Standing firm in the faith is an important concept in Christianity. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” This verse encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, remain steadfast in doing good works, and remember that their efforts in the Lord are not wasted. To truly understand what it means to “stand firm”, we must first look at the context of 1 Corinthians 15. In this chapter, Paul is addressing questions about the resurrection of the…
Author: Erin Weitzman
Jesus’ statement that “the harvest is plentiful” in Matthew 9:37 is rich with meaning. At a basic level, Jesus was observing that there were many people ready to hear and respond to the good news of the kingdom of God. The “harvest” represents people’s hearts and their openness to the gospel message. To unpack the meaning further, we need to look at the context of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 9. In verses 35-38, we find Jesus traveling through the towns and villages teaching, preaching, and healing. He had compassion on the crowds who were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without…
What is God’s plan for my life? Discovering God’s plan for your life is an exciting journey. As Christians, we believe that God has a purpose and calling for each of His children. Though we may not know every detail, the Bible gives us insight into how we can seek and understand His will. God’s Plans Are For Our Good The first truth we must grasp is that God’s plans for us are good. As Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give…
The phrase “kingdom of darkness” appears in Colossians 1:13 which says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” This verse refers to the spiritual transformation that happens when someone becomes a Christian – they leave behind the kingdom of darkness ruled by Satan, and enter the kingdom of light ruled by Jesus Christ. To fully understand this verse, we need to examine some key questions: What is meant by “domain of darkness”? The “domain of darkness” refers to the realm that is under Satan’s dominion and influence. Several…
In the ancient Middle Eastern culture, placing one’s hand under another’s thigh while making an oath was a solemn act symbolizing the seriousness and sacredness of the oath. This practice is mentioned a few times in the Old Testament, including in Genesis 24 when Abraham’s servant places his hand under Abraham’s thigh while swearing to find a wife for Isaac. There are a few reasons this thigh ritual developed: The thigh was seen as symbolic of one’s progeny and future generations. By placing a hand under the thigh, one was essentially swearing an oath that would impact their descendants. This…
Genesis 5:29 states, “And he called his name Noah, saying, ‘This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground that the Lord has cursed.’” This verse comes in the midst of the genealogy from Adam to Noah, and provides some insight into why Lamech chose the name “Noah” for his son. There are a few key things to point out from this verse: 1. Context of the Ground Being Cursed Earlier, in Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the ground saying “Cursed is the ground because of you;…
Psalm 24 is a psalm written by King David that expresses truths about God’s sovereignty, the character of those who may ascend into His presence, and the identity of the triumphal King of glory. In verse 7 of this psalm, there is an exhortation to “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” This verse comes within a section proclaiming the identity and attributes of God, so what does it mean for us to “lift up our heads”? Let’s explore this passage further. Context of Psalm 24…
Charles Stanley was an influential American pastor, preacher, author, and founder of In Touch Ministries. He served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia for over 40 years, leading the church to significant growth under his leadership. Stanley was widely known for his biblical teaching through books, radio, and TV broadcasts. Charles Frazier Stanley was born on September 25, 1932 in Dry Fork, Virginia. He grew up in rural Virginia during the Great Depression. Stanley’s father died when he was just 9 months old, and he was raised by his mother. She worked hard to provide for…
The verse in Matthew 10:28 reads, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” This is an important verse that teaches an essential truth – that we should fear God rather than men. In the broader context of Matthew 10, Jesus is sending out his twelve disciples to preach the gospel, warning them that they will face persecution and opposition. People will arrest, flog, and even kill them. So Jesus tells them, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot…
Marriage is a sacred union ordained by God between a man and a woman. The Bible provides valuable insights into God’s design for marriage and how spouses should relate to one another. Here is an overview of key biblical principles regarding marriage: Marriage Was Instituted By God The Bible teaches that marriage was established by God at creation, before the fall of man. God designed marriage and instituted it as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-24). Marriage is meant to be an earthly representation of Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Therefore, marriage is…
