Though the world may think otherwise, a fulfilling life does not begin at retirement for a Christian. We all have a God-given purpose to fulfill in our short time on earth, regardless of our age or abilities. Though things may become slower-paced the older we get, it's important to invest each day we are given in ways that serve the Lord and others, for this is the ultimate way to live a fruitful and fulfilling life.
In modern English, the names of people and places are important, but they don't necessarily define the thing they refer to. In the Bible, however, names carry great significance. God is very intentional about words—after all, He used words to create the universe—and the words He uses to refer to Himself are a rich source of insight into His nature.
One of the most important benefits of studying God’s Word is growing closer to Him and growing more like Christ. If you want to get to know someone, you spend time listening to them. This is just as true with our relationship with God as it is with our earthly relationships. As we spend more time with God and get to know Him better, an amazing thing happens: we become more like Him. Knowing God and imitating Christ go hand in hand.
If you are at a place in your quiet time where you just don’t know what to study next, these chapters of inspiration from the Bible are sure to be engaging and thought provoking. They cover a variety of topics from many different books of the Bible, compiled from years of taking notes in my custom study Bible.
When it comes to studying end-times prophecy, there are books, blogs, and Bible studies beyond number. In our personal search, however, we have found that most resources go into extreme detail. It's easy to be overwhelmed before you even get started. What follows is our attempt to take a step back, look at the big picture, and share some signposts that can help us identify where we are on the biblical, prophetic roadmap.
When it comes to the topic of money and possessions, the Bible contains over 2,300 verses. Why would God include that many verses on one topic? He knew it was a topic we would need lots of guidance on. Randy Alcorn, one of our favorite authors, says, “The sheer enormity of the Bible’s teaching on this subject screams for our attention.”
The Mystery of the Shemitah is an important read in today’s age. The author, Jonathan Cahn, is a Messianic Rabbi in New Jersey who also wrote the book The Harbinger. We have spent many hours listening to his sermons and researching the “mysteries” he reveals in The Harbinger, and we feel Pastor Cahn is a very down-to-earth, biblically grounded, cautious preacher who really does have a message from the Lord for America.
The phrase “do not be afraid” is listed 48 times in the New King James version of the Bible. The word fear is listed over 400 times! God knew that we would need guidance and instruction on this topic and He provided it. Out of His love for us, He commands us not to fear, fret, or be anxious, and through His presence, He provides the means of resisting fear.
Sanctification and holiness sound like lofty theological terms, but essentially they mean that we are to be set apart, living to please God. One unknown author said this process is “the Christianizing of the Christian”, and it takes the Holy Spirit changing our heart in order to change our habits.