Category: Bible Study

When "Good" Doesn't Feel Good

2/21/2025

We love #Romans 8:28--until life gets hard. But what happens when

Understanding Romans 8:28-29

I recently heard someone say that comfort is the god of our generation, and it struck a chord with me. Maybe that’s why verses like Romans 8:28 are so frustrating to so many:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

Some translations say it like this: “God works all things together for good” or “God works in all things for the good.”

If you weren’t already frustrated, you might be now—because that verse says in all things.

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5 Ways Faith & Hope are Intertwined in Our Lives

2/18/2025

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Faith and Hope create a powerful partnership! #Faith trusts in who #God is. #Hope confidently expects Him to fulfill His #promises. Together, they anchor our souls and sustain us through every #trial. Faith is the foundation of hope (Heb 11:1). Hope fuels perseverance in faith (Rom 8:24-25). Faith anchors hope in #Christ (Col 1:27). Hope strengthens faith during doubt (Ps 42:11). Both are rooted in God’s Word (Rom 15:4). Let’s explore how these two work together to shape our walk with Christ.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25

Hope and faith are deeply intertwined in the life of a Christian, working together to sustain and guide believers in their walk with God.

I like how Hebrews 11:1 is translated in the NIV, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

While faith and hope are distinct, they are also inseparable aspects of a vibrant spiritual life.

Today, let's look at how they connect.

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How to Read the Bible as a Love Letter

2/14/2025

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Have you ever #read the #Bible as a love letter? Imagine savoring every word, rereading it with joy, and cherishing it as a personal message from #God. What if we approached #Scripture this way--expecting to hear His voice, #meditating on His #promises, and responding in #prayer? In this latest #blogpost, we explore How to Read the Bible as a Love Letter and how this perspective can transform your #faith. Dive in and rediscover the beauty of God's love through His Word! #FaithJourney #BibleStudy

I have long said (and written) that the Bible is God’s Love Letter to us. But what does that really mean, and how can we approach Scripture with this mindset?

Imagine receiving a love letter from someone you cherish deeply. Would you skim through it quickly just to get it over with? Or would you savor every word, reading it over and over again, pondering its meaning, and holding onto it for reassurance?

Howard Hendricks, in Living by the Book, shares a compelling analogy about reading the Bible as a love letter. He recounts a story of a man who fell in love through a correspondence courtship. Every letter he received was read and reread multiple times, tucked under his pillow, and treasured. Why? Because he was in love with the person who wrote them.

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Passing the Torch

2/11/2025

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Are We Losing the Next Generation? When #God parted the Jordan River, He commanded Joshua to build a memorial--a lasting reminder of His mighty works. But within one generation, #Israel forgot. They abandoned God. This wake-up call, from Judges 2:10-12, reminds us that #faith isn’t inherited; it’s intentionally passed down. How can we ensure the next generation knows God? Read “Passing the Torch: The Memorial Stones & the Next Generation

The Memorial Stones
and the Next Generation

When God miraculously parted the Jordan River, enabling Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, the first instruction He gave was to build a memorial. Joshua was told to have one man from each of the twelve tribes take a stone from the riverbed and use them to construct a monument. But why?

Joshua explained the purpose of the memorial: “And he said to the people of Israel, ‘When your children ask their fathers in times to come, “What do these stones mean?” then you shall let your children know, “Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.” For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over...

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Repent and Believe Matters More Than Accepting Jesus

1/31/2025

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Have we misunderstood the call to #salvation? Dr. Voddie Baucham’s words are a wake-up call: “Nowhere in the New Testament will you find that salvation is about ‘accepting #Jesus’ or ‘asking Him into your heart.’ What we are told again and again is to repent and #believe.” Jesus Himself declared, “Repent and believe in the #Gospel” (Mark 1:15). True salvation is about turning away from sin and #trusting in #Christ completely. Dive into our blog to explore this #biblical #truth! #FaithInAction

I recently read this quote and it got me thinking:

“Nowhere in the New Testament will you find that salvation is about "accepting" Jesus. Nowhere are you called to "accept Jesus". Nowhere in the New Testament will you find that salvation is about "asking Jesus into your heart". Nowhere in the New Testament are we told to "ask Jesus into your heart….Nowhere. Nowhere. Nowhere. It's not there. What you are told again and again and again is to repent and believe.”

This quote by Dr. Voddie Baucham is powerful. The words cut through much of the cultural language surrounding salvation: “Nowhere in the New Testament will you find that salvation is about ‘accepting’ Jesus. Nowhere are you called to ‘accept Jesus.’ Nowhere in the New Testament will you find that salvation is about ‘asking Jesus into your heart.’… [we're] told again and again and again is to repent and believe.”

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Ezra's Prayer: A Blueprint for Seeking God’s Help

1/28/2025

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Have you ever wondered what true #prayer looks like? #Nehemiah 9 holds the longest recorded prayer in the #Bible offering a powerful blueprint for seeking #God's help. From confessing sins to recalling God’s #faithfulness through history, this prayer is a reminder of His unfailing mercy and steadfast love. Whether you’re in a season of joy or distress, this prayer #teaches us how to approach God with humility, #gratitude, and #trust. Dive in and discover how this prayer can transform your life!

"Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads.... And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.... 'Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.'" Neh. 9:1-5

Nehemiah 9 contains the longest recorded prayer in the Bible, a heartfelt and detailed plea led by Ezra during a solemn assembly of the Israelites. This prayer offers a powerful model for seeking God’s help, drawing on themes of worship, confession, thanksgiving, and petition. As we explore this prayer, we discover a blueprint for turning to God in times of need.

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Finding Hope When All Seems Lost

1/24/2025

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Feeling #hopeless? Discover how the #HOPE acronym--Hold on to #God’s Promises, Open Your Heart to His Love, #Pray with Perseverance, and Expect God's Goodness--offers #biblical #truths to restore #faith. This uplifting #guide, filled with #Scripture and practical #encouragement, is perfect for personal #devotions or #Bible study. Find strength in God’s love, #faithfulness, and goodness today. #BibleStudy #HopeInGod #ChristianEncouragement #TrustGod #GodsPromises #Perseverance #SpiritualGrowth

A Biblical Guide to Restoring Faith

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13

Life has a way of throwing us into situations where hope seems elusive. Maybe it’s a personal crisis, a loss, or a season of waiting that feels endless. In moments like these, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and defeated. But we serve the God of hope, friend, and as believers, we have a firm foundation for hope that transcends any circumstance. Let’s explore a biblical acronym for HOPE today. This acronym is grounded in Scripture that will help anchor our souls when we feel lost or hopeless.

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