abandoned to Christ.

“God knows my heart.” is a common phrase that both Christians and non-Christians use. And sadly, it’s carelessly thrown about to excuse or approve of the faithless, opinionated, and self-righteous way many of us choose to live. Rarely is this phrase used by a truly penitent and humble heart that worships the LORD Almighty in the splendor of holiness—in spirit and in truth (1 Chron 16:29 and Jn 4:23-24). So how can we know for certain if our hearts are the penitent or proud ones when we say, “God knows my heart.” ? We know by how God Almighty says we can know. We test our hearts by what comes out of our mouths (Mt 12:34-37, Lk 6:43-46), with God’s perfect and infallible Word of truth. This God—His way is perfect;   the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. ~2 Samuel 22:31 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God ma...

“I have been with my present husband for 18 years. About 2 years ago he had an affair with another woman. It was hard for me but I dug in deep and leaned on my church for support. I have forgiven him but there are signs that maybe something is happening again (hides his cell phone, never uses it in my presence). He is also emotionally abusive at times. I am trying to hang in there. I attend church regularly and read my Bible and pray every day. He is a believer but does not share in my spiritual hunger or devotion. I am anticipating on leaving and divorcing him but I want to seek God and what His word says before I jump and make this move. Please help me.” Dearest sister C, My husband and I have been in much prayer for both you and your husband since I received your email. Your situation unfortunately, seems to be a common one, even amongst believers. And my husband and I often pray for God to help His children live as lights of this world, strangers, those who are so differ...

Dear Sunny, “I had a question that has laid on my heart that I wanted to ask and felt that you would be able to help clarify about. So maybe people, including non-believer's are quick to misphrase "judge not lest ye be judged" without taking the scripture into context and then cite the "Sermon on the Mount" as the "Golden Rule" yet, from personal reading, there is no reference to a "Golden Rule". It is like they are trying to rewrite the Bible into human terms and to justify sinning. What is the true meaning of "judge not lest ye be judged" and your thoughts of the "Golden Rule" that is often thrown about and use to "justified" no judging at all and if we are watering down Christ's message and the message of salvation by taking out conviction, sin and righteous judgment and trying to paint Christ's sacrifice as a "love one and all unconditionally-sin and all?" This i...

Last week, I received an email from one of my reader's who asked me a few questions regarding Christians divorcing and remarrying. Before I share my answer I'd like to say a few things: First, I'd like to state that my answer is strictly based on God's word regarding His children's involvement in both divorce and remarriage. I am neither condemning nor supporting any of you (or those you love) who have divorced and remarried in a way that is unbiblical. I am very aware that we are all sinners, and by God's generous grace, He has provided us forgiveness for all our sins by the shed blood of His one and only begotten Son, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Therefore, if you have participated in an unbiblical divorce and/or remarriage, I encourage you to repent of sins before God, carefully listen to His admonition and teach others what He has graciously taught you, then thank God for His forgiveness and His continued blessings He bestows on your life because He ...

Many of us who "grew up in the church" are familiar with words like  blasphemy and heresy, but aren't sure what they mean,  how God applies them in His word, and how He expects us to apply them in our daily lives as His holy and dearly loved children. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." ~ Exodus 20:7 "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1 In order to gain what God's usage of blasphemy and heresy are, we'll take a look at how these words (in their various forms) are used in Scripture as well as the original Hebrew and Greek. blasphemy   n.  ~ 1. profane or contemptuous speech, writing, or action concerning God or anything held...