I've been following someone on Instagram for a little while. She is an avid follower of God, no doubt about it. She is non denominational (i think) but was of other Christian denominations in the past. Lately she has been prophesying about the fall of America, saying that "America will not last" and will experience "war and famine for 2 years and 3 months". She has said that God will protect His people but the wicked must repent and "the black gate is closing and is about to shut", also that stars will fall, (metaphorically?) internet shutdowns will occur, etc. As a young American Christian I am really scared. Thing is, she claimed not even a month ago that she does not want to be seen as a prophet. Before that, however, she claimed to have the "Spirit of Moses". I don't know what that means. She seems genuine, im not dismissing her, but this all feels so scary and I haven't seen many other Christians saying anything about it. How can I discern if this is true or not?

TL;DR: Prophetess on Instagram says that America will fall and experience war and famine for 2y 3mo. How do I discern if it's real or not?

Please do me a huge favour right now, I promise I will pay you back if you can do this heheh but please see if you could honestly pray to Almighty God right now "Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief. Please do your miracle in me." See if you could pray that as honestly as you could possibly muster right now, just as a favour to me, please? Thank you. Glory be to the Lord Most High.

A few days ago I asked if people wanted to play games with other Christians and I ended up creating a discord.

Discord: https://discord.gg/A2BvxyHn

So I’ve recently started going to church and reading the bible (about 4 months ago). I’ve posted here before saying that my boyfriend introduced me to this. I’m on a trip to Thailand and I’m away from him for 3 weeks. I’ve prayed and I’ve been praying everyday just to feel close to God. While I was having a couple drinks out one night with my mom and sister we were playing Jenga at a random bar. Each Jenga piece had writing on it and people signing their names. My sister picked up a piece and frowned/smiled at me and said did you write this? I said what no then read it and it was my boyfriend and my name with a heart. I’ve felt like we were supposed to meet and this just solidified it and I was praying I would see some sort of sign that God is with me while I’m away and then I saw this. I believe he knew just how to talk to me and know I would receive his message. I wanted to take the piece because I thought it was a beautiful sign and I needed to bring it back to my boyfriend. My mom and sister both got mad at me saying I would ruin the game if I was to do so. This wasn’t a thought in my mind because I know they’ve stolen glasses from restaurants before and I just said you can take the top layer of the Jenga game off and still be able to play fine. It wasn’t their anger that got me to put the piece back but since reading the bible there are verses were it talks about not stealing so I started thinking of it more that it was glorious in itself that I was to see this Jenga piece. It might seem stupid to some or most I’m not sure (since my mom and sister both seemed to think it was stupid) but I believe God was with me. Would you have taken the Jenga piece? I took a picture but can’t help but think I want the physical Jenga piece.

TIA:))

There is a lot of wrong interpretation on Romans 7. Paul is saying he couldn't control himself when he was still a pharisee serving under the Law, before he received Christ and served under the Spirit.
Let me kindly explain.

In Romans 7, the apostle Paul writes:

Romans 7:14-15

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been sold into bondage under sin.

15 For what I am working out, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

Romans 7:19-20

19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.

20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one working it out, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 7:23

23 but I see a different law in my members, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members.

To summerise, Paul says:

- That he is fleshly, under the bondage of sin
- That he cannot do what he wants to do, and he does the evil things that he does not want to do
- That sin dwells in him and that he is a captive of the law of sin (some translations say prisoner instead of captive)

But lets look at what Paul said to the Galatians:

Galatians 5:16-18

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Sounds familiar? Yet here Paul says that if you walk by the Spirit and are led by the Spirit, you will not be controlled by your flesh.

Notice in verse 18 Paul says we are not under the Law when we are led by the Spirit.

Let's go back to the beginning of Romans 7:

Romans 7:5-6

5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were constrained, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Paul is here comparing past and present.

Now remember that what Paul wrote this letter he wasn't dividing it up into chapters like we have now. Remembering this, let's go back to Romans chapter 6.

Romans 6:14

14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:6-7

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

Paul taught that through Christ, we can serve God in Spirit and not in the flesh. We died with Christ and became a new creation.

Romans 8:1-2

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Remember that law of sin that Paul talked about in Romans 7:23 where he said he was a captive of? Yes, Christ set Paul free from that.

