Maturing as Christians

What is biblical discernment? It separates the precious from the worthless! It is the Holy Spirit-empowered skill to separate truth from deception. It means to “judge, examine, or separate thoroughly.” The writer of Hebrews refers to it as the trained ability to “discern good from evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14). The Bible is the primary tool for discernment. A widely used analogy is that to easily recognize a counterfeit, bank tellers don't study every fake bill ever made. They stud

What is biblical discernment? Biblical discernment is the Holy Spirit-empowered skill of using God’s Word to distinguish between truth and error, and right and wrong. It moves beyond just making a "good choice" by enabling you to view situations, teachings, and life choices through the lens of God's character and truth (His perspective). Perspective is important. Our decisions and how we live our lives are based on how we see things. In that sense, perspective is often even m

Let’s respond rather than react! Biblically, a response happens when we stop, we think, we reframe our thinking with biblical truth. Reactions are the result of forgetting, or at least we’re not choosing to remember, that God is in control, that He knows what He’s doing, that none of this has happened by accident. Biblically, trusting God means resting in His unchanging character, promises, and control—especially when life makes no sense. It is an active choice to rely on His

Biblically, true Christlike love is tested by how you treat your enemies, betrayers, and those who hurt you. Even though Jesus knew Judas Iscariot was going to betray Him, He still washed his feet at the Last Supper (John 13:1-17). Jesus demonstrated that love and service should not be withheld even from one’s greatest adversary. Jesus taught to "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecut

As believers in Christ, it’s easy to get bogged down in all the turmoil, injustice, and evil that surrounds us. But how are we to respond? And how can the biblical response keep us from being troubled? There’s the political realm, social unrest, injustice, the craziness that’s on social media that seems to stir that pot and make it even worse in some cases. And, if that’s not enough, we’re encountering more and more sin and evil. We’re living in a time where wicked or decepti

Did you know that in the Bible, life and death are deeply spiritual states rather than just physical conditions? Physical death is defined as separation of the soul from the body, and spiritual death is defined as separation from God. The Bible describes physical death as the temporary separation of the human soul and spirit from the physical body. It entered the world as a direct consequence of Adam's sin (Genesis 2:17). Scripture describes spiritual death as the most seriou

In continuing to unpack what He means by the “abundant life,” Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). As Jesus says here, abundant life is that which is eternal, life without perishing, life that is protected by the hands of our Savior Himself. According to Jesus, the abundant life assures believers of absolute security in their salvation, emphasizing that God's protective grip is unbreakable

For many, the “abundant life” is the belief that Jesus’ promise in John 10:10 guarantees believers a life of escaping the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle (prosperity), perfect health, and total victory over poverty and sickness right now on Earth. It is accessed through speaking faith-filled words. Is that your experience? That’s not what Jesus teaches! Jesus unpacks what He means by the “abundant life” a few verses after John 10:10 saying: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them

My goal is to go to a place called Heaven, my road is narrow, my real companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, or turned back. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, or follow mediocrity. I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve stayed up for the cause of my Lord Jesus the Christ. I will continue teaching Scripture until He returns for me. And wh

I am a part of those who are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I have the Holy Spirit of God in me. The die has been cast. The course of action has been started and it cannot be stopped or changed! I have crossed the line. The choice has been made. I won’t look back, let up, back away, or be quiet! In Jesus, my past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with sight walking, prayerlessness, and mundane talking. I have no d