The One True God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

The Bible declares that there is but one God. “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me” (Isaiah 46:9; see also Malachi 2:10). The God of the Bible is the true God (2 Chronicles 15:3; Jeremiah 10:10). He is distinguished from “other gods” (Exodus 23:13; Judges 2:12; 1 Samuel 8:8; 1 Kings 9:9, etc.) or “foreign gods” (Genesis 35:2, 4; Deuteronomy 32:16; Joshua 24:20, 23; Judges 10:16; 1 Samuel 7:3; 2 Chronicles 14:3; 33:15; Jeremiah 5:19) by the fact that he created heaven and earth (Jeremiah 10:11; 1 Chronicles 16:25-26; Psalm 96:4-5). 

The true God has power, whereas other so called gods have none. During early biblical times many people did not believe in nor serve the one true God. Although Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob believed in and served the creator God (Exodus 3:6; 15-16; 4:5; Matthew 22:32; Romans 4:3, 17; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23), neither his father Terah nor his brother Nahor believed in that God (Genesis 11:26; Joshua 24:2). During Jacob’s lifetime, some of his own family worshipped foreign gods (Genesis 31:30, 32; 35:2, 4). When the Israelites came out of Egypt, they were commanded to have no other gods (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7; see also Exodus 34:13-14; Deuteronomy 11:16, etc.). God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Matthew 6:24). 

They were told many times that to worship and serve other gods would be catastrophic (Exodus 23:33; Deuteronomy 7:4; 8:19; 30:17-18; Joshua 23:16; 24:20). Even so, after Moses ascended Mt. Sinai to receive the law from God, the Israelites clamored for gods (Exodus 32:1, 23). Aaron, Moses brother and also the Israelite high priest, molded a calf of gold and set a day for them to worship it (Exodus 32:2-6). Before coming into the Promised Land, Israel was charged not to worship or serve the gods of the land they would be conquering (Exodus 23:34; 34:12-17; Leviticus 19:4; Deuteronomy 6:14; 7:16; etc.) 

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Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

The debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to whether Christmas is a holiday to be celebrated by Christians?

First, let’s look at the reasons why some Christians do not celebrate Christmas. One argument against Christmas is that the traditions surrounding the holiday have origins in paganism. Searching for reliable information on this topic is difficult because the origins of many of our traditions are so obscure that sources often contradict one another. Bells, candles, holly, and yuletide/yule decorations are mentioned in the history of pagan worship, but the use of such in one’s home certainly does not indicate a return to paganism. While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the Savior of the world in Bethlehem. Bells are played to ring out the joyous news, candles are lit to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world (John 1:4-9), a star is placed on the top of a Christmas tree to remember the Star of Bethlehem, and gifts are exchanged to remind us of the gifts of the Magi to Jesus, the greatest gift of God to mankind.

Who Is the Angel of the LORD & What Does the Bible Say about Him?

The most important thing to remember when studying the identity of the angel of the LORD (also referred to as the angel of God in some instances) in the Bible is that the meaning may vary depending on the context of the passage. The best way to study the meaning is to look at the context of the passage, as well as the context of similar passages. We should use Scripture to interpret Scripture, and, as always, pray for discerning wisdom from the Holy Spirit.

Though there is some controversy surrounding the identity of the angel of the LORD, there are generally four schools of thought —that the angel of the LORD is either:

A special angel messenger, a heavenly being, who acted as God’s representative (not God himself).

God the Father, showing himself as a divine manifestation to humanity. This is known as a theophany - “appearance of God.”

God the Son, manifested in a pre-incarnate body form. This is known as a Christophany - “appearance of Christ.”

It varies. The figure is sometimes a manifestation of God and sometimes an angelic heavenly being representing God, depending on the context of the text.

The term angel means “one sent” or “messenger,” and LORD in Hebrew is YHWH or Yahweh. The angel of the LORD is one sent by YHWH or a messenger of YHWH. If the Bible passage is referring to the pre-incarnate Jesus, then the meaning of "angel" is referring to the office of one sent. This is in line with Jesus’ mission as the One the Father sent into the world. (John 8:18, John 3:17). He bore witness to himself, and he came to testify to the truth. When the passage refers to an angelic heavenly being sent to a deliver a message then the term “angel” is referring to the nature of the being - one of the heavenly hosts, a spirit-being created by God. So the word "angel" does not always refer to the nature of a being named in Scripture, it can refer to the office of a being.

To start, let’s take a look at where the Bible mentions the angel of the LORD. There are many Old Testament references.

How Do Pastors Pick Their Fights?

We need men who know how to disagree without creating division. We need pastors and elders who have enough self-control to avoid needless controversy, and enough courage to move gently and steadily toward conflict.

