How many people love the Advent hymn The First Noel, but don’t know what the word noel means? Perhaps more people than would care to admit! The simple definition of the word is “Christmas,” but more precisely, noel, from Old French, means “of or born on Christmas.” This classic hymn is for those who love…
The beloved Advent hymn Silent Night invites people to the manger in Bethlehem, where a young woman gave birth to a baby boy. The night is full of peace, joy, and love. Worshipers are encouraged to consider the obedience of Mary, the reverential fear of the shepherds, and of course, the Lordship of the child…
O Come, All Ye Faithful is an Advent hymn full of praise, celebration, and joy. The hymn isn’t for somber reflection like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, but for holy and energetic praise, not unlike Joy to the World! The refrain boldly invites followers of Jesus Christ to “come, let us adore him.” The word…
“Hark” isn’t a word that people use much anymore, but it’s preserved in the Advent hymn, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and for good reason. The angels have an important message for humanity: God has become a man in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the baby born to Mary in Bethlehem. The theme…
Charles Wesley’s hymn about the Messiah’s arrival has become an Advent favorite. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus is filled with truth that comes directly from the Bible. The hymn not only alludes to the arrival of Jesus Christ to Mary in Bethlehem but reflects on his identity and the salvation he offers sinners. The theme of…
The Advent hymn Angels We Have Heard On High reflects on the angels present at the birth of Jesus Christ, not unlike another beloved classic, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. When Mary gave birth in a manger in Bethlehem, not many in the world noticed the baby boy’s arrival. But the angels sure did. And…
The Christmas season is full of festive music like the beloved Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Like the biblical stories that tell about the birth of Jesus Christ, the songs of Advent contain messages of love, hope, and peace. Below, readers will find 151 Christian hymns for Advent, but listed first is a…
There is a reason why the Bible is the most widely-read book in human history. There is a reason why nations have been founded upon it; universities have been started to study it; and men and women of different cultures, races, and social classes risk their lives in order to possess, read, and own it….
Many people experience times of being scared. They fear threats, tragedies, and other frightening events that could impact their lives, health, income, relationships, and more. For some people, fear has a real-life source. For others, being scared is the result of what could happen in life, and just the possibility of it paralyzes them with…
Sometimes people have a moment, a day, or a season in their life in which they awaken to the fact that they are distant from God. A tragic event like the death of a loved one may produce such a realization, or it may just occur through a conversation with a friend or even be…
The well-known adage says it all: Life is difficult. Trials and tribulations are common in this world. People try and avoid troubles and minimize them, yet they can be stressful and overwhelming, leaving a person confused, lost, and desperate. So how exactly does a person ask God for help in times like this? Asking God…
God created the institution of marriage to be a permanent union. The promise “until death do us part” that couples traditionally vow to each other at the altar on their wedding day reflects the Bible’s teaching about the life-long commitment of the relationship. But when does marriage end? Marriages end when one spouse dies or…
Pain is a form of physical suffering that may be the result of injury, illness, genetics, or something else. It may be broad or acute, temporary or chronic, self-imposed or not. Whatever its source, nature, and prognosis, pain sometimes leads people to question God. Am I being punished? When will this end? Is it going…
Subliminal messaging, which consists of attempts to influence a person’s mind without their conscious awareness of it, is a self-help trend that is growing in popularity. Certain aspects of the communication technique give many Christians pause. Are “subliminals” sinful or is some people’s discomfort just related to the fact that the process is different than…
According to a recent report, 40% of the world’s population plays video games. [1] This number has increased dramatically with the rise of smartphones, which enable people to play anywhere, not just using the game console connected to the television set in their home. Many Christians are interested to know whether or not playing video…
The Bible mentions the hair of men and women in multiple places. From Samson’s long hair to Paul’s instruction about short hair, hair — or the lack of it in Elisha’s case — plays a role in several stories in the Bible. The details in these stories cause people to ask questions about hair grooming,…
Tests, exams, and other forms of academic assessment can be stressful. Many students have a lot at stake when taking tests, including passing a class, maintaining a certain grade-point average, staying eligible for sports, getting into college, or maintaining a scholarship in college. As a result of these pressures, some students are tempted to cheat…
The Bible teaches that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23), which means that it’s a characteristic that Christians should demonstrate and develop. All people, including Christians, eat and drink multiple times per day. Some people struggle with self-control when it comes to eating. But is overeating a sin? Overeating is a…
A lazy person is one who is unwilling to work or use energy. The Bible’s teaching about laziness, and similar qualities like idleness, slothfulness, and complacency, are clear and strong. In part, what God’s Word says about laziness is in contrast to what it teaches about the significance of work. The Bible teaches that laziness…