The KEY is THIS:

Romans 8:13-14

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

In a kingdom vast and old, every soul bore a chain. Some were delicate, their links soft as whispers. Others were burdensome, dragging like sorrow’s shadow, clanking with every faltering step. These chains were not of metal but of memory, the weight of choices made, the echo of wrongs unrighted.

Among the kingdom’s people was a young woman whose chain was neither the lightest nor the heaviest. She watched the weary struggle of others, those whose chains stretched long and cruel, rusted by regret. Her heart, tender with curiosity and compassion, sought the King. “Majesty,” she asked, “why do some bear chains that bend their backs, while others seem almost free?”

The King, wise as the winds and kind as the sun, replied, “These chains grow from the seeds of choice. Some are forged link by link, growing heavier with each passing year. But true, heartfelt forgiveness can lighten even the heaviest burden.”

“Can all chains be broken?” the young woman asked, her voice trembling with hope.

The King’s face softened into a smile. “Yes, child. That is why I sent My Son. He carries the key to freedom, a power greater than guilt, greater than shame. But freedom cannot be forced, it must be accepted. Each one must come to Him, lay bare their burden, and take the gift He offers.”

One day, the young woman came across a man whose chains were vast, sprawling behind him like a rusted anchor. He moved slowly, each step a struggle. Her heart broke at the sight. “Why do you carry such a weight?” she asked gently. “The King’s Son can shatter even these chains.”

The man’s eyes, rimmed with sorrow, brimmed with tears. “I know of Him,” he whispered. “But my sins are too great. How could He forgive what I cannot forgive in myself?”

Moved by his pain, the young woman reached out. “His love is greater than your fear. I, too, carry a chain,, not as heavy as yours, but its weight has pulled at my spirit. Come with me, and we will go to Him together.”

Together, they approached the Son, whose presence was light itself, whose eyes held the world’s compassion. The young woman spoke first. “I have borne this chain long enough. I am ready to let it go.”

The Son touched her chain, and in an instant, it fell away, clattering into nothingness. She gasped, her heart lighter than air.

The man, trembling, knelt before the Son. “I am unworthy,” he said. “My sins are too great.”

The Son knelt beside him, His voice firm yet tender. “No one is worthy. That is why I give My forgiveness freely. My blood was shed to redeem even the darkest heart. Lay your chain before Me, and I will break it.”

The man sobbed, his tears falling like rain. “I believe,” he said, his voice breaking. “Help my unbelief.”

The Son touched the man’s chain, and with a sound like thunder, it shattered. The man stood, unshackled, his spirit soaring. For the first time, he felt the weightlessness of grace.

The young woman turned to the Son, her heart now full of questions. “What of those who refuse to bring their chains to You?”

The Son’s eyes, infinite with love, grew solemn. “They remain bound, not because I turn them away, but because they turn from Me. My arms are open, always, but freedom requires the courage to come.”

She asked again, “What of those whose chains are so heavy they cannot make the journey to You?”

The Son’s face brightened with a smile that lit the heavens. “I seek them where they are. I walk into their darkness, carry their burdens, and break their chains. No weight is too heavy for My hands. I am the way, the truth, and the life, for all who will receive it.”

And so, the young woman and the man returned to the kingdom, their chains left behind, their steps unburdened. And from that day on, they spoke of the Son’s power to all who would listen, bearing witness to a love that could break any chain.

I haven't been well lately and a person helped me by advising me the letters of Christ, you can find them online for free or on the website Procurement, everyone has their own free will, but sincerely these letters are worth reading, they are liberating and allow a deep understanding of things. Publication so that every Christian prays for a true enlightenment of unconditional divine love and the love of Jesus, for the planet, for our neighbor!

Many people think God is evil because most are allegedly going to hell. Eternal separation from God. Hollywood and fake stories from clout seekers make hell sound like constant torture from demons. We know from scripture that the enemy and his fallen ones will be suffering immensely. I don't think hell is a place of actual torture being inflicted. It sounds more like a dark and lonely and endlessly sad place. When talking about hell to people outside the faith, they are clear in believing it is unfair and cruel. When we tell them God is just, they don't buy it. How does one explain that hell is justified? I will admit that I struggle with my faith and I don't like the idea of hell myself.

