Category Archives: testing and trials

Temptation and the Christian

The content explores the Christian perspective on temptation, drawing insights from James 1:12-15. It emphasizes the importance of patience, clarifies that God is not the source of temptation, explains the power of temptation rooted in lust, and warns of the consequences of yielding to temptation. Ultimately, it urges believers to resist temptation and uphold their faith.

Learning to Trust the Lord More

To trust the Lord more is to swim in uncertainty with faith as a lifeline. Cultivate an intimate, active relationship with God through prayer and Scripture. For young believers, patience and small acts of faith build trust; for older believers, reflection on past faithfulness is key. Understanding the Hebrew and Greek roots of “trust” enhances our confidence in God. Trust is our response to God’s proven reliability and requires surrender to His mysterious ways. Our trust in God is unwavering and empowers us to accomplish great things for His kingdom. Trust in God grows through experiencing His faithfulness.

What Is the Testing of Faith?

The content discusses the concept of testing and trials in the Christian faith, emphasizing the idea that God tests the righteous to strengthen their faith and character. It highlights the importance of steadfastness, seeking wisdom from God, and enduring trials with trust in His sovereignty. Additionally, it addresses the distinction between God’s testing and tempting, and emphasizes that all good comes from God. The author shares personal experiences, expressing faith in God’s will despite physical challenges.

Out of the Fire Comes Steel

Peter Waddup, Chief Executive of The Leprosy Mission, shares his experiences accompanying colleagues in Asia and Africa. Despite facing natural disasters, including wildfires near Anandaban Hospital in Nepal, the team remained dedicated to patient safety. Waddup admires their resilience and unwavering commitment to their work, showcasing their strength in adversity.

Don’t Apologize

As a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, I help prepare students to answer tough questions raised against the Christian faith. One day someone from outside the Biola academic community called our university to ask why we offer classes on apologizing for the faith. She thought apologetics meant teaching students to say they were sorry forContinue reading “Don’t Apologize”

Navigating Tomorrow’s Ethos with Luke 21:25-26

Shaping Worldviews and Guiding Choices in Uncertain Times In a world brimming with uncertainty and change, the profound words of Luke 21:25-26 offer more than just a prophetic glimpse into the future; they provide foundational stones for constructing a resilient and ethical worldview. This passage, with its vivid depiction of cosmic upheavals and earthly distress,Continue reading “Navigating Tomorrow’s Ethos with Luke 21:25-26”

Crushed to Victory

Trusting others presents massive challenges in our fallen world. Everyone has been corrupted by sin, and therefore fails to be fully faithful or trustworthy. As Proverbs 20:6 says, “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?” While humans prove to be both distrustful and untrustworthy, God presents Himself asContinue reading “Crushed to Victory”

How to Give Something Over to God

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV “I lift my worries up to you because you care for me.” I pen those words in my prayer journal daily.Continue reading “How to Give Something Over to God”

When You Are Disappointed

Whether it be the health of someone we love, provision, or deliverance from a situation, we would all like to be assured that when we pray our prayers will be answered, especially when it’s something we genuinely desire. It’s not easy handling disappointments. When things don’t go in the manner we desire at times itContinue reading “When You Are Disappointed”