Not a brawler. 

The 400-year-old King James Version (KJV) translates 1 Timothy 3:2–3 with surprising timelessness. Of the full list of fifteen, this qualification for pastor-elder in the church is one of just five negative traits. Modern translations say “not quarrelsome” (ESV and NIV) or “not . . . pugnacious” (NASB), but here the language of the KJV has endured. Indeed, we know who the brawlers are today, and it doesn’t take much foresight to recognize what a problem it could be to have one as a pastor.

However, a nuance that “not a brawler” may lack is distinguishing between the physical or verbal nature of combat. This is the upside of “not quarrelsome.” In 1 Timothy 3, the physical already has been covered: “not violent but gentle.” What’s left is the temperamental, and especially verbal.

We all know too well, by the war within us, how the flesh of man finds itself relentlessly at odds with the Spirit of God. We want to quarrel when we should make peace, and not ruffle feathers when we should speak up. And in a day in which so many are prone to sharpness online, and niceness face to face, we need leaders who are “not quarrelsome,” and also not afraid to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). We need men who “contend for the faith” (Jude 3) without being contentious. We need pastors who are not brawlers — and yet know when (and how) to say the needful hard word.

10 Things Grandchildren Need to Hear

“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things…” (2 Peter 1:12)

Last week all our children were home along with their spouses and our eight grandchildren. We live on a ranch in the mountains so coming home to visit Gramma and Papa is filled with lots of adventures and feeding the animals.

Getting older brings a clarity to what’s important. While we want our grandkids to remember their times on Papa’s farm, we want to leave them with a godly legacy. With this goal in mind, let’s look at 10 things every grandparent should tell their grandchildren.

1. I'm so glad God made you.

Our grandkids are growing up in a world that does not acknowledge God as their Creator, so it’s vital that parents and grandparents regularly remind them how God carefully designed them in their mother’s womb.

Along with knowing God made them, kids need to believe that people important to them are happy they are alive. Too many children struggle with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. Some act out, some recluse, but few will say, “Hey, when you're too busy to play with me, read to me, or tuck me in at night, I feel like I don’t matter.”

2. I will always listen to you.

If you want to have the privilege of speaking truth to your grandkids, you have to earn that honor by being a good listener. Too many grandparents spend little time in conversations with their grandchildren until they see them making mistakes or choosing a wrong path. If the only time you engage with your grandchild is to correct them or point out what you don’t like about their attitude or attire, don’t be surprised if they’re not interested in listening to your wisdom when they become adolescents or young adults.

3. You are precious.

Jesus Loves the Little Children is the song at the top of my 3-year-old granddaughter’s request list whenever she gets tucked into bed at night. I often bend over and kiss her forehead as I sing, “Red, brown, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight” to show her how precious she really is to Jesus and to me.

What Does “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” Mean in the Bible?

There is often confusion between this phrase and a biblical Proverb regarding “sparing the rod.” This phrase was actually coined by a 17th-century poet and satirist by the name of Samuel Butler in his poem “Hudibras.” The poems’ main characters, Hudibras and the widow he longs for, are planning to start a love affair, but before the widow commits to it, she asks Hudibras to prove his love for her by committing to twisted acts. The widow then states:

If matrimony and hanging go

By dest’ny, why not whipping too?

What med’cine else can cure the fits

Of lovers when they lose their wits?

Love is a boy by poets stil’d;

Then spare the rod, and spoil the child.

This is night and day compared to the biblical verse containing the phrase “spare the rod.” The term “spoil the child” is not actually in the Bible. What “spare the rod, spoil the child” actually means in reference to biblical guidance is to guide our children in the way they should go. Let’s explore this phrase further in the Bible.

Where is “spare the rod, spoil the child” mentioned in the Bible?

This phrase is most closely associated with Proverbs 13:24. We start to understand the context more as we read in various translations. The King James translation states “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: But he who loves him chasteneth him betimes.” While the New Living Translation reads “Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.” In any translation, the intent is disciplining our children in the sense of guiding them in the way they should go. To put it simply, it is to instill in our children right from wrong.

 In the time scripture was written, and even still today, shepherds used various tools to guide their sheep. They use a staff, or a crook, and a rod. The crook is the curved stick you see in cartoon depictions of shepherds. When sheep fall into a pit or lose sight of their flock, they look down. The curved end of the crook is used to pull the sheep’s head back up and guide it in the way it should go. In the same way, the rod is used to guide sheep who begin to splinter away from the flock back together. It can also be used defensively to keep the sheep safe from predators.