Sometimes I ask myself if I’m actually saved or if I actually believe in Jesus from the bottom of my heart. Often I ask myself if I actually believe in Christ or if I just gaslight myself into thinking that I believe. I am in a constant state of confusion right now, and idk what to do. Sometimes I think I blasphemed the Holy Spirit, sometimes I think I didn’t; it’s kind of a cycle if that makes sense. A cycle of sinning, getting extremely angry at self for sinning, saying stupid things out of that anger (I’m not saying this as an excuse, I know that this doesn’t exactly… justify it. Just as to why I did it, for clarification.), thinking I blasphemed the Holy Spirit, getting to a very bad place mentally and then just finding god again, confessing my sins, trying my best not to commit them again and to repent and life goes on normally until this repeats itself. At least that’s how it’s been so far. Right now, I just feel… numb. It’s been like this for some time to the point I’m unsure if I’m in a depression. (Everyone around me is basically certain but I doubt I’m depressed) I know I need forgiveness, I know I need to get closer to god, but… it’s kind of like I don’t feel anything. I don’t hate god, but my fire for god isn’t as strong anymore. I dunno if it’s still there or something. I still like god, I think, but to be honest I’m starting to question everything. If I’ve ever believed, if I still believe, if I’ve committed the unpardonable sin, why this numbness is here etc. This numbness has been here for a concerning amount of time now and idk what to do. Do I just examine my faith to see if I actually even believe? Did I commit the unforgivable sin? My heart is as hard as stone and I just feel nothing. Plain emptiness. No feelings. No good feelings, no bad feelings, even regarding my faith, I just feel void. I’m not sad, I’m not happy, I don’t feel hate, I don’t feel joy, I don’t feel anything. The only thing I’m starting to feel is worry because of this. Is this normal? Am I too far gone? Idk what to do anymore. The blasphemous intrusive thoughts are also starting to get stronger and I keep having them more and more often. I feel like because of this void I’ve been really rude recently and… yeah. I don’t know what to do. Any recommendations? Thank you so much

I have a serious issue when it comes to change. Not from a physical standpoint however, but rather when the change challenges me academically. For context, I’ve always had this notion that I’ve needed to be the smartest and best student. My parents never pushed me to be a top students, they’ve actually insisted that I just do not stress myself out and do my best in school. Since elementary school, I’ve had straight A’s. I graduated as my high school’s valedictorian with a cumulative GPA of 5.75.

There is a darker and more sinister side to my story though. At the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, I was thrown into my first AP course, world history. This was the first course in which I had to read about 75 pages a week, which to a sophomore in high school seemed like quite a lot. I remember the first 5 weeks of the semester were terrible. I would cry myself to sleep at night every night. I hated looking at myself in the mirror because I had so much fear that I would fail the class. This lead me to the conclusion that everything I had worked towards, was in vain and that I would become a failure. After that initial 5 weeks, I began to cry less and less, and eventually I thrived and became happy like my old self. This happened to me again my junior year of high school, the covid year. Then again my senior year of high school, and again my first two years of undergrad.

With this in consideration, I think it is important that I mention I am a pre-med student. I have my sights on becoming a physician in the future as I have loved all of the extracurricular clinical activities I do and interacting with patients. With this established, the issue that I have is this last semester. I took organic chemistry and have never been as stressed for so long, nearly 7 weeks of depression, lack of sleeping, lack of eating, lack of routine, and wanting to commit suicide. After those seven weeks, once I realized the semester was going to finish, I began to be my old self again, but not completely. The course really took a heavy toll on me, physically speaking I believe I’ve lost some hair due to stress related reasons.

This is not a sustainable practice. I’ve gone through this since my sophomore year of high school, and here I am about to begin my junior year of college, and nothing has changed. I want to change this before the next semester, and really get a grasp before medical school. There are so many factors that I can think of from phone addiction, a legitimate clinical behavioral issue, lack of sunlight, social media addiction, etc. I’m really just at a loss because I don’t know what to do. I exercise nearly everyday (bodybuilding), but even this is like a chore, not so much a stress reliever. If you have any insight I would appreciate it greatly. Thank you all for reading and considering my situation.

