When we spend time with God, sometimes it seems so easy to get distracted. Other times, we feel like we just don’t know where to start. That’s where this next Bible study tip will help—if you apply it of course! 🙂 This week’s Bible study tip is about why we should choose a Bible reading … Continue reading Bible Study Tips: Why You Need a Scripture Reading Plan
In our walk with God, we will experience conviction from God when we sin as He lovingly leads us. However, we may also experience condemnation, which—for believers—does not come from God. Conviction and condemnation are sometimes difficult to differentiate. When we mistake condemnation for conviction, it can cause discouragement, shame and guilt to hinder our … Continue reading Is This Conviction or Is It Condemnation?
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”Philippians 4:13 (ESV) Philippians 4:13 is a beloved verse for many believers. We see this Scripture on T-shirts and faith-related decor. We see it on framed art, bookmarks and Bible covers. However, though this verse may be well known and often quoted, it is often pulled … Continue reading Secret Strength: The True Meaning of Philippians 4:13 (Verse Study Series)
Have you ever heard of the app Evernote? Evernote is an app for capturing notes and ideas in print, voice and pictures, while keeping them organized and searchable. Evernote is an app that can supercharge your Bible study time! I've used Evernote for several years--ever since purchasing my own laptop in my college days. Back … Continue reading Using Evernote to Supercharge Your Bible Study Time (Bible Study Tips)
Prophetic Masquerade: Learn to Use the Word of God to Unmask the Wolves Among the Sheep is a book written by Kevin Kleint. This resourceful book uses God's Word to help us discern between true and false teachers/prophets and their messages. I have written about this topic before, highlighting a key element mentioned in the … Continue reading Prophetic Masquerade: Using God’s Word to Discern True and False Teaching (Book Review)
As a Christian, have you ever wondered if or when it's okay to practice self-care? Maybe you've asked: Is it selfish or sinful to practice self-care?Where is self-care in the Bible?How can I practice self-care as a Christian? Click the links above to skip down to a particular self-care section. Otherwise, let's start with the … Continue reading When Is Self-Care Okay for Christians?
This is the first post in the Monday Verse Study series. Today we’re going to look at Ephesians 4:1-3. The letter to the Ephesians is a favorite of many believers. Written in approximately 60 A.D., Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus while imprisoned for the Gospel in Rome. His aim was to strengthen them … Continue reading What Does It Mean to Walk Worthy of the Lord? (Verse Study)
“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and … Continue reading Making Christ Known by Our Love in Action
Burnout. Ever been there? I have, this past season in fact. None of us are immune to experiencing burnout. It can catch us off guard, knock us off our feet and steal our joy. It's important to deal with it when it comes. Even more so, it'd be better if we can learn to avoid … Continue reading What To Do When You’re Experiencing Burnout
I recently decided to start two series on the IPFJ blog. Every other Monday you’ll find an article with either Bible Study Tips or a Verse Study. That said, let’s move on to this Monday’s post: Bible study tips for your quiet time on busy days. No More Guilt Don’t feel guilty if you don’t … Continue reading Busy Day? Keep Your Quiet Time Simple (Bible Study Tips)
Like me, have you ever struggled with putting feeling over faith, over simply choosing to trust God and obey? Do you ever find yourself forgetting the truth of God’s Word in those moments, especially when times are hard or God seems absent? It isn’t easy, balancing our feelings along with our faith. God certainly made … Continue reading Faith Not Feelings: Letting God’s Word Define Us
How should we respond to injustice and issues facing our world? Speaking and taking action hastily can be harmful. Instead we want to seek God first for His solutions which are better than ours. We want to take action and speak as He leads. In our current world scenario of pandemic, pain and protest, in … Continue reading Before Responding to Injustice: First, Seek God
Last Updated: July 23, 2020 Have you ever heard the saying, ”fear is the opposite of faith?” It’s very commonly taught, but believe it or not, it’s not exactly true. Why is that? First we must define faith and fear to determine whether they are opposite each other or even in the same category. Defining … Continue reading Fear Is Not the Opposite of Faith
To the one who deals with anxiety: Though you feel fearful or anxious, do not beat yourself up. Don't condemn yourself. Feeling a certain emotion does not mean you have committed sin. Anxiety is not a sin. By itself, an emotion we feel is is not a sin. Feelings arise in us, often outside of … Continue reading Encouragement for the Anxious: Your Emotions Are Not Sin
To some this might seem elementary, but I think it is worth review. What does it really mean to be born again? Even for those of us who claim to be born again, we must know how to define it clearly. If not for ourselves, then we must know for the sake of those who might ask. … Continue reading What Does It *Really* Mean to Be Born Again?