This Proverb, as with many proverbs and teachings of Jesus, teaches using a parable. It does not intend for children to be physically punished as the only means of correction. It refers to teaching them through guidance and appropriate discipline. Discipline, according to this PMC article, is about positively influencing behavior in children, not about punishing them. It says, “Discipline allows children to develop self-discipline, and helps them become emotionally and socially mature, secure adults.” It goes on to explain that effective discipline is that which is self-enhancing for the child. Leading children to self-discipline is congruent with Proverbs 22:6, which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” 

7 Proven Methods to be an Effective “Soul Winner”

Jesus told His disciples, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). The implication is that if we are really following, we'll be fishing -soul-winning. Jesus' last words were, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). The Christians in the New Testament went everywhere, preaching the Word (Acts 8:4).

How, then, can you and I be effective witnesses for Him?

1. Ask God to give you an evangelistic burden for others. Ask Him to help you see the world as He sees it, and to lay upon your heart a handful of people for whom you can earnestly pray. Then pray over those names every day. Keep a little prayer list, and pray for an opportunity of reaching these souls for Christ. An old song says, "Lord, lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me; / And may I humbly do my part to win that soul to Thee."

2. Live a consistent Christian life before these people. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16). We must live obedient lives of integrity and authentic faith. We must love when others hate, and forgive when others harbor grudges. We must remain trusting when others panic, and be honest when all around us are cooking the books. Not that we're going to be perfect-only Christ was sinless. But we must have a growing, maturing Christian life that others recognize and respect.

3. Build bridges to others. When the Lord shows you those needing Christ, seek to build a relationship with them. Remember how Jesus went to the home of Zacchaeus where many sinners had gathered? While we must be careful not to place ourselves in an environment where we'll be pulled down, we must be equally careful to cultivate friendships with those needing Christ. Perhaps Christ has placed you in your particular school or workplace just to reach those whom no one else can reach.

4. Learn the Gospel. Memorize the following verses and practice saying them in a mirror or to another Christian until you're comfortable sharing them with someone needing Christ: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9, 10, 13; 1 John 5:1, 13.

5. Watch for openings to share a word for Christ. Peter said: "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you"

(1 Peter 3:15).

6. If the right opportunity doesn't come naturally, create one. Sometimes we wait too long, looking for just the right time to invite someone to church or to share with them the message of the Gospel. There often comes a point when we must prayerfully introduce the subject and do our best to impress someone with their need for Christ.

7. Leave the results with God. We're responsible for sharing the Gospel, but only God can convert the soul. Having done your best, let Him do the rest. And if you ever feel you've botched the job, think of Edward Kimball. He was determined to win his Sunday school class to Christ, including a teenager named Dwight Moody who tended to fall asleep on Sundays. His heart pounding, Kimball entered the store where the young man worked. "I put my hand on his shoulder, and as I leaned over I placed my foot upon a shoebox. I asked him to come to Christ." It didn't seem to go well, and Kimball left thinking he had botched the job. Moody, however, left the store that day a new person and eventually became the most prominent evangelist in America during his generation.

This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah's devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-947-1993 for your complimentary copy of Turning Points.

10 Church Trends That Turn Visitors Away

Molly Parker

Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer

Let’s face it: church can be a strange place for visitors, for the first-timer and old-timer, the unbeliever and believer. While no church is perfect, some have adopted trends that are hard to ignore and easy to respond with an eye roll, trends that can come across as formulaic, robotic, phony, and, well . . . silly—and they are turning visitors away.

Since we all hail from different backgrounds and denominations, finding common ground can be difficult; thus making grace of utmost importance as we consider 10 church trends that turn visitors away.

1. Church Membership

I attended various Christian churches throughout my childhood and young adult years. I didn’t just attend these churches; I belonged to them, served at them, and learned from them. But I wasn’t introduced to the concept of official “church membership” until I moved to another state at the age of thirty-four.

For the first time in my life, church membership classes were all the rage. Not only that, but people were transferring their memberships from one church to another, flinging around phrases like “certificates of transfer” and “inactive vs. active memberships,” sounding more like they were joining—or un-joining—an exclusive club. And while there is no scriptural mandate for or against making church membership a requirement (after all, it really can be a good thing!), my first-time-visitor self-found it off-putting.

The Joy We Know Only in Suffering

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I see that sufferers often have secret access to happiness.

I used to think Satan loved suffering, that it was his weapon of choice against our faith. But while he certainly (and viciously) tries to make the most of it, I now suspect Satan secretly hates suffering. He’s simply seen it draw too many people closer to Christ. He has watched, for thousands of years, while God has taken all that he meant for terrible evil and worked it for undeniable good (Genesis 50:20).

