Inspirational

We may face difficulties and challenges as Christians, but we must persevere and remain resilient. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of persistence and resilience in the Christian life. The Temptation to Quit: 1 Corinthians 9 vs 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. When we encounter difficult situations, we may feel overwhelmed or disheartened. These obstacles may manifest as addiction, self-doubt, or disillusionment, but they also present an opportunity for growth and transformation. We can use these challenges to better ourselves. When we face difficulties, we can choose to see them as opportunities for growth. We can use them to develop new skills, strengths, and perspectives. As a result, we can discover hidden inner strength and resilience we never knew we had. These challenges help us grow and transform in ways we never thought possible. Instead of giving up, let’s embrace these tests and use them to improve ourselves. The Power of Perseverance:  Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Perseverance is a mindset that helps us navigate life’s difficulties with grace and resilience. It allows us to keep going even when faced with obstacles or uncertainty. Perseverance is key to achieving our goals because it requires discipline and self-control. Through perseverance, we can push through difficult times and overcome the urge to quit, becoming better versions of ourselves. Perseverance is a virtue that goes beyond just willpower. It’s staying true to our values and beliefs, even when faced with challenges. It helps us grow spiritually, find purpose and meaning in our struggles, and trust in a higher power.  To persevere, we need patience and resilience. We should remain steadfast in our convictions and learn to weather the storms of life with dignity. With perseverance, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles and achieve our goals. Dealing with Addictions: 2 Corinthians 12: 7 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Whether it’s substance abuse, compulsive behaviors, porn, or unhealthy thinking patterns, overcoming addiction requires a steadfast commitment to getting better and leaning on God’s power. To fully recover, you must seek help from people you trust, like family and professionals. You also need to be disciplined with yourself and let God’s transformative power guide you. It is a process that can be difficult and trying, but with perseverance and faith, it is possible to break free from addiction’s grip. It is important to remember that addiction recovery is a journey that requires patience and dedication, but with God’s help and the support of those around you, it is possible to achieve lasting healing and freedom from addiction. When the Christian Life Seems Unrewarding: As a Christian, you may experience moments of feeling stuck in your spiritual journey, despite your best efforts. It can feel like your prayers are not being answered, blessings are few, and you’re not growing. These moments can be particularly difficult, and it’s normal to question the significance of your faith and consider giving up. However, it’s important to remember that perseverance is key, and that God is always working, even during the darkest moments. Our faith is often strengthened during difficult times. These seasons of dryness and desolation test our perseverance and deepen our dependence on God. So, even when things may seem hopeless, remember that God is with you and that you are growing stronger every day. Finding Strength in God’s Promises: In life, we all face various challenges that sometimes make us feel like giving up. However, the key to perseverance lies in anchoring ourselves to God’s promises. The Bible reassures us that God is faithful, and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). This means that no matter what we are going through, we can always count on God’s presence and support in our lives. When we feel like giving up, we can find strength and encouragement in His Word. The Bible is full of promises and uplifting messages that can help us stay motivated and persevere through difficult times. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God’s plans for us are for good and not for harm, to give us a future and hope. This means that even when things seem bleak, we can trust that God has a plan for our lives and that everything will work out for our good in the end. Therefore, by anchoring ourselves to God’s promises and finding strength in His Word, we can persevere through any difficulty and come out stronger on the other side. Conclusion: In the Christian journey, we cannot give up. Although we may face challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt, we must persevere and trust in God’s unfailing love and providence. By embracing resilience, leaning on God’s strength, and holding fast to our faith, we can overcome any obstacle and emerge stronger, wiser, and more deeply rooted in Christ. As we persist in doing good, let us remember the words of the apostle Paul: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

“Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven” is a captivating Christian movie that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. It is adapted from John Bunyan’s classic novel. The allegorical tale follows the journey of a Christian pilgrim named Christian. He embarks on a perilous quest toward the Celestial City. Throughout his adventure, Christian faces many trials. He meets both friends and foes and learns valuable lessons. They resonate with the essence of Christian living. In this article, we will explore five profound life lessons that Christians can derive from this inspiring movie. The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress First, let’s summarize “Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven.” The story follows Christian, who carries the weight of his sins. He seeks salvation and eternal life in the Celestial City. Along the way, he faces many challenges and temptations. These include spiritual and physical dangers. However, his strong faith and determination help him. They guide him towards his goal. Lesson 1: The Journey of Faith  Embracing the path of faith The journey starts with faith, key for any Christian. The movie stresses trusting in God, even when unsure. For instance, Christian is misled by Mr. Worldly Wiseman. Then, the Evangelist tells him that faith in God can remove his burden. Believers are urged to step out in faith, heed God’s call, and trust His guidance. Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Overcoming obstacles with faith Throughout his expedition, Christian faces daunting challenges that test his faith. From the Slough of Despond to the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he encounters obstacles that may have led him to despair. But, his strong faith helps him to overcome each hurdle. It reminds us that with faith, we can conquer any trial. Isaiah 41: 13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Lesson 2: The Power of Perseverance Never give up on the journey Christian’s journey is not without moments of doubt and weariness. Yet, he persists in his quest, demonstrating the power of perseverance. We see this when Christian and Hopeful are tempted to give up when they are caught by Giant Despair. Christian wanted to quit but Hopeful encouraged him to keep going. As Christians, we are encouraged to endure life’s trials. We do this knowing that God’s grace and love can carry us through hard times.  2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Enduring trials and tribulations Christian’s path is fraught with dangers, mirroring the challenges we face in our lives. His determination to reach the Celestial City shows the strength we can find in God. We find it when navigating life’s storms. In his journey, Christian at some point had to fight the demon Apollyon to escape from the City of Destruction. By persevering, we learn valuable lessons. We grow spiritually. We become more resilient.  Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and, having done all, to stand. Lesson 3: The Importance of Friendship Building strong bonds on the journey Along his expedition, Christian encounters fellow travelers who become his friends and companions. In the movie, Christian meets Faithful and Hopeful. Faithful dies for his testimony of Christ and Hopeful helps Christian escape from the city of Vanity Fair. This illustrates the significance of forming strong bonds with fellow believers. In our Christian walk, friendships can give support, encouragement, and accountability. They make the journey better.  Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Supporting each other through challenges Christian’s friends stand by his side during trials, offering comfort and aid when needed. When Giant Despair offered an easy way out (suicide), Hopeful encouraged Christian to remain faithful and trust in God. Similarly, we are called to uplift and support one another in times of difficulty. Christian’s friendship with his companions highlights the importance of community in Christ’s body. It also shows His presence in our lives.  1 Thessalonians 5: 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Lesson 4: Learning from Mistakes Acknowledging errors and seeking redemption Throughout the movie, Christian makes mistakes and faces the consequences of his actions. Yet, he admits his faults. He seeks redemption through repentance. He says, “I follow Christ.” When Evangelist approaches, he finds Christian listening to Mr. Worldly Wiseman. Christian acknowledges his errors and repents. The film reminds us that as imperfect beings, we will stumble, but through God’s grace, we can find forgiveness and restoration.  1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Growing through repentance Christian’s willingness to learn from his errors allows him to grow spiritually on his journey. Jesus is with me, guiding and encouraging me through every step. After being corrected by the Evangelist, Christian got back on the path that eventually led him to Salvation. Likewise, when we recognize our wrongdoings and turn away from them, we open ourselves to God’s transformative work in our lives.  2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and will pray and will seek my face and will turn from their evil ways, then I myself shall hear from the heavens and will forgive their sins and heal their land. Lesson 5: The Reward of Eternal Life Reaching the Celestial City After a tough journey, Christian finally reaches the Celestial City. It’s an allegory for eternal life with God. As I am a Christian, this aspect of the movie emphasizes the ultimate reward for a life

As humans, we constantly seek wisdom and guidance to help us navigate life’s challenges. The Bible contains a wealth of wisdom and insights to assist us in our journey. Here are the 7 top Bible life lessons that will transform your life. No matter who you are, these lessons are useful to anyone, regardless of your religious affiliation. 1. The Power of Forgiveness Forgiveness is one of the most powerful lessons in the Bible. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus replied, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Forgiveness is not only a commandment but also a gift we give ourselves. Forgiveness releases anger and resentment, resulting in joy and freedom. 2. The Importance of Humility The Bible teaches us that humility is a virtue that we should cultivate in our lives. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” When we practice humility, we become more open to learning from others and appreciating their perspectives. It also helps us to be more compassionate and kind towards others. 