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?
Last Updated: August 3, 2020 In these last few months, as a pandemic ravages the people in every nation, we must beware of distractions that harm our relationship with God, keeping us from the simplicity of devotion to Christ. Many things abound in this world to steal our attention away from what truly matters. Fears … Continue reading Beware of Distractions: Simple Devotion to Christ
Many of us are troubled, unsettled and even anxious right now. I too have felt the same at times. Amid the rumors of wars, plaques and more, our world is not an enjoyable place to be. Panic and unknowns abounding, our world is a no blissful place in its sin-laden, fallen state. In that, I … Continue reading Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
An excellent new book is available for Christian women: Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World by Phylicia Masonheimer. Phylicia has a passion for theology ("the study of God") and helping women grow in knowing God and the Bible. The book’s subtitle speaks to the need of Christian women for something more. Female believers … Continue reading Stop Calling Me Beautiful (Book Review)
It's important to know God's Word and the messages we allow to influence us. Even when someone seems genuine or convincing in what they preach or share, their message may not be in agreement with God and the Gospel. As we take in numerous messages daily, what are they leading us toward--self or Christ? It's … Continue reading Discerning True from False in the Messages Influencing Us
Relief from overwhelm, freedom from stress, the end of burn out, the elimination of hurry. Does that sound like something you need? John Mark Comer has written detailing how we need to overcome hurry in our lives and how to start the process. His book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is rightly subtitled, How to … Continue reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (Book Review)