The apostle Paul, for instance, was imprisoned over and over, beaten with rods, slandered by his enemies, flogged with lashes five times, stoned almost to death, often deprived of food, water, shelter, and sleep — “in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers” (2 Corinthians 11:26) — and yet always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). The chief of prisoners could write from the loneliness, injustice, and distress of his cell, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Paul used to seem abnormal and extraordinary, even spectacular. I thought he was an anomaly. Until I began witnessing more and more men and women like him today, braving inconceivable trials — conflict and cancer, betrayal and abandonment, persecution and loss — with surprising joy in God. They prove what we all experience in one way or another. If we look to him when we’re thrown into the wilderness of suffering, he will lead us to secret sanctuaries of peace, strength, hope, and even joy.

10 Worst People in Your Church

The worst people in your church might not be the first ones who pop into your mind. In fact, they might even, from time to time, include you!

All Christ-followers are positionally saints, but they may still have a long way to go in the practical outworking of their faith, obedience and holiness.

I’ve seen some of these unpleasant characters in churches. Maybe you have too.

1. The Pharisees

In the Bible, the proud Pharisees were quick to condemn and judge. Jesus called them hypocrites and revealed their true disposition in Matthew and Luke.

Today’s church Pharisees judge others harshly while making light of their own failings. Some lash out when their prestige is threatened. Others erect burdensome rules for others, hoping to improve their own standing.

People may appear upstanding—but remember, “The LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

2. The False

False teachers creep into the church and spread lies. They have a form of godliness, but their compromising teachings are not solid doctrine.

People embrace falseness when they heed voices in the culture more than the pure Word of God, or redefine biblical truth and then expect others to comply.

Paul warned Timothy “seducers” would get worse, “deceiving and being deceived.” We need to know the scriptures well and not be led astray (2 Timothy 3:13-17).

Experience the 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 in Christ. The Bible tells us that, spiritually speaking, no one is free. In Romans 6, Paul explains that we are all slaves. We are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. Those who are slaves to sin cannot free themselves from it, but once we are freed from the penalty and power of sin through the cross, we become a different kind of slave, and in that slavery we find complete peace and true freedom.

Although it seems like a contradiction, the only true freedom in Christ comes to those who are His slaves. Slavery has come to mean degradation, hardship, and inequality. But the biblical paradigm is the true freedom of the slave of Christ who experiences joy and peace, the products of the only true freedom we will ever know in this life. There are 124 occurrences in the New Testament of the word doulos, which means “someone who belongs to another” or “bondslave with no ownership rights of his own.” Unfortunately, most modern Bible versions, as well as the King James Version, most often translate doulos as “servant” or “bond-servant.” But a servant is one who works for wages, and who, by virtue of his work, is owed something from his master. The Christian, on the other hand, has nothing to offer the Lord in payment for his forgiveness, and he is totally owned by the Master who bought him with His shed blood on the cross. Christians are purchased by that blood and are the possession of their Lord and Savior. We are not hired by Him; we belong to Him (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 7:4). So “slave” is really the only proper translation of the word doulos.

Powerful Bible Verses about Love to Encourage You.

 1. ”The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” ― Genesis 2:18

2. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?" ― Ecclesiastes 4:9

3. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.” ― Ephesians 5:25-33

4. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." ― 1 John 4:16

5. "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine." ― Song of Solomon 8:3

6. “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” ― Proverbs 31:11-12

Inspiring Quotes from Well-Known Authors, Theologians, and Book Characters:

7. “Human love is directed to the other person for his own sake, spiritual love loves him for Christ's sake. Therefore, human love seeks direct contact with the other person; it loves him not as a free person but as one whom it binds to itself. It wants to gain, to capture by every means; it uses force. It desires to be irresistible, to rule.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

8. “A common vision can unite people of very different temperaments.” ― Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage

9. "Most foundationally, marriage is the doing of God. And ultimately, marriage is the display of God." — John Piper

10. "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." — Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice

11. “‎True love isn't expressed in passionately whispered words an intimate kiss or a embrace; before two people are married, love is expressed in self-control, patience, even words left unsaid.” ― Joshua Harris

12. "The point is the love story. We live in a love story in the midst of war." — John Eldredge

13. "To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it careful round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable . . . The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers . . . of love is Hell.   — C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves

14. "Love says: I’ve seen the ugly parts of you, and I’m staying." — Matt Chandler

15. “I always said, ‘When things come against us we can either turn on each other, or we can come together and turn on it.’” ― Chip Gaines, The Magnolia Story

16. “The joy of intimacy is the reward of commitment.” ― Joshua Harris

17. "Marriage is patterned after Christ’s covenant relationship to his redeemed people, the church. And therefore, the highest meaning and the most ultimate purpose of marriage is to put the covenant relationship of Christ and his church on display. That is why marriage exists. If you are married, that is why you are married. If you hope to be, that should be your dream." — John Piper

