These articles represent Christianity 101 and what you need to know to have saving faith in Jesus Christ. Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:09:54 -0500 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-emotions-that-weigh-you-downand-the-prayers-to-lift-you-up.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-emotions-that-weigh-you-downand-the-prayers-to-lift-you-up.html Rachel Wojo https://www.christianity.com/author/rachel-wojo/ Negative emotions can easily burden our hearts and threaten to stomp out our prayer lives. Have you been there? Guessing you have! Taking them to God at the first trigger is critical.2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ," empowering us to purposefully push back on the negativity that creeps into our lives. Prayer and Scripture equip us to stand firm in spiritual warfare, just as Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God. Prayer is both a defensive and offensive weapon. Communication with our heavenly Father provides exactly what we need to deal with the negativity in a positive, God-honoring way.A few weeks ago, I shared how to pray against anger, comparison, bitterness, envy, and pride. Let's explore how prayer can help us battle five more common negative emotions: anxiety, worry, fear, shame, and control.1. Anxiety: Praying for Calm and TrustReal-Life Scenario: You've been thinking about the future and overwhelming feelings rush over your heart and mind. Biblical Truths:"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7Prayer Pattern:Adoration: "Lord, You are worthy of my trust."Confession: "I confess that I'm overwhelmed with anxiety right now."Supplication: "Calm my anxious heart and bring me peace."Thanksgiving: "Thank You for Your love and care."Practical Steps: Push back on anxiety by shifting a single thought of worry to a note of gratitude. Start a simple gratitude journal to write one thing you're thankful for each morning.Reflection Question: What situations cause you the most anxiety, and how can prayer help you surrender them?Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ Ahtziri Lagarde Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/12-encouraging-verses-to-memorize-in-2025.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/12-encouraging-verses-to-memorize-in-2025.html Jessica Brodie https://www.christianity.com/author/jessica-brodie/ We’re all familiar with New Year’s resolutions, and perhaps you’re also familiar with the newer trend, the “word for the year,” where you identify a key growth word that helps focus your attention on big-picture challenges. Stores are stocked with calendars and other planning tools to help us kick off the new year right, while fitness gear is front and center.It’s natural to do this—the start of a fresh new year often prompts us to look within and explore measures to stay disciplined or achieve important personal goals.But instead of personal goals and resolutions, what if we took a different approach to the new year? Instead of focusing on self-oriented strivings, what if we turned our attention to the tool God provided for us long ago—his holy word, the Bible—and trusted that to lead us in the right direction? What if instead of remembering our resolutions, we remember the words of 12 Bible verses, one for every month, that we memorize for 2025?The Bible is chock-full of important, practical, useful, and immensely helpful material. Not only is it God’s love letter to us, his children, but it also contains sensible, realistic, and sound advice from our heavenly parent on how to live right in a fallen world.While reading the Bible is a great way to know the Lord and familiarize ourselves with his directives (and directions), there’s also something to be said about memorizing Bible verses.Maybe memorizing Bible verses is something you’re already accustomed to, and you understand the value of committing God’s word to your heart. Perhaps a Sunday school teacher or a parent required you to memorize scripture, and the habit took hold and never let go.Or maybe you’re like me, never previously required or personally compelled to memorize Bible verses, and perhaps you don’t fully understand the value of such an exercise ... yet.But there are wonderful reasons why we should strive to memorize scripture, and not just because we “have to.”   Sometimes, we don’t have a Bible on hand, and we need a verse for our own comfort or for sharing with another person. Other times, scripture memorization helps us resist temptation or stand strong in times of difficulty. As the psalmist writes in Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (ESV)And still other times, scripture memorization helps us draw closer to the Lord as we meditate on his words and his love to us through the carefully crafted words of his heart.Here, then, are 12 encouraging verses to memorize in 2025.Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Sven Vee Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/why-is-sobriety-trending.html https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/why-is-sobriety-trending.html Tamra Andress https://www.christianity.com/author/tamra-andress/ Sobriety is trending—but what’s driving the movement? This inspiring testimony explores how choosing a life free from alcohol goes beyond health benefits, diving into emotional clarity, deeper relationships, and a closer walk with God. Connecting your choices with your faith can lead to freedom, purpose, and lasting joy. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-can-we-find-joy-and-gratitude-in-the-mundane-details-of-life.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-can-we-find-joy-and-gratitude-in-the-mundane-details-of-life.html Amanda Idleman https://www.christianity.com/author/amanda-idleman/ Feeling lost in the mundane tasks of daily life? Even the most ordinary moments can hold extraordinary value when viewed through God’s lens. This article reveals how gratitude, faithfulness, and a Kingdom perspective can transform the routine into something truly remarkable. Fri, 17 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-common-negative-emotions-and-the-prayers-to-overcome-them.