Bible Study

Why do so many Christian organizations use the world maranatha?

“Where is God?” Let’s explore what the Bible says about where God is and what we can do when we feel distant from him.

The Bible is filled with beautiful language, and these words have the ability to point us to the truth and provide a path to live life to the fullest. Yet there are many words that can be confusing to the average reader. Understanding a little more about these 10 words will undoubtedly unlock deeper meaning as we seek to listen to God’s Word.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/RyanJLane

Whenever you talk about prophecy, many people’s ears perk up because it’s a topic which captures their attention. However as high as the interest is in prophecy, I would argue that many people don’t understand prophecy and miss altogether what makes something a prophecy.While prophecy has its place, if you don’t understand it then it can actually be destructive to you. The core of prophecy is about God speaking, and that alone can be an encouragement. But if misused, it can also shipwreck your faith.Photo credit: Unsplash/Matthias Wagner

As we prepare for another year of celebration with Thanksgiving, we are going to look at gratitude lived out in Scripture. God gave us His Word so that we could learn from it and be changed by it and the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Today, we are going to learn from grateful people in the Bible.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/natalie_board

I would argue this is probably the most ignored commandment by Christians today. Most Christians understand and clearly agree with most of the commandments, 'Do not murder,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not steal,' and so on.

How do we follow the biblical advice that “a soft answer turns away wrath” in a world where people get praised for being as loud as possible?

Satan himself has a very “colorful” history, and many are surprised to find out that Satan, as we know him, was not always Satan. Once upon a time, in the dateless past, Satan was known as Lucifer. Why was he called Lucifer, and why was his name changed?

As Christians, we do have to exercise caution: there’s a difference between righteous and unrighteous anger. The Bible offers instruction on avoiding unrighteous anger, and examples of how righteous anger can lead to redemption.

In a world often filled with conflicts, stress, and uncertainty, we all want peace. There is nothing in this fallen world that can bring us true and lasting peace. But the good news is that we can experience peace through relationships with God. In your own life, you can find peace in any situation by seeking it from God. Psalm 29:11 assures you that God is your source of peace: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” God will bless you with peace in all ways: peace within yourself, peace with others, and peace in your relationship with him. When God is working through your life, his peace can flow through you into our troubled world, as well. Let’s explore 7 additional Bible verses that you can read, memorize, and pray about to invite more peace into your life.Each verse carries a message from God that can help you navigate life’s challenges with a peaceful heart and mind. It’s important to memorize these verses and incorporate them into your prayers as you pray and meditate on God’s Word regularly. Both memorization and prayer are crucial because committing these verses to memory ensures that you can access their wisdom and comfort at any moment. When you find yourself in a stressful situation, the verses can act as a source of immediate encouragement, reminding you of God’s promises and guidance. Memorizing these verses allows you to meditate on their meanings throughout the day. By repeating them in your mind, you can internalize their teachings and apply them to your circumstances. This practice can help you align your thoughts with God’s perspective, which helps you develop a peaceful mindset. Memorization is an active process that engages your mind and heart. As you commit these verses to memory, you not only store them in your brain but also let them take root in your spirit. This process of internalization sparks spiritual growth, helping you draw closer to God and the peace God wants to give you. When you pray these verses, you actively seek a deeper understanding of their significance and, as a result, grow closer to God. You’re spending time with God’s Word, and by doing so, you’re getting to know him better. As you develop a closer relationship with God, it becomes easier to trust in his plans and find peace in his presence. The act of praying these verses can help you notice God’s presence with you. That can encourage you and inspire you with wonder as you notice God’s work in your life. Building a habit of Bible memorization and prayer can keep you engaged with God regularly. It’s a powerful spiritual practice that can strengthen your faith and help you cultivate a lasting sense of peace. Finally, the verses you memorize and pray with aren’t just for your benefit; they can also be a source of encouragement for others. When you have these verses committed to memory and have prayed with them, you can readily share them with friends and family members as they are facing their own challenges. Your ability to share God’s wisdom can help your loved ones find peace of mind, as well.Photo Credit: ©Getty/Jantanee Rungpranomkorn

Reading morning Bible verses when you start your day is a powerful way to connect with God and find inspiration for the day ahead. After you wake up each morning, it probably won’t take long for you to think about your schedule and to-do list, full of responsibilities and activities that are waiting for you. It can be tempting to jump right into the busyness of each day. However, if you prioritize starting your day with God, God will empower you to thrive during the rest of your day. The time you spend with God in the morning is vital tochoosing the right mindset,opening your heart to God’s love, andmoving into your day with purpose. When you start your day with God by reading his Word, you’ll find all the inspiration and motivation you need for whatever situations you’ll face that day. You’ll have already connected with God, which will help younotice God’s presence with you throughout your day. Here are 10 morning verses to start your day with God.Photo Credit: Unsplash/SixteenMilesOut

Certain verses in Scripture stand out above the rest. These are the verses that are unique in some way, the kind that make for good trivia. For example, we know that “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse of the Bible, and that “Amen” is Scripture’s final word. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of Scripture, and John 3:16, unsurprisingly, is the Bible’s most quoted verse.Well, if there were ever a vote for which verse was the scariest, my vote would go for Matthew 7:21. Here, Jesus states matter-of-factly that, “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Jesus indicates that some may be mistaken about their own righteous connection to God. The fact is, simply calling yourself a Christian is not enough.As followers of Jesus, we need to take these words seriously. Christ strikes at the heart of what it means to live as his follower. Our discipleship is never about empty words or vain actions. We can’t simply talk a good game or rest upon our spiritual laurels; Jesus demands intentionality and dedication in our faith. Below are four important discipleship-lessons we can glean from Matthew 7:21-24.Photo credit: Unsplash/Anthony Tran

In the Gospel of John, Jesus often prefaces His teachings with the solemn phrase, "Truly, truly, I say to you," or "I tell you the truth." These statements underscore the power and authority of His words. Within these statements, we find valuable five lessons that continue to inspire and guide us.Truly, truly verses:John 5:24 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life."John 6:47 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life."John 8:34 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin."John 16:20 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy."John 6:53 (ESV): "So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.'"Here Are 5 Profound Lessons from Jesus' Truly Truly Statements:Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AlterYourReality

The Christian flag is widely used to represent the church. But what does the Christian flag stand for, exactly?

You may find the words "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" strange unless you grew up with someone who baked. So what does it mean in baking, and why does it appear in the Bible?