18. “Men, you'll never be a good groom to your wife unless you're first a good bride to Jesus.” ― Timothy Keller

19. “Material things are no replacement for human, emotional love.” ― Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages

20. "Here’s a blueprint for marriage: 1. We become overwhelmed by Christ’s care for us. 2. So we shower our wives with the same love we receive from God. 3. Then, people are shocked by our extravagant love toward our wives. 4. As a result, we are given an opportunity to tell them about the love of Christ that compels us." — Francis Chan (You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity)

21. “The only way love can last a lifetime is if it's unconditional. The truth is this: love is not determined by the one being loved but rather by the one choosing to love.” ― Stephen Kendrick, The Love Dare

22. “When one has once fully entered the realm of love, the world — no matter how imperfect — becomes rich and beautiful, it consists solely of opportunities for love.”

― Søren Kierkegaard, Works of Love

23. “Love is at the heart of marriage, as it is at the heart of God himself (1 John 4:16).”

― Henry Cloud, Boundaries in Marriage

24. ”Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.” — Martin Luther

25. ”When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.” — C. S. Lewis

Relationships and love are a foundational piece of the purpose of mankind. From relationship with God to relationship with one another, bonds are formed and the love and work of the Kingdom of God is carried out. When looking first and foremost to Him as the root, and then a commitment to one another, true beauty is formed.

AuthorCally Logan is a writer and sixth grade English teacher from Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Regent University with a degree in English with High Honors. Currently she is a writer for Polished ministries, and head of the Dear Sparrows Ministry site, and the podcast, “Dear Sparrows.” In her free time she enjoys leading a High School girls small group, cooking, and spending time in tree houses. Her latest book, “Dear Young Sparrow” is available everywhere or at DearSparrows.com

What does it mean to be a man of God?

“Man of God” is the description given to a man that follows God in every way, who obeys His commands with joy, who does not live for the things of this life but for the things of eternity, who willingly serves his God in giving freely of all his resources yet gladly suffers as a consequence of his faith. Perhaps Micah 6:8 sums up the man of God in one neat verse: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

The man of God does not swindle or defraud his employer by turning up late for work or spending an hour on the internet during work hours; he doesn’t gossip or slander; he keeps his mind and heart pure by guarding his eyes and ears from the filth of the world; he is the spiritual leader of his family. He does everything opposite to what the world does or approves of; he goes "against the grain" of society because he knows these things displease God; he considers those who are "disadvantaged" or those rejected by society, those that are lonely or despairing; he is a listener to other people’s problems and does not judge.

Most of all, the man of God understands that when our Lord commanded him to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48), he is only able to accomplish that because God enables him to be “holy and blameless in his sight” (Ephesians 1:4) through His power and the indwelling of His Spirit. On our own, we are incapable of holiness and perfection, but through Christ who strengthens us, we can "do all things" (Philippians 4:13). The man of God knows that his new nature is that of the righteousness of Christ which was exchanged for our sinful nature at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:9). The final result is that he walks humbly with his God, knowing that he must rely solely upon Him to be able to live to the full and persevere to the end.

Perhaps the Christian today is lacking in these qualities, but this is what simple religion is all about—the simple religion that is yet sufficient to please God: helping those in distress and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1:23). We can have an awareness of all biblical doctrines, we can know all the theological terms, we may be able to translate the Bible from the original Greek and so on, but the principle of Micah 6:8 is the principle that the man of God must follow: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Recommended Resource: The Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David by Alan Redpath

Ang ibig sabihin ng teolohiya (Theology)

Ang salitang ‘teolohiya’ o ‘theology’ ay nagmula sa dalawang salitang Griyego na pinagsama na ang ibig sabihin ay ‘pagaaral tungkol sa Diyos.’ Ang Kristiyanong teolohiya ay isang simpleng pagtatangka na unawain ang Diyos kung paano Siya ipinakilala sa Bibliya. Walang teolohiya ang kumpletong makapagpapaliwanag sa Diyos at sa Kanyang mga kaparaanan dahil ang Diyos ay walang hanggan at sobrang mataas ang karunungan ng higit sa atin. Kaya nga anumang pagtatangka na ilarawan Siya ay magiging kapos pa rin (Roma 11:33-36). Gayunman, nais ng Diyos na makilala natin Siya hanggang sa abot ng ating makakaya, at ang teolohiya ang sining at siyensya ng pagaaral sa lahat ng ating kayang maunawaan tungkol sa Diyos sa isang organisadong kaparaanan. May mga tao na iniiwasan ang pagaaral ng teolohiya dahil naniniwala sila na ito diumano ang nagiging sanhi ng pagkakabahabahagi sa halip ng pagkakaisa. Ngunit kung mauunawaan ng tama, ang teolohiya ay nagiging daan sa tunay na pagkakaisa. Ang isang tama at Biblikal na teolohiya ay mabuting bagay; ito ang pagtuturo ng Salita ng Diyos (2 Timoteo 3:16-17). 

