Maturing as Christians

For the believer in Christ, every scar, every lesson, every victory, and every breakthrough tells a wonderful story of God’s unmerited, undeserved favor and power. Therefore, it tells a story of grace because it proves that God actively stepped into human limitation, providing the wisdom, or strength that a person could never earn or achieve on their own. My story emphasizes that every experience—whether painful (scars, lessons) or triumphant (victories, breakthroughs)—serves

What you don't say communicates a massive amount of information. Your chosen absence of words, a withheld response, or the physical quiet you maintain reveals your true emotions, thoughts, or character just as clearly as spoken words would. The silence of the White House after Hokit’s remarks on Michelle Obama is overwhelmingly loud! After all, Hokit was their guest, and it was their party. Instead, when asked about it, the White House didn’t utter a word of apology to Michel

If you’re still waiting for God to keep a particular promise, check the context for a stipulation. The promise may be conditional, which means there’s a requirement to be met BEFORE fulfillment. Then make certain you’re carrying out your part. And remember that while the fulfillment is certain, the timing is always in the Lord’s hands. Be encouraged! ~Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Theologian, Bible Expositor & Teacher

Jesus teaches, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Biblically, this verse hinges entirely on the condition of abiding (remaining intimately connected to the teacher-disciple relationship with Jesus like a branch to a vine). When a believer deeply saturates their mind with God's Word, by remaining in the teacher-disciple relationship, their desires naturally align with His will, ensuring their prayers

We read, “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). This is a conditional promise which means, when you focus your joy and satisfaction entirely on God, He reshapes your desires so that they align with His will. When your heart wants what God wants, He naturally fulfills those godly desires. It means savoring God’s attributes, beauty, and love as your greatest treasure. Just as you would delight in a beautiful sunset or a feas

Christianity rests on a foundation of God’s promises. There are two kinds—unconditional and conditional. Fulfillment of an unconditional promise rests solely with the Lord. However, if a promise is conditional, fulfillment depends on certain requirements being met. We read, “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Many who profess Christianity treat this promise as unconditional, but it’s not! There’s a requirement to be met

Here's the principle: When believers forget who they are in Christ, they quit pursuing what belongs to them in Christ. Peter is saying that there's an identity amnesia in the body of Christ. We forget what we've been given in Christ, and identity amnesia always leads to identity replacement. If we’re not getting our identity vertically, then we’re going to get it horizontally. We turn our job into a means of identity. We turn our possessions into a means of identity. The prob

Had someone ask me, “What does the Black church mean in America?” My response to him, the Black church is literally expressive of the anti-slavery church that was born correcting the American heresy (divisive, self-willed doctrines, or teachings that distort the Gospel) promoted by 19th-century White Southerners. That heresy claimed race-based chattel slavery (a brutal system of forced labor) was sanctioned by the Bible and compatible with the teachings of Jesus. The heresy a

The truth is, if it's out of your control, it deserves freedom from your mind! This is a practical application of surrender and trust. It aligns with the teachings of giving your burdens to God, recognizing His sovereignty over human circumstances, and guarding your mind against useless worry. Believers are instructed to "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). When a mind is racing with things you cannot change, the biblical call is to intention

In a world that constantly measures value by achievement, performance, and output, the Bible offers a completely different standard. Your worth isn't tied to your productivity! It's tied to you being in Christ! Salvation and worth are free gifts from God, not rewards for hard work (Ephesians 2:8-9). When you are in Christ, your old identity based on worldly standards is gone. You are entirely new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your value is based on Jesus’ perfect track record, not yo