Prayer is an integral part of the Christian life. Through prayer, we communicate with God, bringing our cares, concerns, thanksgiving, and requests before Him. The book of Philippians provides important guidance on prayer, specifically in chapter 4 verse 6 which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” This verse encourages believers to bring their requests to God in prayer. But why is this important? Why should we let our requests be known to God? God Cares About Our Needs One key reason we…
Author: Erin Weitzman
The song “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands” first appears in 1 Samuel 21:11. This short verse provides insight into Saul’s jealousy of David’s military successes and foreshadows the conflict that will arise between the two. Here is a 9000 word examination of the significance of this important verse: Context of 1 Samuel 21:11 The book of 1 Samuel records the transition of leadership in Israel from the judges and prophet Samuel to the first kings, Saul and David. Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel in 1 Samuel 10. However, Saul disobeyed…
An evangelical church is a Christian church that places special emphasis on the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word euangelion meaning “gospel” or “good news.” Evangelical churches focus on spreading the gospel message and calling people to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There are several key characteristics that define an evangelical church: Biblical Authority – Evangelicals believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out…
Snakes are mentioned many times throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. They play various symbolic and literal roles in biblical stories. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical passages involving snakes: The Serpent in the Garden of Eden In Genesis 3, a serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This serpent is often identified as Satan in disguise who deceives Eve into disobeying God’s command. After eating the fruit, Adam and Eve’s eyes are opened and they realize they are naked. As punishment, God curses the…
Hope is an essential part of the Christian faith. The Bible has a lot to say about hope and provides Christians with a foundation for hoping in God even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Here is an overview of the biblical definition of hope and what the Bible teaches about living in hope. Hope is Expecting and Believing At its most basic, biblical hope means to expect and believe. The Hebrew word translated “hope” in the Old Testament means to wait for, look for, or expect. The New Testament Greek word for hope means expectation as well. Hope is…
In Matthew 5:48, Jesus tells his followers, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This verse comes at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he challenges his followers to live according to a higher standard of righteousness. But what does it mean to “be perfect” and why does Jesus call us to strive for perfection like God? First, we must understand that “perfect” here does not mean “flawless” or “sinless.” Only God is free from all defects and imperfections. The Greek word translated “perfect” is teleios, which means “complete, mature, fully developed.” When…
Conducting oneself in a manner worthy of the gospel is a concept that the apostle Paul emphasizes in Philippians 1:27. In this verse, Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi to live their lives in a way that is consistent with and honors the gospel message they have received. The gospel, meaning the “good news” of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, should be the guiding principle for how Christians think, speak, and act. So what exactly does it look to live a life worthy of the gospel? 1. Living in unity and harmony with other believers One key aspect of…
The Bible has a lot to say about embarrassment and being humiliated. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles related to this topic: Embarrassment Comes from Pride Many times, embarrassment is the result of pride. We care so much about our reputation and what others think of us that when something happens to tarnish our image, we feel deeply ashamed. However, the Bible warns against having too much pride and caring too much about man’s opinion over God’s. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (Proverbs 29:25) “The proud shall…
Sackcloth and ashes were symbols of mourning, repentance, and humility in ancient Israel and other ancient Near Eastern cultures. Here is an overview of the biblical meaning and significance of sackcloth and ashes. Sackcloth Sackcloth was a coarse, rough fabric made of black goat’s hair. It was thick and uncomfortable when worn next to the skin. Sackcloth garments symbolized mourning, grief, distress, and humility. Wearing sackcloth and putting ashes on one’s head was an outward sign of inner repentance and mourning for sin (Psalm 35:13, Jeremiah 6:26). There are many examples in the Bible where people wore sackcloth as an…
Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. As the Son of God, Jesus came to earth to teach people about God’s love and redeem humankind from sin. Here are some of the core elements of Jesus’ teaching according to the Bible: Love God and Love Your Neighbor The most fundamental teaching of Jesus is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). This underscores putting God first and loving other people selflessly. Jesus…
