The genuineness of faith is proven by difficulties. 1 Peter 1:7 says, “the trial of your faith” (KJV) the Greek word here means “testing”, and the NKJ says “genuineness”. Peter here alludes to gold which is one of the most enduring metals, yet it must be refined by fire to remove impurities and prove its […]
In a world filled with suffering, disappointments, broken promises, abuse, terrorism, addictions, bullying, immorality, bloodshed, and every other vice and evil, when life’s storms are raging high and it appears that all hope is gone, and we like Paul and those on board a ship with him in a violent storm at sea in Acts […]
In 1 John 5:4 the Spirit of God tells us, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” It is very interesting and helpful to look at some of the Greek words used in the original writing. “Whatever” in verse 4 […]
Faith and hope are so intertwined that it may be difficult to separate them. It appears that one cannot operate without the other as its companion; without faith hope has no certainty, without hope faith has no object to believe for, or entity to believe in, no aim, goal, or target if you will. Romans […]
As we travel through life we often find it filled with sorrows, pain, hurt, and heavy burdens. The Bible recognizes this in Job 5:7 saying, “man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.” The same sentiment is expressed in 14:1. There are two different Hebrew words used in these verses, respectively meaning trial, […]
The book of Lamentations portrays the people of Judah, God’s covenant people who were given the covenants and promises, but had now rebelled and disobeyed, breaking the covenant. For this reason God withdrew His hand of blessing; punishment, destruction, and judgment had come upon them, and under these conditions hope seems to have been lost, […]
“And the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith” Luke 17:5. Now Romans 12:3 tells us that “God has dealt to each one a measure (limited portion) of faith.” Every one of us who are Christians has been saved by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8). From the moment of salvation we all live […]
Hope, one of the anchors of the Christian life, is deeply rooted in the same garden as faith. The Psalmist sums it up in 119:81, “… I hope in Your word” and here, the word that is translated “hope” from the Hebrew language, means to wait, and implies to be patient. Looking at hope in […]
Probably the greatest picture of bonding in the natural world is found in true marriage when laying aside the modern trend, where marriage is entered into lightly, and then at the early signs of difficulty or of one not getting their own way, there is separation and divorce, with each treading their own path. True […]
The purpose of a vine, particularly a grape vine, is to bear fruit; but in order to bear fruit, the branch must stay connected to the vine, as we see in John 15:3, where Jesus uses a vine and its branches to illustrate Himself and our relationship with Him. Now, the question is, how do […]