'faith' Tagged Posts (Page 16)
Trust God Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense
It’s easy to trust God when it’s convenient, but trusting God is oftentimes not convenient. It’s tempting to play it safe and do what everyone else says “works.” I’ve done that, and it hasn’t gotten me anywhere. Trusting God and going against conventual wisdom is what got me the big breaks in my life. I’m not against seeking wise counsel, but I make sure God has the final say-so in my decision-making process. Like many of you, I have struggled…
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion
These are the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of the Church of England, which began with the Ten Articles in 1536, and finalized with the full Thirty-nine articles in 1571. The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion THE ARTICLES OF RELIGION Agreed upon by the Archbishops, Bishops, and the whole clergy of the Provinces of Canterbury and York, London, 1562. I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite…
The Athanasian Creed
This is the Athanasian Creed, which is one of the four authoritative creeds of the Roman Catholic Church/Early Christian Church. Sometimes known as Quicunque Vult or Quicumque Vult (for the opening two words of it in Latin). This creed is named after Athanasius (AD 293-373), the champion of orthodoxy against Arian attacks on the doctrine of the Trinity. It was developed in the Fifth Century AD. The Athanasian Creed 1. WHOSOEVER would be saved / needeth before all things to…
What Godly Peace Looks Like
About five months ago, I released a devotional titled “Peace Beyond Understanding.” I created it in response to the countless blogs I’ve posted about centering your life around Christ over the past month. I don’t write blog posts as if my life is perfect; it’s quite the opposite since I’m dead broke while encouraging you all to trust in Jesus. I’m able to continue to write these blogs daily because of the peace I’ve experienced in my life despite having…
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
This is the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Also known as the Second London Baptist Confession or just The Confession of Faith, this was written by an English Reformed/Calvinistic group of Baptists called the Particular Baptists and first published in 1677, and later republished in 1688 and 1689. The following is a Modern English rendition of the original Old English text, translated by Michael Cheng of Grace Family Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Visit his translation page here. 1689 London…
Resting On God’s Promises
I have been talking extensively about the peace of God because I know how life can bring us down. When we go through adversity, we tend to question God’s character. We wonder if God is who He says He is, or we feel like we’ve failed God, so He doesn’t want to bless us anymore. In the past two months, I’ve learned God is faithful even when I haven’t always been faithful to him. “If we are unfaithful, he remains…
The Chalcedonian Creed
This is the Chalcedonian Creed (sometimes referred to as the Chalcedonian Definition or the Definition of Chalcedon) and agreed upon in AD 451. The Chalcedonian Creed We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial…
Grace For Each Other
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29 [ESV] What’s one of the opposites of gratitude? It’s complaining! We are to build each other up! If someone cut you off in traffic, we out resort to fear and complain and say things, “They must be have been on the phone!” “Where was their focus?”…
The Nicene Creed
This is the Nicene Creed (AD 325; Revised at Constantinople in AD 381): The Nicene Creed I believe in one God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were…
Danger Of Self-Ambition
Selfish ambition is when you desire to purely elevate yourself only. The opposite of love is selfishness. Self-ambition is a trap that so many people fall into, and even Christians can get ensnared as well. Our flesh continually craves satisfaction, and it will do anything to get what it wants, even if it involves doing the vilest and evil thing imaginable. David, who is considered a man after God’s own heart, fell into selfish ambition when he looked at Bathsheba…
Survival Mode Versus Serving Mode
As Christians, we are called to serve God and serve others. God tells us to work to eat, but why we work is essential. We don’t work to be rich (by rich, I mean having many earthly possessions), but we work as a service to God. We live in a hustle-driven society where we get so consumed by our work we lose focus on God. Millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and fear losing their job despite hating their…
Westminster Confession of Faith
To read other Christian creeds and confessions, go here. Westminster Confession of Faith This is the Westminster Confession of Faith (1643–46) [Text of the American Version]. This creed was created from 1643 through 1646 by the Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be used as a confession of the Church of England. For the Church of Scotland, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine, and it continues to be influential within Presbyterian churches all around…
The Apostles’ Creed
This is the Apostles’ Creed, which some believe to have come to form around 125-250 AD, and totally solidified by the Third or Fourth Century A.D.: The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost [Spirit1], born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; [he descended into hell;2] the third day he…
The Maturity is in the Scrutiny
Christ gives us sufficient warning in the Scriptures of the coming age of deception. He says in Matthew 24:4-5, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” This post won’t be an effort to prove that we are in a time of deception; that subject can be treated at a later time. However, suffice it to say that we live in a time of confusion and…
God, Offer Us the Spirit of Joy
God offers us the Spirit of God offers us the Spirit of Joy. It’s one of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Joy, I believe, goes beyond circumstances or feelings. It’s all about perspective. I am not saying circumstances or feelings can’t add to the experience of joy but did you know you…
Failure Is Sometimes Good
I’ve failed in many areas in my life: my money, my time with God, being able to maintain a clean house, etc. It’s so easy for us to get hard on ourselves when we don’t live up to the expectations we have set for ourselves. The world tells us that failure is a bad thing, but true success in life comes through failure. The business world does embrace failure, but they always rely on self-will and self-improvement to get out…
To The Servants of This World
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant;’” – Matthew 25:21a [NKJV] As 2021 unfolds, I believe that servants in His church are on the heart of the Father. God’s servant people have always been the force that turns the wheels of the church. I speak of the people who are most deserving of our recognition but seek it the least. They are God’s under-recognized remnant that glorifies the Father by serving His people. They may do…
A Blessing Delayed Is Not a Blessing Denied
I just saw this quote on Facebook that says, “A blessing delayed isn’t a blessing denied.” The quote really moved my heart because I have been struggling for months. I have been praying for God to do a miracle in my life, but it hasn’t happened yet. God has shown me throughout this process that His timing will often disappoint our expectations, not to hurt us but to grow us. If God gave me everything I wanted when I wanted…
God Doesn’t Always Give Us A Straight Path
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11 KJV The past few days were some of the most emotional times of my life. I had to say goodbye to a place I called home for 13 months and was forced to move back to North Carolina. It was heartbreaking having to leave Jacksonville even though I had done it…
Coasting Through Storms
I’m going through a storm right now, but by God’s grace, I can say I’m coasting through it. By coasting, I mean I’m going through without complaining, without worrying, and without rushing God. I know God’s timing is perfect, and it’s only a matter of time before my breakthrough arrives on my doorstep. I say this to encourage those facing hardships right now that you can have peace during storms. Peace may seem distant when we’re in a crisis, but…