What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?

 Jesus’ command not to judge others could be the most widely quoted of His sayings, even though it is almost invariably quoted in complete disregard of its context. Here is Jesus’ statement: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” Taken in isolation, Jesus’ command “Do not judge” does indeed seem to preclude all negative assessments. However, there is much more to the passage than those three words.

The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean we cannot show discernment. Immediately after Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matthew 7:6). A little later in the same sermon, He says, “Watch out for false prophets. . . . By their fruit you will recognize them” (verses 15–16). How are we to discern who are the “dogs” and “pigs” and “false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on doctrines and deeds? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.

Also, the Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean all actions are equally moral or that truth is relative. The Bible clearly teaches that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie—but, of course, to call something a “lie” is to pass judgment. To call adultery or murder a sin is likewise to pass judgment—but it’s also to agree with God. When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify sin for what it is, based on God’s definition of sin

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in Leviticus 19:28. In Canaan, evidence indicates that instead of marking the body with ink, more extreme scarification measures, like branding, slashing or gashing the skin were used. Archeology, backed by biblical texts, indicates the Canaanites would customarily slash their bodies for ritualistic purposes (1 Kings 18:28), especially to mourn their dead and honor their gods. Leviticus 19:28 seems to imply this when it says, “you will not make cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, nor print marks on you.” In light of this information from Egypt and Canaan, it would seem God was forbidding scarification, not tattooing as we know it.

With this said, you still need to think before you ink ... especially if you’re a Christian. The following are guiding questions to help you think through your decision:

1. Modification

Since the Bible does not explicitly forbid tattoos, are there any limits? We know our body is not our own, but rather God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Bible has a high view of the body as God’s handiwork, which is not to be disfigured. Non-Israelites did not hold this view. Today, some have permanently modified their bodies to look more like animals or aliens than humans, who alone are created in his image. We must ask ourselves how much we can modify our bodies to suit our desires while not disfiguring the beauty of the human form as God made it. 

2. Motive

Why get a tattoo? If it is in rebellion to parents, it is clearly not acceptable (Ephesians 6:1-3). And while artistic self-expression can be OK, our primary motive for anything we do should be to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). This means seeking to honor and draw attention to him, not ourselves. Getting a tattoo for purposes of witness may be acceptable, but remember, this is not the primary or most effective way to evangelize. It is in no way a substitute for verbally communicating the gospel. You are not fulfilling the Great Commission simply because you have a tattoo of a Bible verse.

What Do You Feed Your Eyes?

 Article by Marshall Segal

Staff writer, desiringGod.org

What we feed our eyes will eventually rule our hearts. And I’m not just talking about pornography.

Jesus says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22–23; Luke 11:34).

Yes, our eyes will be drawn to what our hearts desire, but they also often hold sway. Our eyes are not neutral. They influence and even drive our hearts. If we feed them what is true, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, our eyes can grow our faith, heighten our love, and intensify our happiness. But where the eyes wander, the heart quickly follows — and falls. How many of us leave our eyes on too long a leash?

For some, tragically, it is pornography. For others, it’s something less salacious, like sports scores or news headlines. For others, Instagram or Facebook. For still others, it’s Amazon or Target, YouTube or Netflix. Just because something isn’t inherently bad, doesn’t mean it can’t fill our eyes so full as to crowd out the one who matters most. That’s what darkened eyes are: eyes so full of something other than Christ that they can no longer see him and enjoy him.

Lamp of the Body

When Moses warned Israel about idolatry, he stared directly into their eyes:

“Watch yourselves very carefully. . . . Beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth. And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them.” (Deuteronomy 4:15–19)

The eye is the lamp of the body, he said to God’s people, and if you allow yours to lust after the things you have made, or even after the wonders God has made — your eyes will lead your heart astray and eventually destroy you.

Moses didn’t mention sexually explicit images. No, he knew the people would be tempted to worship even the good in creation — animals, birds, and fish; sun, moon, and stars — the wonders God had placed all around them. The wonder of wonders is that we often end up worshiping the wonder and not the Creator.

Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized?

While the Bible does not explicitly state whether a Christian can be possessed by a demon, related biblical truths make it abundantly clear that Christians cannot be demon possessed. There is a distinct difference between being possessed by a demon and being oppressed or influenced by a demon. Demon possession involves a demon having direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person (Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 4:33-35; 8:27-33). Demon oppression or influence involves a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior. Notice that in all the New Testament passages dealing with spiritual warfare, there are no instructions to cast a demon out of a believer (Ephesians 6:10-18). Believers are told to resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9), not to cast him out.

Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). Surely the Holy Spirit would not allow a demon to possess the same person He is indwelling. It is unthinkable that God would allow one of His children, whom He purchased with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) and made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), to be possessed and controlled by a demon. Yes, as believers, we wage war with Satan and his demons, but not from within ourselves. The apostle John declares, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Who is the One in us? The Holy Spirit. Who is the one in the world? Satan and his demons. Therefore, the believer has overcome the world of demons, and the case for demon possession of a believer cannot be made scripturally.

With the strong biblical evidence that a Christian cannot be demon possessed in view, some Bible teachers use the term “demonization” to refer to a demon having control over a Christian. Some argue that while a Christian cannot be demon possessed, a Christian can be demonized. Typically, the description of demonization is virtually identical to the description of demon possession. So, the same issue results. Changing the terminology does not change the fact that a demon cannot inhabit or take full control of a Christian. Demonic influence and oppression are realities for Christians, no doubt, but it is simply not biblical to say that a Christian can be possessed by a demon or demonized.

Much of the reasoning behind the demonization concept is the personal experience of seeing someone who was “definitely” a Christian exhibiting evidence of being controlled by a demon. It is crucially important, though, that we do not allow personal experience to influence our interpretation of Scripture. Rather, we must filter our personal experiences through the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Seeing someone whom we thought to be a Christian exhibiting the behavior of being demonized should cause us to question the genuineness of his/her faith. It should not cause us alter our viewpoint on whether a Christian can be demon possessed / demonized. Perhaps the person truly is a Christian but is severely demon oppressed and/or suffering from severe psychological problems. But again, our experiences must meet the test of Scripture, not the other way around.

Recommended Resource: The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare by Chip Ingram

What did Jesus mean when He said, 'I am the way and the truth and the life' (John 14:6)?

“I am the way and the truth and the life” is one of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus. On the last night before His betrayal and death, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the days ahead. For over three years, these men had been following Jesus and learning from His teaching and example. They had placed their hopes in Him as the Messiah, the promised deliverer, yet they still didn’t understand how He was going to accomplish that deliverance. After the Last Supper, Jesus began speaking about His departure, which led to questions from His disciples.

In John 13:33, Jesus said, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” This prompted Peter to ask where He was going (verse 36). Peter and the others did not understand that Jesus was speaking of His death and ascension to heaven. Jesus’ response was, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter was still misunderstanding and declared that he would follow Jesus anywhere and even lay down His life if necessary. As Jesus patiently continued to teach His disciples, He began speaking more plainly about heaven, describing the place He was going to prepare for them (John 14:2–3). Then Jesus said, “You know the way to the place where I am going” (verse 4). Speaking for the others, Thomas said they did not know where He was going, so how could they know how to follow Him there? It was in answer to this question that Jesus uttered one of the seven famous “I am” statements.

I am – In the Greek language, “I am” is a very intense way of referring to oneself. It would be comparable to saying, “I myself, and only I, am.” Several other times in the Gospels we find Jesus using these words. In Matthew 22:32 Jesus quotes Exodus 3:6, where God uses the same intensive form to say, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” In John 8:58, Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” The Jews clearly understood Jesus to be calling Himself God because they took up stones to stone Him for committing blasphemy in equating Himself with God. In Matthew 28:20, as Jesus gave the Great Commission, He gave it emphasis by saying, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When the soldiers came seeking Jesus in the garden the night before His crucifixion, He told them, “I am he,” and His words were so powerful that the soldiers fell to the ground (John 18:4–6). These words reflect the very name of God in Hebrew, Yahweh, which means “to be” or “the self-existing one.” It is the name of power and authority, and Jesus claimed it as His own.

10 Women in the Bible Who Struggled to Trust God’s Plan

By: Kristine Brown

My situation looked bleak from every direction. I wanted to trust God’s plan. I really did. So why was I struggling to believe God could help me in the midst of what seemed impossible? Sometimes, God gives us opportunities to come to a deeper level of trust in Him. During those dark times, we have a choice. Will we doubt, or will we trust God to guide us?

If you’ve ever doubted, take heart. You are not alone. Many women in the Bible also questioned God’s plan. Through their stories, we can learn how God works through our trials to draw us closer. When we rely on His sovereignty instead of our strength, we will discover faith like never before. Here are 10 women in the Bible who struggled to trust God’s plan.

1. Eve

“The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it,” (Genesis 3:6 NLT).

