Passion, emotion and zeal will only help us to a certain point. Their fuel is fickle and often mixed with that which can hinder, hurt and hold us back. I’ve been there, what about you? My emotions and experiences used to be the basis for how I perceived my relationship with God and my “performance” … Continue reading The Foundation for Our Passion for Jesus
Disappointment is a common experience for us all. We will never escape feelings of disappointment in this earthly life. Disappointment can cause us to respond in both helpful and hurtful ways. For example, have you yourself--or do you know someone--who has experienced a disappointment that led them into a major shift in life or even … Continue reading Key Realizations for When We’re Disappointed with God
Psalm 91 is a beautiful psalm that is beloved by many for the promises it contains for believers in Christ. For this week’s Verse Study Series, let’s look at this cherished psalm. If you need a refresher on Psalm 91, I encourage you to read it before beginning with the article. We’ll only quote a … Continue reading A Beautiful Psalm: Psalm 91’s Promises for Believers (Verse Study Series)
On January 6, 2021, something beyond horrendous occurred at the Capitol in the United States. What happened was unthinkable, and it left me wondering if words even exist to describe the ugliness of it. It was chaos, it was violent, and it was wrong. Christ’s name and a truly biblical understanding of Christianity was maligned … Continue reading Believers in Crisis
Staying consistent in one’s devotional life can be a challenge for anyone. At times, we all struggle to remain focused and steadfast in a daily time of prayer and Bible study. Here are five quick tips to help you overcome distractions in prayer and Bible study. 1. Set a consistent and specific time and place. … Continue reading Five Tips to Overcome Distractions in Prayer and Bible Study
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (ESV) As we embark on this week’s Verse Study Series post, let’s find out what Romans 10:17 really means based on its context in the Bible. Let’s first look at the words “faith” and the phrase “the word of Christ.” The word … Continue reading Faith Comes by Hearing… What Does Romans 10:17 Really Mean? (Verse Study Series)
Today I want to share one of the most important tips for studying the Bible: reading and studying the Word in its proper context. We must seek God diligently and rightly. Studying His Word in context helps us to know His truth and walk out it as He meant for us to. Most of all, … Continue reading Why We Must Read the Bible in Proper Context (Bible Study Tips)
The Christian life is often filled with busyness. Activity after activity fills the calendars of churches and the agendas of our lives. More and more we gravitate toward doing, serving and doing some more. Even our times of prayer can veer off into busyness and distraction. Blinded by our many needs and requests, we may … Continue reading The Epidemic of Christian Busyness
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)
I recently decided to start two series on the IPFJ blog. Every other week you’ll find an article with either Bible Study Tips or a Verse Study. I hope to provide some tips to help you in studying God’s Word, and also look at verses in context with the aim to dismiss any wrong ways … Continue reading Busy Day? Keep Your Quiet Time Simple (Bible Study Tips)
What does it mean—really really mean—to bw born again? To some this question might seem elementary, but I think it is worth review because it has eternal significance. How do we define what it means to be born again? Even for those of us who claim to be born again, we must understand this clearly. And not … Continue reading What Does It *Really* Mean to Be Born Again?
Christian apps can help our spiritual life. Though it may seem like a stretch, this can be an incentive to spend more time with God, as well as praying or reading the Bible instead of browsing Facebook or the Internet. Installing apps related to our Christian faith is a good idea for those of us … Continue reading Seven Free Christian Apps for Your Walk with God
Last Updated: July 2, 2020 As people who have taken Christ's name (Christian), we will desire to know Him more. We will want to cultivate relationship with Him, learning how to live in a way that pleases Him. So how can we grow in our walk with God? First, it requires us to set aside … Continue reading Cultivating Relationship with God Through Spiritual Disciplines
Inspiring Passion for Jesus Christ 