Be holy.
God did not say it is impossible or difficult, but simply commanded us to be holy. So it is not an option, but a command to be followed.
We should be thankful that God pointed us to himself as the model to follow for holiness (see Leviticus 11:44). The Bible declares that God … Read the rest
Sexual fantasies occupy much space in a man’s mind. If he is not on his guard, not right with God, or is not walking with God at the moment; the sight of a woman can trigger a lot of sexual thoughts in his mind.
This is because men are stimulated by sight. It doesn’t matter … Read the rest
Lust deceives. You might not know it. The lack of physical or emotional intimacy in marriage can make you feel attracted to someone else other than your husband or wife. Maybe lack of appreciation or care can be a sea of petrol or gasoline waiting to be ignited by a casual physical touch, a longing … Read the rest
God is merciful. He will show you compassion.
But if that is all, then you have got a wrong picture of God. He is holy.
You need to look at the holiness of God before you find reasons to justify your surfing the internet to see or read porn.
God understands your struggle. You do … Read the rest
Be Prepared
Man first landed on the moon after years of preparation. Likewise, a team which wins the cricket or football world cup or an athlete who wins gold at the Olympics does so after years of hard work and preparation. Again, no one clears a national level examination without long years of preparation. … Read the rest
We all make decisions every day. As a young person, it is important that you learn to make good decisions. Let us try to find out some steps that can help you make the right decisions in life.
Wisdom
The first thing needed to make good decisions is wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to apply … Read the rest
Christmas is about a response to good news.
Mary accepts the plan God had for her. It is not easy for us to imagine the trembling that might have come to Mary who was a village teenage girl when twenty centuries ago angel Gabriel told her that she was going to become pregnant as a … Read the rest
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
John devotes more space to the trial of Jesus before Pilate than in the other gospels (John 18:28—19:16). We find Pilate unable to make a decision in favour of Jesus and yielding to the unjust demand of the Jews, “Crucify! Crucify!”
In spite of certain … Read the rest
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
John 15:1
Israel the Vine and Jesus the True Vine
Jesus is speaking about the intimate union we can have with him. In a theological sense, Israel was the vine that God had planted (see Isaiah 5:1—7). But it continually failed to witness to God … Read the rest
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
Let us look at the last night of Jesus on earth. John devotes Chapters 13 to 19 to the last twenty-four hours of Jesus on earth.
I Am He!
We find Jesus predicting his betrayal to the Twelve. Then he makes this statement:
… Read the rest“I am
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
Matthew Henry divides the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman (John Chapter 4) into four heads:
The above … Read the rest
So many youngsters are worried about finding God’s will. In today’s world they are more in confusion about right sexual conduct.
The Bible speaks about this in very clear terms.
Flee.
That means run away from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Tim 2:22). So do not stay in a place, situation or in front … Read the rest
Is there any benefit in trying to understand and obey God’s will in your life? This question should be asked and its answer should satisfy. Otherwise you will never be sure why you are seeking God’s will in your life. Four benefits of seeking God’s will are enumerated here.
A Special Relationship:
Jesus was once
Jesus had higher priorities in life. It was seen in different instances.
For example, when He was hungry the disciples had gone to buy food. During that time He was having a conversation with the Samaritan woman by the well that proved life-changing and life-giving to her. The disciples came and urged Him to eat … Read the rest
The clock was Jesus’ slave. Never did Jesus get His sense of timing wrong. He always waited for the right time, the appropriate time; the time the Father had set for Him to act.
Jesus demonstrated this many times. To Mary, His mother, who told Him that there was no more wine at the wedding … Read the rest
Jesus was always driven with a purpose. The great sense of the mission He had to fulfill was very strong in Him. In other words, He always referred to having been “sent” to this world by His Father:
“For I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but … Read the rest
The desire to please God was a dominant force in the life of Jesus.
Jesus once said: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29 NIV) [author’s emphasis]. Jesus enjoyed a continuous conscious presence of God in His life … Read the rest
Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (Ref. Isaiah 9:6). This was described in the great prophecy of the coming Messiah. And it was also said that there will be increase of peace when he governs (Ref. Isaiah (9:7a).
Therefore, when a person allows Jesus to govern his life, there will be an increase of peace … Read the rest
Doing God’s will is a choice. That is made clear by Jesus’ statement, “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17 NIV).
Note the first part of that statement: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will.” It … Read the rest
Jesus is the only man who walked on earth and was able to do God’s will perfectly. Therefore He and His life is the best model from which we can learn.
Our lives will not be eventful like His life. Even then, in the quiet corners of our room or in the busy offices;
Forgiving someone is one of the hardest things to do. Preaching about it is very easy though. Yet when we try to forgive someone who has wronged us badly we feel an intense battle in our heart. So it is clear that we need God’s grace to forgive others.
One of the things that prevent … Read the rest
| Theme: A Prayer for Confirmation |
| Focus on: Gideon |
| Reading Portion(s): Judges 6 |
| – Important Background Information | |
| – Helps you find strength in God |
| What this article teaches you |
| We all have fears. Sometimes these fears affect the way we act. It affects us so much that we fear to act even when God |
Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out (Numbers 9:21b, 22 NIV).
Think about a faithful … Read the rest
So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back? (2 Samuel 19:10b NIV).
Where is your king? Have you sent him away and anointed someone else to be your king?
Look at history. King David had to flee because the people of Israel had made his son Absalom king. But Absalom died in … Read the rest
Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams” (Genesis 40:8b NIV).
The Bible deals much about dreams. The Book of Genesis and the Book of Daniel contains many references to dreams and their interpretation. Today, there is much talk about dreams in the Christian world too.
They quote … Read the rest
So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink” (Judges 7:5 NIV).
Many come to serve God. But God does not choose all. He first of all finds those who are … Read the rest
You are my witnesses (Isaiah 43:10a NIV).
God repeats this statement in quick succession twice (Isaiah 43:12 and 44:8). That means God meant it to be taken very seriously indeed. So what does it mean?
First of all it means that you need to have an intimate knowledge of God. This is important because no … Read the rest
The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites … ” (Deuteronomy 1:6, 7a NIV).
Achievers for God don’t sit still for ever. They press forward. They do not make victories an occasion for rest. But … Read the rest
“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin (Isaiah 30:1 NIV).
Alliances play an important role in life. They can help you or cause your ruin. So one should enter into alliances very … Read the rest
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8 NIV).
In this verse there is a prophetic reference to Jesus Christ’s passion to do God’s will (Hebrews 10:5–7). In fact, Jesus’ entire life was characterized by a desire to God’s will at all times and in all … Read the rest