I have prayed to the Lord, and I think that the Holy Spirit is convicting me to really do my best and find a solution to this. If you have any sight, I would love to hear it. God bless you.

I just want to put this out there for whoever might be struggling, hurting, or suffering right now. Jesus can become more real, more alive, more close than he ever has been for you. As I'm coming close to death every chemo treatment, His voice becomes clearer. His personal messages to me have been so full of grace and love so crushingly beautiful and life giving I cannot articulate it. So the question becomes, how did I get here? I had to be an arrogant, selfish, pharisee that was humbled and broken down in order to learn how to surrender and cry out to Jesus. This didn't happen when I received my diagnosis in October of this year. It has been almost two decades of praying, pursuing, failing, getting back up, learning, hoping, and seeing miracle after miracle when He's come through for me in ways that defy logical explanation - ways that grew my faith and helped me trust Him more and more. Every single time these miracles happened when things were falling apart and the suffering was immense. But, I held onto the idea that He is always good and is always using circumstances to make me rely less on the temporal, less on myself, and more on Him.

My cancer is just the latest till He is using to make my heart a heart of flesh. I've become so jaded by this world that it can be very difficult to love people that aren't right in front of me. He's using this cancer to enlarge the borders of my heart and I'm so thankful.

He is always with you. Call out to Him. Scream out to Him if you need to. Tell Him all of your thoughts(yes even if you're angry at Him or hate Him-He wants to hear the honesty of your heart) and expect an answer because He loves you infinitely more than you can imagine. You are the apple of His eye.

I know I'm saying a lot that may not make sense, and to go into detail would require a literal novel. At this point, these treasures have begun to be hidden away in my soul because the chemo is stealing my recall abilities. I hope in all this, I can encourage the thought that true growth comes when our pride and ego is erased. If we cling to the understanding the He is infinite, we are finite, and that He is always good, we will begin to see that he uses all situations, circumstances, and events, both bad and good, to make us more like Him; more full of love, joy, peace, hope, gentleness, kindness, holiness, and so on.

I don't want it to seem as if I'm come into some great revelation that's provided all the answers because I am still very much learning how little I truly grasp. I simply want to share my testimony in hopes that it will help someone out there. Please don't give up on Jesus.

Peace to you my brothers and sisters. May the Father flood you with His Spirit tonight and bring you into greater abundance in His love. Blessings.

The reasoning behind my "cold-feet" is two-fold: (i) I was baptized as a baby. (Less than 1yo.) (ii) I don't have a fixed nor entirely informed stance on whether baptisms can or should be done twice, even if the first time was in a manner void of nearly any consent on my behalf.

Thoughts?

[For the sake of accessibility, this is all I will write here. For additional info and context, please refer to my comments below this post.]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit: With all the comments on this post, I've realized the "please refer to my comments below" remark is getting a little confusing. Here's a copy of what they read.

(Copy of Comment One.)

A few weeks ago (on 12-9-2024), I reached out to the lead pastor of my home Church (which is baptist) to discuss the possibility of being baptized. Not only was he in full support of this decision, but was very enthusiastic! After around an hour of talking it through, I finally decided that now was the time. So, he got out all the paperwork for me to fill out, and we settled on 12-29-2024. This was agreed upon even after having made crystal-clear that I had been baptized as a baby. (Verbally and, yes, I even filled out on one of the forms that I had been baptized as a baby.)

Now, this desire to be baptized is one which I whole-heartedly believe God had placed in my heart! (If curious why I believe this? Ask and I will be happy to share!) However, hearing all that those on the internet have to say about second baptisms has made me a little worried.

(Copy of Comment Two.)

My intentions in being baptized are nuanced, relying not only on scriptural reading, but also -- and much more heavily upon -- what those with greater wisdom than I (at my home church) have advised:

(i) Baptism is a profession of faith. (Having lived life as a secret Christian for the past year, this would be the most genuine and sincere profession of the faith which I have in Christ Jesus!)

(ii) I was disinterested in faith up until 4th grade (late-2012), at which point I would lean toward atheism (though continue to identify with the cultural label of 'Christian'). I remained this way all the way up until December 2021, at which point I would become agnostic. I converted to Christianity during January 2024...so I'm a little confused on how my past baptism (as an uninformed/(likely) disinterested baby) and confirmation (as a atheist teenage) would mean anything besides the fact that my parents technically raised me in the Church?