3. The Value of Perseverance Perseverance is an essential lesson in the Bible. James 1:2-4 tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Perseverance builds resilience and strength, which are necessary for navigating through life. 4. The Importance of Faith Faith is a central theme in the Bible. There is no relationship with God without faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” When we have faith, we can trust in God’s plan for our lives and have hope for the future. Faith gives us the strength to overcome fear and uncertainty and equips us with a sense of purpose and meaning in life. 5. The Power of Love The Christian journey begins and ends with love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son” John 3:16. 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Love is not only an emotion but also an action. When we love others, we put their needs above our own and show kindness, patience, and compassion. Love has the power to transform our relationships and our world. 6. The Importance of Wisdom The Bible teaches us that wisdom is a valuable asset to have. You can not do what you do not know. Proverbs 4:7 tells us, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Wisdom helps us navigate life’s challenges more effectively. It also helps us to understand God’s plan for our lives and discern what is righteous and just. To gain wisdom, all you have to do is to ask God who gives without finding fault James 1:5. 7. Trust in God Our faith in God is based on the belief that he is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. As Christians, we believe God is loving and caring and has our best interests at heart. Trusting in God means putting our faith and confidence in Him, knowing He will guide and protect us. Faith in God means believing that all things will work together for our good. We can have peace even amid difficult circumstances if we trust in God. Conclusion The Bible contains valuable life lessons that we can apply to our daily lives. In this article, we have discussed seven of the top Bible life lessons. These include loving others, forgiving those who have wronged us, being patient, having faith, seeking wisdom, living a life of integrity, and trusting God. By applying these lessons to our lives, we can become better people. For more articles like this, check out 10 timeless lessons from the bible for everyone. What starts here can change the world.

Technology has taken a sizeable chunk of our lives and it affects us directly or indirectly. The way you use it can either strengthen your relationship with Christ or hinder it. I have compiled a list of the top 5 apps I believe every Christian should have.  Youversion In spite of the fact that there are so many bible apps and versions available, the YouVersion bible stands out. Globally, it has over half a billion installs as of this writing. To help you connect with God, YouVersion offers daily bible verses and guided prayer prompts. You can add friends from around the world by connecting your Facebook account. There is a pool of bible reading plans on any topic you might be interested in. These plans can be done either on our own or with friends. You can even do plans privately or publicly where your friends can see your history. I did not list all that Youversion offers here, but there are plenty more. You can access all this free without being bothered by ads. What are you waiting for? Download the Youversion bible app today. Abide Our society has become increasingly concerned with mental health issues. Despite what people might think, we also find people dealing with mental health and depression in the church. Abide meditation app has never been more useful than it is today. While there are other popular apps like Mindfulness and Calm, Abide stands out because someone created solely it for Christians. There is a yearly premium fee to access all the features, but the free version is more than sufficient. The free version includes daily bible readings, daily meditations, and sleep stories. While limited, you also get access to meditation filters and topics. Download Abide and start meditating on God’s word today. Podcasts app There are various Christian podcast apps, but I have only used general podcast apps like Spotify and Google Podcasts. What matters most is who you listen to and who you follow, not which podcast app you use. Christians must have a wide range of knowledge about a variety of topics. The Bible tells us to study to show ourselves approved in 2 Timothy 2:15. There is no better way to study than to listen to podcasts wherever and whenever you want. Most podcast apps are freely available on all platforms. Boundless.org and Focus on the Family are two podcasts I recommend for everyone to follow. Whether you are on the go or you are working, listening to podcasts is one of the best investments you can do for your future else. Slowly There hasn’t been much discussion about this application, but I think it deserves some attention. It functions like an old-school letter-writing app in this age of instant gratification. Sending letters/messages using Slowly delivers them fast or slowly depending on their final destination. It is a better way to make friends around the world and it has allowed me to share my faith and testimonies with people on the other side of the globe. I have learned to be patient through this application, as some letters take days to deliver. To access all features, pay a yearly fee, but you can do almost everything with the free version. The app uses avatars and aliases, which makes it easier to open up to people anonymously. ChristianAudio I can only describe this app and website as Audible for Christians. Their vision is to be one of the most trusted places on the internet for the refreshment and growth of the soul. Their library comprises over 7500plus titles, including audiobooks and audio bibles. A 30-day free trial is available, and no charges are incurred during the trial. You receive four free credits when you sign up, which you can use to purchase books. Sign up for the free trial today. Conclusion Knowledge is not power; it is potential power only if you use it. These are just 5 of a ton of apps that can be helpful for you as a Christian. I pray you will find some of the above-listed apps helpful on your journey with Christ.