The Bible teaches that God’s name is special and that all people should revere it in common speech. Yet the English language contains certain phrases and figures of speech that include the word “God” but aren’t a direct reference to him. Many of these sayings aren’t necessarily considered cussing akin to four-letter words, but they…
Psalm 101:3 ESV I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. KJV I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. NASB…
Hebrews 13:4 ESV Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. KJV Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. NASB Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and…
Proverbs 13:4 ESV The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. KJV The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. NASB The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of…
Genesis 1:29 ESV And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. KJV And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the…
Philippians 4:8 ESV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. KJV Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever…
Galatians 3:28 ESV There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. KJV There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ…
Psalm 85:10 ESV Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. KJV Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. NASB Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. NIV Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. NLT…
Ephesians 4:29 ESV 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. KJV Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that…
Isaiah 9:6 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the…
Proverbs 13:4 ESV The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. KJV The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. NASB The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of…
Deuteronomy 4:19 ESV And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the…
Luke 3:13 ESV And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” KJV And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. NASB And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” NIV “Don’t collect any more than you…
Acts 3:22 ESV Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. KJV For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me;…
Psalm 41:9 ESV Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. KJV Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. NASB Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate…
Genesis 2:7 ESV Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. KJV And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man…
Meat is a staple food in many cultures around the world. Red meat like beef and lamb, poultry like chicken and turkey, pork, which is meat from a pig, and seafood like fish and crab, are consumed often for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and even snack time — all around the world. What does…
Witchcraft has many forms and expressions. Believers and practitioners of witchcraft have been around for thousands of years, evidenced by the fact that the Bible mentions it numerous times. Though many expressions of witchcraft are practiced privately, the belief system is well-known enough to make many people curious about it from a biblical perspective. According…
Fear, which is often defined as an emotion, is commonly made up of feelings like anxiety, helplessness, and a sense of inevitable doom. People fear getting hurt, experiencing loss, the unknown, and a variety of other things. Fear is common to the human experience, no matter one’s gender, race, culture, or social status. It’s an…
1 Timothy 5:8 ESV But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. KJV But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is…
Luke 23:43 ESV And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” KJV And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. NASB And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall…
The article below is not medical advice. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately. Free help is available to all people. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline1-800-273-8255Free 24-hour assistance 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is…
2 Chronicles 9:23 ESV And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. KJV And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. NASB And all the…
Matthew 7:6 ESV “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. KJV Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again…
1 John 5:16 makes a distinction between a sin that leads to death and a sin that doesn’t. This description confuses some readers and troubles others. That there is a “sin that leads to death” raises questions like, “What is the specific sin that John is describing?” and importantly, “Have I committed it?” Among Bible…
1 Corinthians 8:6 ESV Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. KJV But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and…
Isaiah 53:2 ESV For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. KJV For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as…
Deuteronomy 1:39 ESV And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. KJV Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be…
Revelation 21:8 ESV But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” KJV But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and…
Ephesians 5:18 ESV And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, KJV And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; NASB And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, NIV…
Contrary to popular belief, the Bible isn’t prudish when it comes to sexual intimacy and its various expressions. In fact, some passages describe what many would consider graphic depictions of sex through poetic metaphors. Many people know that intercourse is celebrated in the Bible due in part to the command to be fruitful and multiply…