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-common-negative-emotions-and-the-prayers-to-overcome-them.html Rachel Wojo https://www.christianity.com/author/rachel-wojo/ Negative emotions like anger, comparison, bitterness, and envy can easily weigh us down, cloud our minds, and disrupt our relationship with God. Have you been there? Yet, prayer offers a powerful weapon to combat these feelings and reclaim peace and joy. 2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ," empowering us to actively address the negativity that creeps into our lives."Prayer and Scripture equip us to stand firm in spiritual warfare, just as Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God. Prayer serves as both our defense and offense. Communication with the headquarters of heaven provides the wisdom, knowledge, and guidance we need to endure life's battles. Using Prayer to Take Every Thought CaptiveStarve Self-Pity with Gratitude: “Why, my soul, are you downcast?...Put your hope in God.” (Psalm 42:11)Pray a gratitude-focused prayer when tempted by self-pity.Give Thanks in All Circumstances: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18Begin every prayer with thanksgiving, even in trials.Pull Weeds Before They Take Root: “I have hidden your word in my heart.” - Psalm 119:11 Use Scripture to replace negative thoughts with God’s truth.Water the Blooms with God’s Word: “Rivers of living water will flow from within them.”- John 7:38 Pray daily for spiritual renewal through the Word and worship.Prayer is your greatest weapon in the battle against negativity, equipping you to renew your mind and heart. Commit to one action step today: memorize a Scripture, begin a daily gratitude prayer, or share this message with someone who needs encouragement. What negative thoughts will you bring to God in prayer today?Let's explore how prayer can help us battle five common negative emotions: anger, comparison, bitterness, envy, and pride.Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/AntonioGuillem Sat, 11 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-a-christian-man-in-todays-world.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-a-christian-man-in-todays-world.html James Spencer https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/ What does it truly mean to be a Christian man? Beyond cultural stereotypes and societal expectations, Christian manhood is about discipleship—living under Christ’s authority and reflecting His character in every aspect of life. Dive into this thought-provoking exploration of what it means to embody faith as a man in today’s world. Fri, 10 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-to-do-when-you-dont-feel-christian-enough.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-to-do-when-you-dont-feel-christian-enough.html Chelsea Ohlemiller https://www.christianity.com/author/chelsea-ohlemiller/ Feeling like your faith doesn’t measure up? When others judge your Christianity, it’s easy to doubt your worth—but God’s love and grace tell a different story. Break free from comparisons and embrace the truth of your faith in this encouraging read. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/how-to-be-a-christian/ways-to-make-sure-youre-walking-in-the-spirit.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/how-to-be-a-christian/ways-to-make-sure-youre-walking-in-the-spirit.html Clarence L. Haynes Jr. https://www.christianity.com/author/clarence-l-haynes-jr/ One of the keys to walking in the Spirit is you must stay plugged in. We all walk around with cellphones which indeed are powerful devices that can do lots of things. However as powerful or useful as a cellphone may be it has no ability unless it is plugged in and charged up. You and I are very much the same way. Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:30:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/do-you-struggle-with-spiritual-imposter-syndrome.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/do-you-struggle-with-spiritual-imposter-syndrome.html Mike Leake https://www.christianity.com/author/mike-leake/ What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.Okay, I apologize. I’m not actually a comedian; I just like to impersonate one. Truth be told, if you put me on stage at a comedy venue, I’d quickly feel like an imposter. And if I’m honest, though I’ve been pastoring for 20+ years, there are some Sunday mornings when I also feel like an imposter. Apparently, I’m not alone.Sam Alberry posted an intriguing article on spiritual imposter syndrome[1]. Alberry tackles the feeling of inadequacy that many Christians experience when they compare their internal struggle with the seemingly effortless faith of others. It can make us feel like frauds. Yet, Alberry helpfully reminds us that our identity is grounded in Christ.I’d like to talk a little more about spiritual imposter syndrome. I wonder if you struggle with it as well. Here are a few signs that you might, an explanation of why it happens, and then a couple of tips on how to overcome it.[1] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/holy-imposter-syndrome/Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/AndreyPopov Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/how-to-be-a-man-of-god-according-to-the-bible.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/how-to-be-a-man-of-god-according-to-the-bible.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.christianity.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ A man of God is one who believes, obeys, and teaches the correct doctrine of Scripture. Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:09:54-05:00