The Bible gives guidance on prayer, including how to pray, what to pray for, when to pray, and why prayer matters. Even with all these instructions, Paul says believers often do not know the right way to pray. In Romans 8:26, he explains that the Holy Spirit helps us in prayer, even expressing what we cannot put into words.
The reason people struggle with prayer is that they do not always know what is best. For example, when praying for someone who is seriously ill, it may not be clear whether to ask for healing, strength, or another outcome that God sees as better. God’s plans may involve using life’s difficulties to teach, humble, or guide a person in ways we cannot foresee.
Scripture encourages praying for salvation, guidance, and other needs, but the specific results are left to God. Believers are called to pray with sincerity and focus on their intentions, while trusting God to determine the ultimate outcome. In this way, prayer is both an act of personal devotion and a surrender to God’s wisdom.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Fasting can mean different things to different people. Some see it as a way to lose weight, while others give it a spiritual focus, such as giving up movies or time on the internet. The New Testament mentions fasting only a few times, which sometimes leaves people unsure if it is required for believers.
In Matthew 6, Jesus speaks about fasting and says, “when you fast,” which raises the question of whether fasting is mandatory. In the Bible, only one fast in Judaism was required; all other fasts were voluntary. I believe the New Testament continues this idea, showing that fasting is a choice for those who follow Jesus rather than a command.
Fasting is often connected to prayer, especially in moments of deep need or intense spiritual concern. When a believer is focused on serious prayer, fasting naturally supports that effort by helping remove distractions. The rare practice of fasting can reflect a lack of deep, committed prayer in a believer’s life. Ultimately, I believe fasting is meant to be a voluntary act that complements heartfelt prayer and devotion.
While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.”
The Bible talks about Christians producing fruit in their lives. In most cases, the message is simple: true followers of Jesus will show results in their actions, while those who do not follow him will not. However, some passages are harder to understand. In John 15, Jesus compares himself to a vine and God to the gardener. He says that branches in him that do not produce fruit are removed and burned.
This teaching can raise questions about whether some believers might fail and be lost. The passage is not about faithful followers but is directed at Judas Iscariot. Judas was connected to Jesus and appeared to belong, but his life had no spiritual effect and he produced no fruit. The warning of being gathered and burned refers to eternal judgment, not the loss of a true believer.
A real follower of Jesus cannot be lost because of God’s promise. John 3:16 affirms that anyone who believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life. Those who fail to bear fruit are not true believers, and over time, their lack of fruit shows their real condition. Observing fruit in someone’s life can help identify whether they are genuinely following Christ or not.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
It is common for people to miss chances to share their faith because they do not understand other religions or misleading teachings. Sometimes, an unbeliever may present arguments that leave a believer confused or unsure. Other times, a person may struggle to explain what the Bible teaches and why they believe it.
The Bible offers guidance for these moments. In 1 Peter 3, it says to always be ready to explain the reason for the hope you have. I believe this passage is not only about having an answer for difficult questions but also about showing the personal impact of the gospel in your life. It encourages believers to provide a clear defense of the gospel while sharing how it has brought hope and change to their own lives.
Being prepared means understanding the gospel fully and being able to explain it simply and truthfully. At the same time, it means being able to share personal experiences that demonstrate its power. While it is not necessary to know every false teaching or heresy in detail, knowing the truth of the gospel makes it easy to see when something is not genuine. The strength of the gospel itself is enough to show the difference between truth and error.
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
First Peter chapter two teaches that Christ is the living Stone. He was rejected by men but chosen by God and precious. Those who believe in Him are also called living stones. They are being built into a spiritual house. This house is not made of brick or wood. It is made of people who trust in Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone.
The Bible says that believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own special people. These words come from the Old Testament. In Book of Hosea, God told the prophet to marry a woman who had lived in sin. This marriage was a picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Some of Hosea’s children were given names that meant “no mercy” and “not my people.” These names showed that judgment was coming because of sin. Yet the same book promises that one day those who were called “not my people” would be called “sons of the living God.” Mercy would be shown again.
Peter uses this promise to describe the church. Those who once were not a people have now become the people of God. Those who had not received mercy have now received mercy through Christ. The church is the new Israel of God, but this does not mean Israel has been replaced. The true remnant of Israel, those who believe in Christ, are brought into the church. They lose nothing by trusting in Jesus. Instead, they gain the full blessing of the new covenant. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are united under one Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Romans chapters 9 to 11 explain, God has always preserved a remnant according to grace.
Not everyone believes. Some stumble over Christ. Isaiah 6 speaks of people who hear but do not understand and see but do not perceive. This passage is quoted many times in the New Testament. Even Jesus referred to it in Matthew 13 when He explained why many did not grasp His message. Their hearts were hard. They refused to turn and be healed.
This leads to the serious subject of reprobation. The Bible teaches both election and reprobation. Before the foundation of the world, God chose a people for Himself. Others were left in their sin. All humanity fell in Adam. Because of this fall, no one seeks God on their own. Salvation is by grace alone. Abraham himself was justified by faith, not by works, as shown in Romans 4.
Reprobation does not mean that God forces innocent people to sin. All are already sinners in Adam. God may leave people in their sin, and at times He may harden them as an act of judgment. Pharaoh is an example. In Exodus 4:21, God said He would harden Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh also hardened his own heart. In the end, God was glorified through both mercy and justice.
There are several truths to remember. First, election and reprobation are secret decrees. We do not know who the elect are until they believe. As long as a person lives, there is hope. The gospel must be preached to all. God uses the message of Christ to bring His people to faith. Dead sinners cannot give themselves life, but the Holy Spirit can make them alive.
Second, no one who truly desires Christ will be turned away. The call of the gospel is real. People are told to repent and believe. Those who come do so because God has worked in their hearts. Those who remain in unbelief choose their sin and will answer for it.
Believers today are part of one holy nation. They are priests who offer spiritual sacrifices. They proclaim the praises of the One who called them out of darkness into light. Once they were rebels without mercy. Now they belong to God.
Salvation is not earned. It is a gift of grace. God will be glorified in showing mercy to His people and in judging sin with justice.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
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