Waiting on God can be one of the most difficult things for Christians. Even when we know that God’s timing is perfect and His plans are for our good, it’s still not easy to be patient when we want something now or don’t understand why God is allowing circumstantial hardships. The Bible has a lot to say about waiting on the Lord that can encourage and strengthen our faith when waiting seems unbearable. We Want Instant Gratification One major reason waiting is so hard is because we live in a culture of instant gratification. Technology, on-demand services, and constant stimulation…
Author: Matt Primack
Jesus instructs us to pray “lead us not into temptation” because he wants us to avoid falling into sin. As humans, we have a sinful nature and are prone to give in to temptation. Jesus knows the spiritual dangers we face and desires to protect us from stumbling. By praying this, we are asking God to guide us away from situations where we are likely to be tempted and to deliver us from the schemes of the devil. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches his disciples how they should pray. In Matthew 6:13 and Luke 11:4, he specifically includes the…
In the book of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite was one of Job’s three friends who came to comfort him after he had lost everything. However, instead of bringing comfort, Eliphaz accused Job of sin and exhorted him to repent. An analysis of Eliphaz’s speeches throughout the book of Job reveals key themes in his message to Job: Affliction as Discipline for Sin A core belief undergirding Eliphaz’s message was that affliction and suffering must be the result of some secret sin in a person’s life. Eliphaz insinuated that Job was being punished by God for unconfessed iniquity. For example, in…
Bildad the Shuhite was one of Job’s three friends who came to comfort him during his suffering as described in the Book of Job in the Bible. Bildad delivers three speeches throughout the book, all communicating a similar message – that Job must have sinned against God and should repent in order to be restored. In his first speech (Job 8), Bildad argues that Job’s children must have sinned against God and received their due punishment. He states that if Job were truly righteous and innocent, God would not have caused such calamity to fall upon him. Bildad urges Job…
Financial crises can cause immense stress and anxiety for many people. As Christians, how should we respond during difficult economic times? Here are some biblical principles to keep in mind: 1. Seek God First Our first reaction during financial turmoil may be to panic or try to fix everything ourselves. But Scripture reminds us to seek God first in all situations (Matthew 6:33). Bring your concerns and fears to the Lord in prayer. Ask for His peace, wisdom and provision. Trust that He knows your needs and cares for you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV): But seek first the kingdom of God…
The crown of thorns holds great symbolic meaning and significance in the Bible. This crown was placed on Jesus’ head as the Roman soldiers mocked and tortured him before his crucifixion (Matthew 27:29). The crown of thorns represents several important biblical themes. Pain and Suffering The crown of thorns was meant to cause Jesus immense pain and suffering. The long thorns would have pierced Jesus’ head, causing blood to flow down his face. This demonstrates how Jesus bore pain and suffering for the sake of humanity. Isaiah 53:3 prophesies that the Messiah would be “a man of sorrows and acquainted…
The Mandylion, also known as the Image of Edessa, is an ancient Christian relic which according to legend was a cloth bearing the miraculous image of Jesus Christ. The word “mandylion” comes from the Greek word mandylon meaning “handkerchief” or “towel.” The legend surrounding the Mandylion says that during Jesus’ ministry, King Abgar V of Edessa sent a messenger asking Jesus to come cure him of an illness. Jesus was unable to visit but is said to have wiped his face with a cloth which retained a miraculous image of his face. This cloth was then brought back to King…
The prophet Isaiah is one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. He authored the book of Isaiah, which contains prophecies about the coming Messiah and warnings to both Israel and Judah regarding their sin and need for repentance. Though Isaiah played an important role during his lifetime, the Bible tells us very little about his death. The book of Isaiah does not give any details about how, when, or where Isaiah died. The last chapter of Isaiah (chapter 66) contains prophecies about the new heavens and new earth, but does not mention Isaiah’s death. Beyond his book, the…
The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is an important Christian tradition commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples before his crucifixion. The Bible offers guidance on how this sacred meal is to be observed within the church. Here is a 9000 word overview of what the Bible teaches regarding who is authorized to oversee and administer the Lord’s Supper: The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ himself on the night he was betrayed (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-23). During the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and wine, blessed them, and gave…
The phrase “God, who is rich in mercy” in Ephesians 2:4 is a profound statement about the character and nature of God. It provides insight into who God is and how He relates to us. Let’s break down this verse and explore what it means that God is rich in mercy. The Context of Ephesians 2:4 Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” To fully understand this verse, we…