The simplest step of prayer is the most neglected one. That one single step is to start to pray. Planning to pray might not work. Finding the right moment to pray might delay the first step by years. The best thing is to pray now.
But if you find it difficult you need to ask … Read the rest
Many Christians are often tormented by the fear of death. Yet it is a deceptive attack of the devil. When he succeeds in putting the fear of death in your minds he effectively destroys your peace of mind and also destroys your ability to tell others about Christ.
You have to note that this attack … Read the rest
We act all the time everyday; not in movies but in our interaction with others. We put on masks. We wear one at home, put on another at the workplace and yet another at the Church.
And the most difficult part comes when at times the masks are accidentally removed at the wrong places to … Read the rest
There are many Christians who suffer because they think that they are insignificant. If you are one of those, right away, let me ask you a logical question: “Would Christ have died for you if you were insignificant?”
Can you answer this question honestly? If you can, your thoughts of insignificance would disappear immediately!
Or, … Read the rest
When you grow up in an environment where people speak negative words to you, you cannot escape feeling worthless. They constantly compare you to others saying “See how that child is doing this. Why can’t you match their performance. You’re no good.”
How your heart was crushed when you heard those piercing words! But the … Read the rest
Many Christians have thoughts like these:“I am not able to do that work” or “I am not able to make that change.” Thoughts of these kind comes from feelings of inadequacy. A feeling that you are not capable of doing the task at hand.
Before you give up totally think of Moses. Think of what … Read the rest
Growing up in poor circumstances and then having to live and work among the rich and powerful people can create thoughts of inferiority. When troubled under such circumstances think of Someone who gives you His company:
… Read the rest“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes
There are no Christians on earth who have never doubted. If there are any who have never doubted you can be sure that they have never grown much in faith. You see, doubt, is part of growth in Christian life.
The nature of doubt varies from time to time. Some doubts could be like this: … Read the rest
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:17 NIV).
In your struggle against the devil you lose many times because you do not resist him. The devil is an enemy who flees when resisted. This is a truth that you need to understand.
But then why does … Read the rest
There are many well-meaning Christians who unknowingly glorify Satan in their talks constantly. This happens when they are obsessed with finding demonic activity in every bad incident that comes across their way.
Then they keep saying that the devil did this and did that. But sadly they are yielding worship to the devil by doing … Read the rest
One of the characteristics of the tongue which James points out is worth a closer look. He says that the tongue can corrupt the whole person and can set the whole course of his life on fire.
We need to take this to heart. What we speak has a powerful influence on our entire being. … Read the rest
One of the greatest expositions in the entire Bible on the Tongue occurs at James 3: 1 to 12. Read it and take it to heart.
James tells us that though the tongue is a small part of the body it makes great boasts. It is also like a fire and world of evil corrupting … Read the rest
Jesus said: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:22, 23 NIV).
Jesus … Read the rest
God has declared that He will create everything “New.” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).
But it often takes years for young Christians to realize that they need to welcome the new and give up the old with … Read the rest
The world attacks by imposing its ideas through the media, different forms of entertainment and through a wide variety of gurus who propagate philosophies which oppose God’s Word. All these ideas are popular and enjoy a wide following.
Christians too are tempted to think about all these since those who follow all these seem to … Read the rest
A Christian should understand that his mind is always under attack. Satan attacks through temptations.
Added to these are the words of criticism, discouragement and ridicule of Christian and Non-Christian friends who oppose your close walk with God.
So it is your primary duty to guard your mind and heart. Imagine your mind as a … Read the rest
Do not think you’re a hypocrite. You become a hypocrite only when you try to hide your sins from God. Confess them and seek the cleansing through the precious blood of Jesus.
Do not wait for the right moment. Do not wait for the next day. Seek His forgiveness and washing with His precious blood … Read the rest
Let me ask you just one thing: “When did you experience God’s love best?” Was it when everything was going fine for you or was it when you went and knelt before God seeking His forgiveness?
Easily answered. It was when you cried out to God for forgiveness that you felt the overwhelming compassion of … Read the rest
Maybe you have been struggling with one particular area of sin common to youngsters, both Christian and Non-Christian youth.
You have grown desperate over the lack of victory over sin in spite of your repeated prayers and attempts to live a holy life. And at this point of time you might be wondering whether there … Read the rest
One of the most discomforting thoughts when sin attacks is the thought that you are so wicked because you are having such bad thoughts.
But before you condemn yourself as the most wicked person on earth think on what the Bible speaks about this:“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man” (1 … Read the rest
Now you might wonder why you fall into that same sin again and again. It is because the nature of sin is that it entangles. It means that it intertwines around you. As you try to escape you find that you are held more strongly and in more confusing knots.
David spoke of this as … Read the rest
It was exactly to help you that Jesus came. As long as you accept that you have a need He is there to help you. That is why He said: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31 NIV).
So just let Jesus know that … Read the rest
Dear young man and young woman reading this now, God has loved you dearly in Jesus Christ. That love does not waver and does not change. That is the reason why God sent Jesus Christ to this earth.
What do you think? Do you think that Jesus had some divine skin while He lived on … Read the rest
Christian youth face a lot of temptations in the world today. They are surrounded by a lot of invitations to sinful thinking and action. Their friends talk and try to convince them that what they do is no sin at all.
What they read, hear and see in the media add to the confusion. And … Read the rest
One of the strongest causes of unhappiness for a young and growing Christian is the torment of guilt. He may be sure that his sins are forgiven.
Yet he feels guilty. The main reason for this is the lack of knowledge of what God’s Word says about being free from guilt.
The first thing that … Read the rest
The greatest defeats in Christian life are caused by despair over sin already committed. Many pray over it asking God’s forgiveness. But soon accusing thoughts from Satan bombard their mind.
This makes them feel that their sin has not been forgiven. This leads to despair. And many are led into the same sin again because … Read the rest
God has given us His Word to fight Satan. It is given to us as an attacking weapon. That is why the Word of God is called “the sword of the Spirit.” (Ref. Ephesians 6:17b and Hebrews 4:12).
But how can you use the sword if you are not familiar with it? So as a … Read the rest
We are brought near to God through the blood of Jesus alone. There is no other comfort to a Christian than the knowledge that he has been washed, cleansed and purified by the blood of the Lamb of God.
A Christian’s walk of victory is often clouded by frustration as he forgets this divine truth. … Read the rest
In Romans chapter 15 verse 7 Paul asks us to accept one another, “just as Christ accepted you.”
One thing that can hinder the walk of victory is the nagging doubt about God’s acceptance of us. Sometimes we are reminded about our past sins and our present shortcomings.
Then we feel unworthy. We feel that … Read the rest
Paul wrote: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
There are times when the battle against sin is clouded with despair. This happens when in spite of all effort sin habitually trips us and … Read the rest
