Anxiety is a common human experience. According to the American Psychological Association, over 40 million American adults suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder. Feelings of worry, fear, nervousness, and apprehension are things most people confront at some point in their lives. For those who suffer from excessive anxiety or clinical anxiety disorders, these feelings can be overwhelming and debilitating. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 18.1% of the population every year. Symptoms of anxiety can include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. In the…
Author: Aaron Chin
The story of Joseph and Potiphar is an important one in the Bible that teaches valuable lessons about integrity, sexual sin, false accusations, forgiveness, and trusting in God. Here is an overview of the key events in Joseph’s life that relate to his time spent serving in Potiphar’s household: Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard (Genesis 37:36). God blessed Joseph and he found favor with Potiphar, who put Joseph in charge of his entire household (Genesis…
In Genesis 3:22, after Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil.” This statement provides insight into why it was wrong for Adam and Eve to gain this knowledge prematurely. Here are several reasons why it was wrong for Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and gain knowledge of good and evil: It was direct disobedience to God’s clear command. God had told Adam “you may surely eat of every tree of…
Understanding the nature of God is fundamental to the Christian faith. Here are some of the most important things the Bible teaches us about who God is: God is eternal God has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). He exists outside of time and space. God is all-powerful God is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17). Nothing is too difficult for Him and no one can thwart His plans (Job 42:2). He spoke the universe into existence. God is all-knowing God is omniscient, meaning He knows…
The phrase “weapons of our warfare are not carnal” comes from 2 Corinthians 10:4 in the Bible, which states: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” This verse has profound meaning for Christians, especially in spiritual warfare against evil. The key to understanding this verse is the contrast between “carnal” weapons and spiritual weapons empowered by God. Carnal weapons are human-made weapons like swords, spears, guns, bombs, etc. These weapons rely on human strength and ability. The “weapons of our warfare” Paul refers to are not these…
What does it mean that God will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)? The verse in Psalm 37:4 states “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This is a popular verse that many Christians take to mean that if they love God and follow Him, He will give them whatever their heart desires. However, there is more nuance and depth to this verse than may appear on the surface. Let’s take a deeper look at what it really means. The Context of Psalm 37 First, it is important to…
Piety is defined in the Bible as reverence and devotion to God. It involves living a God-centered life and striving to please Him in all things. The Bible has much to say about what it means to be pious and how Christians should live piously. According to the book of Job, piety means shunning evil and remaining blameless before God (Job 1:1). Job was called a blameless and upright man who feared God and turned away from evil. His life demonstrated unwavering devotion to God even in the midst of extreme suffering and loss. The psalms also link piety to…
Mission drift refers to the phenomenon where an organization gradually shifts away from its original mission, vision, and objectives. It happens when an organization expands its activities and programs unrelated to its founding goals, often in an effort to access more funding and resources. While some expansion is natural for growth, uncontrolled mission drift can compromise the identity and impact of an organization. In the Christian context, mission drift particularly applies to churches, ministries, and faith-based nonprofits. It occurs when they subtly move away from their biblical foundations and purposes. There are various interrelated factors that contribute to mission drift…
Headline exegesis refers to the practice of analyzing and interpreting headlines and titles in order to understand their deeper meaning and significance. The term “exegesis” comes from the Greek word meaning “to lead out of” and is commonly used in theology and biblical studies for the critical interpretation of scripture. Applying exegetical methods to headlines can reveal useful insights into how information is being framed and presented to readers. Some key aspects of headline exegesis include: Examining word choice – What specific words are used in the headline and why were those specific words selected? Different word choices evoke different…
The realm of the Spirit refers to the supernatural dimension where God’s Spirit dwells and operates. The Bible speaks of the realm of the Spirit in contrast to the physical, earthly realm. Romans 8:9 says, “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.” This verse indicates that believers have access to the realm of the Spirit through God’s indwelling presence. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. The Spirit opens our eyes to spiritual realities that…