read more
Should We Observe the Sabbath?
The question of whether people should still observe the Sabbath is a contentious issue among various religious groups today. Many sincerely believe that keeping the Sabbath is a moral requirement today, making it a test of salvation. This topic is crucial because false doctrines related to the Sabbath can place unnecessary burdens on people’s consciences and even corrupt the true Gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-9).
Understanding what the Bible teaches about the Sabbath is essential for distinguishing between obsolete Old Testament requirements and New Testament commands.… Read more
Giving Thanks Before Eating
Have you ever considered the importance of giving thanks before eating? The practice of giving thanks before meals is rooted in Scripture and demonstrated by faithful children of God, including Jesus and the apostles. Every blessing comes from the Father (James 1:17), and expressing gratitude for God’s blessings should be a fundamental part of the Christian’s life.
1. Jesus Consistently Gave Thanks Before Eating
- Jesus gave thanks before distributing food to the four thousand (Matthew 15:36; Mark 8:6).
Finding Strength in the Lord
Everybody has their ups and downs. Some days may be great, while others bring challenges that may wear us down. In difficult times it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, but as Christians, we must remember that our strength does not come from ourselves—it comes from the Lord.
David declared, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Psalm 28:7).… Read more