Praise and worship are vital aspects of the Christian life. Both involve expressing love, awe, and gratitude to God. However, there are some key differences between the two: Praise Praise is declaring who God is and thanking Him for what He has done. It is acknowledging and appreciating God’s character, works, and blessings. Praise focuses on God’s attributes and actions. For example, we can praise God for His: Goodness and mercy (Psalm 106:1) Righteousness and justice (Psalm 48:10) Majesty and power (Psalm 150:2) Holiness and worthiness (Revelation 4:11) Faithfulness and deliverance (Psalm 40:10) Grace and salvation (Ephesians 1:6) Praising God…
Author: Mike Solis
The phrase “carpe diem” is a Latin expression meaning “seize the day.” It encourages people to make the most of the present time and take advantage of current opportunities rather than putting things off for the future. On the surface, this philosophy seems reasonable – why not enjoy life and make the most of each day? However, a deeper look at Scripture reveals some important considerations for Christians regarding living by the carpe diem mentality. The brevity and uncertainty of life The Bible reminds us that life is short and uncertain. James 4:14 states that our lives are “a mist…
The question of whether the Bible contains prophecies about Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, is a complex and controversial one. There are a variety of perspectives on this issue among Christian and Muslim scholars. Some Muslims believe the Bible contains many prophecies about Muhammad, though these interpretations are not widely accepted by biblical scholars. Here are some of the main claims made about alleged Biblical prophecies concerning Muhammad: Deuteronomy 18:15-18 is interpreted by some as predicting a later prophet like Moses who would arise from among the “brethren” of the Israelites. Muslims view Ishmael, ancestor of Muhammad, as the “brethren”…
Lovingkindness is a central theme throughout the Bible that describes God’s steadfast, faithful, sustaining love for His people. It is rooted in covenant relationship and reveals God’s gracious, compassionate character. The Hebrew word used most often for lovingkindness is “hesed” and the Greek word is “agape.” Here is an overview of the biblical foundation for understanding lovingkindness. Old Testament Teaching on Lovingkindness In the Old Testament, “hesed” occurs over 200 times and is translated as lovingkindness, mercy, steadfast love, goodness, faithfulness, etc. It conveys unwavering commitment, loyalty, and faithful covenant love. Hesed love has action and moves toward those in…
James 1:17 states that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” This verse provides rich insight into the nature and character of God. Let’s explore what it means that God is the “Father of lights.” God is the Creator and Source of Light In calling God the “Father of lights,” James is likely drawing on Genesis 1 where God created light on the first day of creation. As the Creator of all things, God is the original source of…
Watching and praying are key Christian spiritual disciplines emphasized numerous times in Scripture. To “watch and pray” means to be spiritually alert, aware of what’s happening around us, and consistently committed to prayer. This allows us to resist temptation, walk closely with God, and align our lives to His will. The most direct biblical passage on watching and praying is Matthew 26:41, where Jesus told His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He wanted them to be spiritually vigilant through…
Attending multiple churches is a practice that some Christians engage in for various reasons. While there may be valid circumstances where this occurs, generally speaking, the Bible promotes commitment to and regular participation in one’s local church community. This article will explore what the Bible teaches about church membership and involvement that can inform our views on attending multiple congregations. The Local Church in Scripture The New Testament presents local churches as identifiable communities of believers who gathered regularly in specific locations. For example, Paul addresses his letter “To the church of God in Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2) and “To…
The issue of abortion is one that evokes strong emotions and opinions from both sides of the debate. For Christians, it also brings up questions about what the Bible says on the matter and whether it’s possible to be both pro-choice and a faithful Christian. This article will examine the biblical evidence pertaining to the beginning of life and the value of the unborn. It will look at common arguments made on both sides of the abortion debate. And it will discuss whether the Bible leaves room for a pro-choice perspective or if Christians are called to be pro-life. This…
The Temple Mount, known as Haram esh-Sharif in Arabic and Har HaBayit in Hebrew, is one of the most religiously and politically significant sites in Jerusalem. Located in the Old City, it is a hilltop plateau containing the ruins of the ancient Jewish Temples as well as the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, two of the holiest sites in Islam. For Jews, the Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism. It is where the first and second Jewish Temples once stood and where many Jewish traditions believe the Third Temple will one day be rebuilt. According to…
The Bible does not explicitly address the modern concept of “quality of life” in end-of-life decision making. However, there are some principles from Scripture that can provide guidance for Christians thinking through these difficult issues. The sanctity of human life The Bible affirms the sanctity and value of human life as created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). Human life is precious to God at all stages and in all conditions. This implies that we should not make end-of-life decisions based solely on perceptions of “quality.” Every life has dignity and worth. Genesis 1:26-27 – Then God said, “Let us make…