Receiving Christ as your lord and savior is the best decision you will ever make. Right there next to it is choosing which church you will fellowship. Sometimes we join the church with unrealistic expectations which ruins or even destroys our relationship with God and his people. Here are 5 things I wish I had known before I joined the church. Christians are not superhumans The world has a very critical and judgemental view of the church. They expect the church to be full of holy and perfect people. Without realizing it, it is easy for us to adopt this view as we join the church. We expect our fellow church members to be perfect and live up to our expectations. The church is a hospital for sinners, so why would we need God if we were perfect? The church should be a safe space where we are safe to be vulnerable as Christ work on us. Pastors are people too There is this unrealistic expectation we have towards our pastors. Some of us even see them as objects of worship. All of us are God’s vessels, regardless of what title we are given. Our high expectations build too much pressure on those in leadership positions. The bible highlights some moments of weakness in the lives of men and women who walked with God. The man after God’s own heart, David, committed adultery with Uriah’s wife.  He saved my soul, not my heart I have heard stories of people who received Christ and were instantly delivered from certain addictions. I wish someone would have told me that’s not how everyone else’s story goes. After receiving Christ, I thought he would miraculously save me from all my evil desires and sins. Salvation is the beginning of a lifelong process, and he will work on us at different paces. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6. There are wolves among sheep I wish someone had told me that performing miracles and driving out demons does not mean someone has genuinely surrendered to God. Many people call themselves Man of God, but they have no connection to God. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Matthew 7:22. Always be vigilant and study the scriptures to see if the pastors/leaders are still leading you on the right path Acts 17:11. The Church is like a hospital This realization made things easy for me. One preacher once said the church is a hospital for sinners. We accepted Christ because we needed a savior. Keep in mind that 99.9% of people visit the hospital for help. Not everyone does as the doctor says, and every patient responds at a different pace. Likewise, we all come to church because we need help. So not every Christian is actually chasing after Christ after all. For those who are, we have to be graceful enough to know that we are all on a unique journey and are responding to Christ at a different pace.  Conclusion If you would like to start your own journey with Christ, all you have to do is accept him into your life today. It does not matter what you have done or where you have been; you are good enough for God. To learn more about salvation, I recommend you read my previous post: What must I do to be saved?

A new year is a great time to evaluate your progress for the past year and make any necessary changes. Here are the top 5 bible verses to help you get started in the new year. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; vs. 7, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Starting a new year can be scary and stressful if you have not made significant progress in the previous year. According to Apostle Paul, we should be anxious for nothing but to pray, give thanks, and make our requests known to God. You can be at peace even if you do not know what this new year holds because you know who holds the future. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” You are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with. A new year is the best time to re-evaluate your relationships. Ask yourself, Who am I around? what are they doing for me? – Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ ‘Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there ‘ – Will Rogers. When was the last time you reevaluated your spiritual life or if you are still in the right church? With so many emerging trends for the church, we need to be vigilant about our walk with Christ. The new year is the best time to evaluate if you are still on the right path.  Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live. The choices we make govern our lives. More important than the choices we make are the consequences that follow. It is advisable to weigh the consequences before making any serious decisions in your life. Always choose life (God) and remember the good thing is not always a godly thing. Choose to make godly decisions as you go through the new year. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. As you enter the new year, remember that he did not bring us this far to leave us. You can rest easy knowing He has better plans for you. He has got you and me in his hands. He has got the world in his hands. Just like in previous years, things will be challenging. There will be no magic years where things always work out for you. Good or bad, everything will work out for you if you believe in him.