Welcome to Christ Journal

For many people, the current financial state has caused a great deal of difficulty. The housing market is down, some businesses have closed, and gasoline and food prices are rising. Some are struggling to stay ahead. But, what does God have to say about our finances and our future? Don’t Make Decisions Based on Fear    God’s financial system is not like the world’s system. No matter what happens around us, we don’t have to be fearful because God loves us.  First John 4:18 tells us,  There is no fear in love... Even if situations seem out of our control, the love of God isn’t ever going to crumble and remains our solid foundation in life. We can have confidence that whatever is happening, God wants to help us and will go out of His way to meet even our simple day-to-day needs. Recognize Your Source Second Corinthians 9:10  says,  And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase

                Finding Encouragement in Difficult Times Exit Strategies: God's Plan for Escaping Daily Frustrations We don't have to be miserable, frustrated and unhappy in difficult places. If you and I have been in the world very long, we've learned there are very few days that go exactly the way we'd like them to go. There always seem to be different things happening that can affect our plans. Until we learn that our joy can't be based on our circumstances, we're going to have nothing but what I call a “yo-yo” experience, which is up and down, up and down, up and down. We have to find a way to stay happy, even when our circumstances don't suit us or we don't get a breakthrough as quickly as we'd like–or when people around us aren't what we'd like them to be or they're frustrating us or there's disappointment.  God is never going to put us into a situation or permit us to be in one, wi

1. All men are sinners: ( Romans 3:23 ) "For all have sinned , and come short of the glory of God." ( Ecclesiastes 7:20 ) "For there is not a just man upon earth , that doeth good, and sinneth not." ( Isaiah 64:6 ) " ¶But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." ( Romans 3:10 ) "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" ( James 2:10 ) "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." ( 1 John.1:8 ) "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves , and the truth is not in us." 2. Salvation by grace (undeserved mercy), not works: ( Ephesians 2:8,9 ) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man sh

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Have you ever walked into a store before with something to exchange? Maybe it was an article of clothing that you decided you didn’t like, a pair of shoes that were uncomfortable, or a gadget that didn’t do what you’d expected. You entered the store with something that didn’t work for you, exchanged it, and left with something that did work for you. You had to trade what was not effective for something that was. The same principle applies to your thinking. If you exchange your “I can’t” thoughts for “I can” thoughts, you will see remarkable changes begin to happen. If you build into your character the thought that, with God’s help, you can do whatever you need to do in life, you will have more zeal and enthusiasm

It’s easy to make decisions based on what we want, think and feel―or what our emotions tell us is the right thing, right now. But we have to be very careful not to be led by emotions. We need to follow something much wiser and much more dependable―and that is the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word is sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing soul and spirit and judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart . In other words, God’s Word gives us wisdom to know right from wrong, and keep our thoughts and attitudes in control. Even after years of study we may still not be able to apply every bit of wisdom God’s Word has for us, but we will have made considerable progress―and we’re covered by God’s grace and mercy as we continue to learn and grow.   How to Know God’s Will from Your Own It’s challenging sometimes to discern if what we want is in line with what God wants for us because when we feel strongly about something, we can easil

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and believe the words He spoke to His disciples, then you can definitely find peace in your life. He’s helped me find a lot more peace than I used to have, and He can help you find peace too. What Jesus Said About Peace Peace is important because Jesus talked about it many times, especially in His final moments before He ascended to heaven. In John 14:27 (AMP) He tells His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” Jesus essentially said, “I’m leaving you My peace. Now you need to do all you can to hold on to your peace and stop letting yourself get upset.” Jesus also gives His peace in John 20:19, 21. Now, you might