Is faith not something which demands the individual follower to believer with their whole heart, and not simply living by a few rules/rites? Having read through John & his first letter with a very observant lens over the past year, it seems clear that God doesn't want followers who don't worship in "spirit and truth", but only those who have the commandments of God written on their hearts, no?

Hey friends! Anyone else felt urgent need to wake up and repent after reading the letters to 7 churches in Revelation? Anyone else feels like lost of first love? Jesus will blot out names as well? I am terrified😭 I feel like when I had my born again experience, I was so full of spirit and love, but it is no where near as hot as it used to be… anyone else feel this? Or ways to come out of this?

I have heard so many people say that its having faith in Jesus will get you to heaven, or having fiath and jesus including the works that you commit through the spirit will get you to heaven! Yet it is so confusing!!! The verse “depart from me I never new you” and “follow the narrow path— very few will find it” (im paraphrasing but im sure most people know what I mean.” I am stuck in the legalistic side, of doing works, and yet when i believe that Only Jesus saves (he does), i feel like that its wrong for me to just simply beleive and not do the work. Doesnt my actions to show I am a Christain have something to show for in heaven!? I want more than anything that to see Jesus and hear those word “well done my good and faithful servent”. Its almost impossible! Not to mention all the videos i saw on “Gods warnings to you” “signs to tell youve angered God” “get right with God.” all bring fear to my soul rather than the fire to do better. I know God is jealous yet loving God. Yet it seems that the very confusing thing is what it really means? What do you guys think? My salvation and where i go when i die is the number one important thing to me in this life!

I believe the once saved always saved is a unbiblical doctrine which deceives those who believe it. Faith alone can't save you, you need works but the works will not save you. Ultimately, faith by grace is the key. But if you live in sin and you don't repent, you will perish. Repentance, faith and love is needed for salvation but grace of God gives you salvation. He decides and we all don't deserve it.

Hello everyone,

My name is Noah, I'm 21 years old and I live in a small village in France. I recently started my journey with Christ and I've been quite on my own: my parents aren't religious and there isn't any church near me.

I'm looking for Christian buddies to talk with them, but also read and discuss the Bible with them.

I tried Christian Discord servers before but I'm really not fond of the whole internet community aspect of it, I really prefer one-to-one relationships.

I have autism, if that matters.

Looking forward to hearing from you guys!

God bless.

Im going to be checking out of their lives starting today and my life as well I’m going to be asleep until Jesus comes back.I can’t do this anymore.They won’t listen.

Hello, I have come back to ask for help with lust...again...for the very fourth time! JkJk🤣

As the title implies, I feel bad asking God for forgiveness for my lustful sins...pretty much daily😞. I understand God's grace is far greater than all my sins and I must rely on him always and forever to escape sin, but I feel like I'm abusing his grace. Also I worry my prayers aren't strong enough since I keep falling back?

Any tips on this?

Our lord! Our Savior!

INTRODUCING. . . THE ONE AND ONLY SON OF GOD THE SON OF MAN REVEALED THROUGH TIME AND SPACE AND HES YOUR DEFENSE ATTORNY! WHO HAS NEVER LOST A CASE!

NO ITA NOT BUDDAH, MOHAMMAD, OR KRISTNA! OR ANY OTHER WHOS SURCUMBED TO DEATH!

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. . .

I PRESENT TO YOU. . .

JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH!

Does your church have anyone in it who is just nasty or rude?

If so, how do you handle them?

(Please know that this is not an exhaustive case, just an overview of some of my thoughts on this issue. Also, TL;DR at the end. )

I recently participated in a thread where someone was asking for an English Bible translation recommendation. Many commenters who recommended certain translations claimed that their recommended translation was a good one to use because it was "literal" or "the most literal English translation," or something similar. Many of them also made negative comments about translations viewed as "less literal" or "dynamic," specifically the NIV.

This got me wondering, why do many Christians assume that literal=better in Bible translation? Why do many in this group also feel the need to denigrate what they view as less literal translations?

