When we read about troubles that seem to be coming for humanity, or for our own lives, it is easy to feel helpless, as if nothing can be done. Some of us quietly conclude that everything in life is already decided and that no effort will change it. But is this really so?

The Bible gives us a gentler picture. Even the disasters God Himself has announced, and even the blessings He has promised, are not always carried out exactly as spoken. Often they depend on how people respond. Consider what God told the prophet Jeremiah:

Is it enough to ask Jesus for help and say that I trust in Him? To call on His name? Will I be saved — is it really that simple?

Such questions come to us, or are told to us, after reading the following verse or similar ones to the one below.

People naturally want to feel respected and valued, which forms the basis for their self-esteem. Pride is a common feeling that makes individuals want to show off their accomplishments and contributions in life. Not surprisingly, the Bible contains numerous references to the word “pride”. Often, we ignore such references, discarding their meaning as something not applicable to us. However, let's take a closer look at it.

When coming back home before meeting with Esau, Jacob wrestled with God and won. What does that mean? How can a mere human win God in fight?

During our life, with age, we often get thoughts about how to live right, to act properly, where to look for happiness and the true meaning of life. We do not find satisfaction either in expensive purchases or in our achievements ...

We've heard about Jesus saving our lives. Is that enough or we actually need to do anything ourselves?

We often hear about Jesus and about the fact that he saved us by dying on the cross for us. And whoever believes in him has eternal life. 

Saving our lives - that is the role of the expected Messiah... But is Jesus the real Messiah, or we have to wait for someone else?

Most of the information about the chosen one, the one who will save all of us, we are getting from the book of the prophet Isaiah, who lived and prophesied at around 8th century BC. Roughly, it was 700 years before Jesus was born.

Why would God forbid the knowledge of good and evil to Adam and Eve? This seems strange as even the fruits from the Tree of Life were not forbidden to them. And when God forbid to eat these fruits, He explained what kind of tree it was. God wanted us to know that he hadn't meant the knowledge of good and evil for us. Why?