What is the authority of the believer?
The authority of the believer rests on the believer’s mandate to serve the Lord. When we are in God’s will, we can move with confidence that we are doing what is right and that the Holy Spirit’s power is at work within and through us. Some ministries emphasize the authority of the believer to an…
Why do so many people struggle with a lack of faith?
The apostle Paul exhorts Christians to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV). What we see here is a contrast between truth and perception—what we know and believe to be true and what we perceive to be true. This is where the Christian struggle with a lack of faith finds its…
What does the Bible say about finding satisfaction in life?
Satisfaction is the state of being content, the feeling that one’s needs or wants are met. Satisfaction seems to be a rare condition in our world today, as many people express dissatisfaction with their jobs, their marriages, their circumstances, and themselves. The Bible teaches that finding satisfaction in life depends on having a relationship with…
What is God’s plan for my life?
The Bible reveals a beautiful plan for our lives. We can know with all certainty many aspects of God’s plan because they are revealed in His Word. Other parts we discover as we walk in ever-deepening fellowship with God. Some pieces of the puzzle will only be revealed to us in eternity when we see…
What is the Christian’s hope?
Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.” This is not what the Bible means by hope. The biblical definition of hope is “confident expectation.” Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1, 7). Hope is a fundamental component of the…
What is the joy of the Lord?
The joy of the Lord is the gladness of heart that comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was born, the angels announced “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). All who find Jesus know, with the shepherds of the nativity, the joy He brings. Even…
How can we experience true freedom in Christ?
Everyone seeks freedom. Especially in the West, freedom is the highest virtue, and it is sought after by all who are, or consider themselves to be, oppressed. But freedom in Christ is not the same as political or economic freedom. In fact, some of the most harshly oppressed people in history have had complete freedom…
How can I learn to trust in the faithfulness of God?
Many places in Scripture extol the faithfulness of God. Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” So, what is faithfulness? The Hebrew word translated “faithfulness” means “steadfastness, firmness, fidelity.” The opposite of being faithful is…
What does it mean for a Christian to grow in faith?
We are commanded in Scripture to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This growth is spiritual growth, growing in faith. At the moment we receive Christ as our Savior, we are born again spiritually into God’s family. But just as a newborn baby requires nourishing…
What does the Bible say about finding peace of mind?
Most people would define peace of mind as the absence of mental stress and anxiety. The expression “peace of mind” conjures up images of Buddha-like composure wherein calm, comfort, and composure are so prevalent that nothing can disturb the one who has peace of mind. An imperturbable, placid person is said to have peace of…