As I'm sure we all know, the Bible was not written in English. It was written primarily in Hebrew and Greek, two languages that are extremely dissimilar to English. As a result, every translation has to sacrifice some degree of literalness to be intelligible to modern English readers. As a result of this, word order is frequently changed, and idiomatic phrases are altered when their literal translation would not make sense to an English speaker. This is an unavoidable part of Bible translation. However, as believers, we know that God gave us a perfect Scripture, but that doesn't mean he gave us perfect translations.

All mainline and evangelical translations have to make sacrifices for the sake of comprehension. In many cases, the "more literal" translations will be at a higher reading level and may be out of reach for the comprehension of some believers. In addition, despite what some claim, all of the major English translations preach the same Gospel. Yes, a "less literal" translation may veer further from the original languages, and may take some interpretive liberty for the sake of their readers on non-Gospel issues. However, one can still be saved by reading through Gospel in the NIV and the NLT, and many have been!

1 Corinthians 14:9-12 speaks on this issue. Although Paul is discussing speaking in tongues, the principle applies to translation as well.

"9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church." (ESV)

According to Paul, if the message is not intelligible, it is not valuable for the one who does not understand, and does not build up the Church.

My main point is that we should be okay with believers receiving the Gospel from whichever responsible translation makes good sense to them.

Mark Ward on YouTube made an excellent video discussing this issue better than I can and examining why literalness should not be the only standard of a translation.

Link to Mark Ward's video on the overvaluing of literal translation

While I do anticipate that I'll receive some objections to this, I will not be responding to most of them, as Mark Ward will most likely address your objection better than I'm able to in the linked video. His video is worth a watch for anyone who cares about this issue.

TL;DR - All of the major English Bible translations share the same Gospel; reading any major translation that makes sense to you is fine, and comprehension should not be sacrificed for literalness.

I'm 19, in college, and am on my journey with God. I got saved last month, have received so many blessings since, and have had several thoughts from God. I can look back to the start of this year and see how he's used the Christians in my life to slowly lead me to Him, and have never been more happy and at peace. However, my parents are Catholic and believe I am being falsely led. They are refusing to let me go to another church as they believe it is their obligation to keep me in the church. I am seriously considering moving in with another family member in order to go to a church that actually feeds my spirit, and not have Catholicism shoved down my throat. I know Jesus says that He will cause division, but I never imagined it would be like this. I am just lost right now and need encouragement to keep going strong.

Hello 25M that's recently devoted myself to Christ. After a lot of spiritual attacks, temptations and struggles I've gone through ever since I gave myself to Jesus I figured out why God allows such things.

He allows suffering to draw us closer to Him and bless us. It's helps grow in our faith and prepares us for stronger tribulations. I've noticed that a lot of people give themselves to Christ through suffering rather than the opposite. In times of suffering, it's hard to depend on ourselves because we're unsure about the path we're taking or what's to come in the future. None of it is guaranteed. When we depend on God, the reassurance is guaranteed because God will never leave you nor forsake you. He requires us to be like little children and be entirely dependent on him.

Matthew 18:3 And said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

People who don't have God in their lives never have assurance of themselves. How can you be assured in yourself when you have limitations? God doesn't.

Lastly, God blesses us when we trust in him in times of suffering. We pray and ask Him of the things we desire in this life. Remember that God only gives us what's best for us not what's good for us. So if your prayers aren't answered, ask yourself if it's God's will. All blessings come in his time, not ours so we have to be patient and diligent.

Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you"

Much love to my brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray you have the strength to keep going. He is coming quickly to wipe your tears and your burdens!

Hi everyone! The new year is approaching, and as one does, I have some things I want to improve in 2025 — one being my bible studies/time with God in general.

My current bible reading routine is simply to just read a chapter and highlight anything that sticks out, I find relatable, etc. sometimes I’ll google further explanations for clarity, but I want to do more.

I know a lot of people have notebooks or notepads and write as they read - but what exactly should I write? I know it’s based on personal preference and that a journal is common for bible study, I just don’t know how to go about doing it.

It honestly doesn’t have to be a journal, just any tips and ideas of how to get more into the bible and take things away from it. I noticed that as I get older I forget more and more about who certain people are/certain important stories so I was thinking of in addition to my NKJV bible I might also pull out my ‘children’s action bible’ just to sort of walk through some reminders. Aside from that I’m not too sure what to do. Any ideas would be appreciated greatly!!!