The planner in me dislikes not knowing. I want everything written down in orderly fashion in my ultra-efficient organizer. I want to be able to cross out one item at a time on my to-do list while smiling with satisfaction. Planning makes me feel in control, and I like being in control.

So when I come face to face with unexpected circumstances, I feel self-sufficiency slip away. That’s when fear finds its place in my heart. Eve gave in to the temptation to know more. Just like Eve, I want wisdom to be able to figure things out on my own and answer all those what-if questions. What if it doesn’t work out? What if something bad happens? But focusing on the unknown gives fear an edge. God wants us to release our need to know and trust Him with the plan.

2. Sarah

“Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son,’” (Genesis 18:13-14).

When something happens that can’t be explained, I try to reason it out. Find a way to make sense of it. God may be working a miracle in my life, but my mind can be my worst enemy.

No doubt Sarah was a bright woman. She knew the impossibility of her giving birth. Why should she believe three strangers? Like Sarah, we struggle to trust God’s plan because He can do things beyond our human understanding. God’s Word says to “lean not on your own understanding,” (Proverbs 3:5). As we grasp the Truth of that verse, we can learn to let go of doubt and trust God’s miracle-working power.

3. Hagar

“When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. ‘I don’t want to watch the boy die,’ she said, as she burst into tears,” (Genesis 21:15-16).

Have you ever been stuck in a situation where you couldn’t see a way out? Where every possible answer seemed to make matters worse? We focus on what we can’t see happening, and hopelessness takes over. When our current circumstances look bleak, it’s easy to forget God’s past promises.

Years before, Hagar had taken a trip into the desert. While there, God made a promise to her. “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count,” (Gen. 16:10). Now, she struggled to hold onto hope. It may have been years since her first visit from an angel, but God’s promise to Hagar hadn’t expired. His Word says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ,” (2 Cor. 1:20). When we’re at our weakest, His assurance remains strong.

4. Job's Wife

“His wife said to him, ‘Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die,’” (Job 2:9).

She watched her husband in agony, his entire body covered with painful boils. His discomfort was so great, he scraped himself with broken pottery. Nothing aches like watching those closest to us suffer. And no one knew better how that felt than Job’s wife.

Although it may seem like Job’s wife responded to his condition with callousness, many of us can understand her heartbreak. Watching someone we love with a debilitating illness can make us feel helpless, fearful, and sometimes even angry at God. Her comment reveals deep hurt. It exposes those feelings we harbor in our hearts when hope fades. Questions like, “Why would God allow something so terrible to happen?” take over our thoughts. But even through our darkest times, God’s will prevails. God said Job had “maintained his integrity.” (Job 2:3) That kind of faith can encourage those we love to trade helplessness for hope.

5. Lot's Wife

“But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt,” (Genesis 19:26).

Early in our marriage, my husband and I moved several times. Each time we relocated, a pattern emerged. I would overthink, second-guess, and question our decision. I compared the newness of the now to the familiarity of the past, which would once again trigger fear of the future.

In times of change, I struggle to trust God’s direction. Perhaps Lot’s wife had the same questions as her family embarked on the unknown. Scripture does not reveal why Lot’s wife looked back, only that she disobeyed God’s command. Many times, we don’t know the why, but we keep our eyes forward as we take the next step in faith. If we dwell on the past, we risk missing out on God’s blessings ahead.

Forgiveness: The Very Essence of Our Faith

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, you Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Joseph was the pride and joy of his father. Though Jacob had ten other sons, he favored Joseph, the one born to him in his old age. Jacob never bothered to hide his special feelings—not even from his other sons. In fact, he expressed his favoritism blatantly and visibly by having an expensive coat made especially for Joseph.

This did not go unnoticed by the older brothers, and they began to resent their spoiled young sibling. Joseph, who was either oblivious to their resentment or insensitive to it, made it worse by bragging to his brothers about his dreams that he would one day rule over them. In one dream, his brothers' sheaves of grain bowed down to his. In another dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him.

Eventually, Joseph's vivid dreams and their father's favoritism so infuriated the brothers that they plotted Joseph's death. While trying to decide the best way to accomplish it, they spotted a caravan of spice traders on the way to Egypt. Instead of killing Joseph, they decided to sell him as a slave. They said good riddance to their dreaming brother and made up a story to tell their father about his favorite son's tragic fate.

So much for dreams of greatness. At age seventeen, Joseph became a slave in Egypt, then a prisoner in a rank dungeon for a crime he did not commit. The situation provided Joseph with plenty of time to think about his life and what he had done. Somewhere along the way, Joseph made a choice. He decided to forgive his brothers. Eventually God fulfilled the promise he had conveyed through dreams to the brash young man, but not before refining Joseph's character through forgiveness.