Steve’s Books
Category Archives: Christianity
Strengthen Yourself
When I was lethargic, low on energy, or just feeling the blahs, I would watch TV, putter around the house, or waste my time in other ways. In the back of my mind, though, I knew there was spiritual power … Continue reading
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What benefits do we get for becoming a Christian?
Here is a short list, in no particular order: When you become a Christian, it is because you have admitted the truth, that you are a sinner, and your sins have separated you from God. This opens the door to … Continue reading
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Why are some prayers not answered?
The Bible gives us several reasons why prayers may not be answered. Here are a few. In addition, we can learn to live a life of answered prayer. I’ll cover that later. If we have enough faith to pray, but … Continue reading
Eternal life is a healthy relationship with God
Each of the Bible’s spiritual values have a natural-life counterpart that we live out, whether we believe in God or not. Eternal life is one of those aspects that we already know in our natural lives. The average church-goer probably … Continue reading
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What is Faith?
First we start with faith’s source, which is God: Romans 10:9 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God Faith comes as a the result of knowing that God has spoken to you. In the context of … Continue reading
Why does God tell us to love our enemies?
In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus tells His hearers to love their enemies: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who … Continue reading
Why can’t we explain our faith to the skeptic?
I’ve had a hard time using logic to explain to skeptics why our Christian beliefs are true and defensible (and even logical). Why? Because some of the wisdom was gained through the logic of life experience, and no shortcuts exist. … Continue reading
How can you believe the church has the truth when there are so many conflicting denominations?
How can Christians say they know the truth about God when their theology and beliefs are fractured in so many ways? How can any one group be sure of themselves, that they got it right? The same way anyone else … Continue reading
How do we grow in Christ’s love?
The Bible expects us to grow in love. For instance, Philippians 1:9 tells us, “that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.” When we were saved, God did not limit our salvation to merely … Continue reading
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Tagged Bible, Bible Study, christlikeness, growth, love, Word of God
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Is everything really working out for our good?
We see so many things going wrong in the world today that we wonder if God is really in control as much as people seem to believe. We suffer relationship problems, money issues, physical and mental anguish, and wonder whether … Continue reading
How can you be a servant of God if you can’t see him?
We often perform our work in response to something, or to fulfill some purpose. We do our homework in response to a teacher’s assignment. We do our work according to the responsibilities our boss gave us. We take care of … Continue reading
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Tagged Bible, Christians, Gospel, Jesus Christ, missions, service
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Are people looking at us from heaven?
Is it true that people who have died and gone to heaven can observe what we are doing on earth? Some people believe the first line of the following passage supports this idea: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded … Continue reading
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What is the “narrow way” and why is it hard to get on it?
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads … Continue reading
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Tagged broad way, eternal life, Kingdom of God, narrow way, nrrow gate, Sermon on the Mount, strait gate
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A Tale of Two Resurrections
When Paul made an argument for his faith in Acts 24:10-21, he affirmed his belief that both the just and the unjust will be resurrected (24:15). What is the resurrection of the just and the unjust? When we encounter a … Continue reading
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Tagged cross, faith, forgiveness, obedience, ready, Ready for the Rapture, sin
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Does God Demand Blind Faith?
Did Jesus demand that people believe on Him by faith only, or did He present proofs and reasons to believe? Let’s start off with this incident: Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent … Continue reading
How can the Old Testament laws be passed away, yet still be said to continue?
The covenants God made in the OT with the Hebrews were “for ever.” However, from what we understand in the book of Hebrews, they could only continue if the priesthood continued, and if God Himself continued it. As it is, … Continue reading
Is predestination really about man’s free will versus God’s sovereignty?
Many people start their approach to predestination from a philosophical position rather than on the actual words and phrases the Bible uses about it. For instance, I asked one person how he begins his argument for predestination. He said, “God … Continue reading
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Tagged chosen, conformed, elect, foreknowledge, free will, image of Christ, omnipotence, Predestination, sovereignty
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Don’t I have to love myself before I can love others?
People often give this response to the story in Matthew’s gospel where a lawyer asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus had answered: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with … Continue reading
How can you be hungry for God?
How do you stay hungry for God? That’s easy to answer. Never be satisfied with the world, the flesh, or the devil, and always strive for something beyond what you can attain on your own. As long as you are … Continue reading
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How can I be sure I’m really believing by faith?
One of the reasons you are confused about faith is because it has been ruthlessly redefined beyond recognition. Some people in religion have defined it as a power, while secularists have mocked it as believing contrary to proof. Both are … Continue reading
What does the Bible mean when it says that we are a new creation in Christ?
Here is the verse: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17).
Can a Christian fall into temptation and commit suicide?
All Christians can be tempted to sin; their history with God can help determine whether they’ll actually follow through with the temptation. For instance, if a person has been under depression off and on for many years, then accepts Jesus … Continue reading
What do people mean when they tell me “Jesus has a wonderful plan for your life”?
Have you ever thought of accomplishing something, then made a plan to make it happen? God has a plan that is universal in scope and eternal in time, and you and I have a place in it. The Bible, from … Continue reading
How can I feel forgiven?
Some of us have felt dark clouds over the soul for a long time after committing a great wrong. We feel obligated to make up for the wrong. Sometimes, after we’ve been forgiven, we continue to be stressed or feel … Continue reading
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Tagged Christianity, confession, Doubt Busters, forgiveness, guilt
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How can I get over being afraid to submit to God because I’m not ready to serve as a missionary?
Some people cannot yield themselves to the Lord because they think God may call them to serve in Africa or China or some other inhospitable environment. They may be afraid of losing their comforts or failing the Lord. The good … Continue reading
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Tagged Doubt Busters, missions, obedience, service, submission
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What does faith feel like?
You might as well ask what reason or the Theory of Relativity feel like. They, and faith, are not feelings at all. The biblical definition of faith means to know something is true. It does not mean to believe in … Continue reading
Why did Jesus keep talking about the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is God’s plan of the ages fulfilled. It is mankind’s very hope and desire for order and peace realized – which our politics and governments have never been able to accomplish. It is the separation of … Continue reading
What does it mean to walk in faith?
First, let’s cover several ideas people may have regarding faith and point out their weaknesses. “To walk in faith means to trust in your heart.” The Bible never tells us to trust in our heart; it says the opposite. We … Continue reading
What is the fear of God?
Many think that verses referring to harsh judgment were meant to be applied to the unsaved. But how did Paul see the judgment? As an incentive to get ready lest one be punished! “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or … Continue reading
