Exams and tests can cause significant anxiety for many people. Feeling nervous or worried before an important exam is normal, but for some, test anxiety can be truly debilitating. Symptoms of test anxiety can range from mild (feeling slightly stressed) to severe (panic attacks, inability to concentrate). So what does the Bible say about overcoming anxiety, specifically related to exams and testing? Here are some key principles from Scripture that can help. 1. Recognize that anxiety comes from within, not from God. The Bible tells us that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love…
Author: Tim Collings
King David is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible. He started out as a shepherd boy before rising to become the King of Israel. David was known as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) but he also committed some grave sins during his lifetime, including adultery and murder. One aspect of David’s life that often raises questions is the number of wives he had. Based on accounts in the Bible, it appears David had at least 8 wives that are named during his reign as king. However, he likely had more wives than what…
Abuse is a tragic reality that many face in their lives. The Bible speaks to this issue and offers perspective, warning, comfort, and hope. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that address abuse: Genesis 16:1-6 – Sarah and Hagar This passage describes Sarah abusing her servant Hagar after becoming jealous that Hagar conceived a child with Abraham. Sarah dealt harshly with Hagar until Hagar fled into the wilderness. This illustrates how those in positions of power can abuse those under their authority. Exodus 21:20-21, 26-27 – Laws about slave abuse These verses restricted masters from fatally beating…
The Bible has a lot to say about safety and being protected from harm. Here are some of the key themes that emerge in Scripture regarding safety: Trusting in God’s Protection One of the most frequent messages in the Bible is that those who trust in God can rely on Him for protection and safety. Verses like Psalm 121:7-8 declare that “the Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Throughout the Psalms, believers are encouraged to call out to God…
The New King James Version (NKJV) is a modern English translation of the Bible published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson. It took a total of 7 years to complete. The New Testament was published in 1979, while the full Bible was published in 1982. The NKJV follows the same principles of translation used for the original King James Version (KJV) published in 1611, while also incorporating more modern English. The main purpose of the NKJV was to update the language of the KJV while preserving the original meaning and literary beauty. The KJV used early modern English vocabulary and grammar…
The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is an English translation of the Bible published in 1971 by the Lockman Foundation. The NASB originated from a desire to update the American Standard Version (ASV) published in 1901 into more modern English. The ASV was a revision of the King James Version (KJV) published in 1611. The NASB is considered one of the most literal and accurate English translations of the Bible. The translation team sought to provide a literal word-for-word translation as much as possible while maintaining clear understandable English. The translators adhered to the following translation principles: Seek to translate…
Centering prayer is a contemplative Christian practice that aims to deepen one’s relationship with God. It involves quieting the mind and resting in God’s presence. Centering prayer has its roots in ancient Christian monastic traditions and was popularized in the 1970s by Trappist monks William Meninger, Basil Pennington and Thomas Keating. The goal of centering prayer is to move beyond conversation with God to communion with God. It involves silencing our thoughts and words to enter into contemplative stillness before God. This allows us to be fully open and attentive to God’s presence within us. Centering prayer is based on…
The books of 1 and 2 Maccabees are part of the Deuterocanonical books found in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. They detail the history between the Old and New Testaments, focusing on the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Here is a more in-depth overview of these two books: 1 Maccabees 1 Maccabees covers the events between 175-134 BC, focusing on the Jewish struggle for independence from the Seleucid Empire. It begins with Antiochus IV’s plundering of the Temple in Jerusalem and imposition of Hellenistic practices that outlawed Jewish rituals. This sparked the Maccabean Revolt led by the priest Mattathias and…
The rooster is a symbol that appears several times throughout the Bible. Here is an overview of the symbolic meaning and significance of the rooster in Christianity: 1. The Rooster’s Crow as a Call to Repentance The most well-known biblical passage involving a rooster is when Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows (Matthew 26:34, Mark 14:30, Luke 22:34, John 13:38). After Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, a rooster crows, triggering Peter to remember Jesus’ words and repent (Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:72, Luke 22:61, John 18:27). This story illustrates the rooster’s crow as…
The book of Daniel in the Old Testament contains several references to satraps during the time of Babylonian and Persian rule over the kingdom of Judah. Daniel and his companions served as advisors to the kings of Babylon and Persia, and interacted with various satraps appointed to oversee Judah and other conquered territories. Here is an overview of the satraps mentioned in the book of Daniel: Babylonian Satraps Arioch, chief of the king’s executioners In Daniel 2, Arioch is described as the chief executioner under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. When the king decrees that all the wise men should be…