Top 10 Blog Posts of 2023

As we move forward to the 2024 calendar year, let’s take a look back at our most popular blog posts from 2023.

The year 2023 was another memorable calendar year.

From major natural disasters to mass shootings, to new and ongoing wars, to the mainstreaming of AI—the year was full of plenty of tragedy and noteworthy news. It’s very likely that 2024 will have its fair share of tragic headlines. With America going into a presidential election year, hatred and divisions will certainly reach a fever pitch again.

But, despite all the bad news around us, Life, Hope & Truth had many positive developments in 2023.

In January 2023 we launched our newest podcast, Verse by Verse, which has continued to improve and build an audience throughout the past 12 months.

We also launched our new video program, Life, Hope & Truth Presents, in October. As of this writing, we’ve posted seven episodes, which have been viewed over 35,000 times on YouTube. We are very excited about the episodes we will post in 2024. (If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to follow us on YouTube: Life, Hope & Truth YouTube Channel.)

As far as our InSights blog posts, we had another strong year. Our Insights posts had over 882,000 views in 2023, with many thousands coming from searches on Google.

1. Is America Experiencing a Genuine Christian Revival?

“In recent days, events at Asbury University, a small religious college in Kentucky, have made national news. Labeled as a revival, videos from the ongoing worship services at Asbury have been showing up on social media, particularly TikTok . . .

“But do these things actually represent a true revival—as the Bible would define it? . . .

“Genuine biblical conversion isn’t based on an emotional religious experience in a chapel; it is a change in how you think, what you believe and how you live your life on a daily basis.

“That’s the kind of revival you need. That’s the kind of revival our nation and world needs.”

2. Is Adolf Hitler in Hell?

“Hitler was also responsible for unleashing the horror of World War II, which resulted in the deaths of millions of soldiers and civilians.

“For that reason, many assume Adolf Hitler must be burning in hell at this very moment. After all, if there is a hell, who else would be more deserving of its torment than Hitler? . . .

“If those of Sodom and Gomorrah will live again and have an opportunity to repent, isn’t it possible that God will also extend that same opportunity to other evil people like Adolf Hitler? . . .

“Eternal death will be the ultimate penalty for all who grit their teeth and refuse to repent. If Hitler is hardened in his unrepentance or rejects God’s calling, this will be his punishment.”

3. What Is the Meaning of 1 Peter 3:15? Always Be Ready to Give a Defense?

“In his book, Peter makes the point that as Christ suffered unjustly, so His followers might have to suffer—enduring persecution even for doing what is right and good . . .

“In the midst of his exhortation, Peter wrote, ‘But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear’ (verse 15).

“What did he mean by that? . . .

“Christians should always share their hope in a spirit of respect and concern. They shouldn’t lecture others with a spirit of superiority and contempt for the other person.”

4. What Is the Meaning of Romans 8:19?

“Romans 8:19 says, ‘For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.’ . . .

“When Christ returns to rule the earth for 1,000 years, the curse that has been upon the ground will be lifted. The ground will once again produce abundant crops . . .

“The material creation is metaphorically awaiting this wonderful future when it will be restored to the beauty, order and productivity it enjoyed before Adam and Eve sinned.”

5. What’s Behind the War Between Israel and Hamas?

“On Saturday, Oct. 7, many in Israel were celebrating the Jewish holiday Shemini Atzeret. Others were gathered at a festival enjoying music. Then, without any warning, rockets and gunfire began . . .

“As brutal and savage as this recent attack was, fighting in Israel is nothing new. For centuries, the Jewish people have been persecuted, disdained and attacked by those around them . . .

“Yet, despite all the fighting and hatred in Israel today, God the Father will send Jesus Christ to Jerusalem to end all conflict and establish the Kingdom of God on earth.”

6. The Meaning of Proverbs 17:9—He Who Covers a Transgression Seeks Love?

“When someone we trust mistreats us, responding rationally and with love can be challenging.

“The Bible says much about how to deal with interpersonal conflict, especially when it occurs between friends. The book of Proverbs addresses how we should approach someone who has transgressed against, or mistreated, us . . .

“Keeping a transgression private provides a perfect opportunity to show love in our relationships. It increases the likelihood of reconciliation and mirrors our relationship with God.”

7. Faith to Move Mountains? What Is the Meaning of Mark 11:23-24?

“Everyone struggles with faith from time to time, even longtime Christians. This is part of being human. Jesus Christ knew this and gave encouraging words to His disciples to describe the power of faith and its impact on their lives. We find this recorded in Mark 11:23-24 . . .

“Doubt kills faith. We should rather have confidence that God will grant our requests, according to His will, in His time and in the manner that is best for us.”

8. What Is the “Image of the Beast”?

“The Bible prophesies about two powers, both described as beasts, that will rise to prominence in the end times. One is a beast that rises from the sea, and the other is a beast that rises from the earth (Revelation 13:1, 11) . . .

“The second beast is described in Revelation 13:11 as ‘another beast’ that has ‘two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.’ . . .

“The Bible tells us that this religious power sets up an ‘image of the beast’ and deceives people to worship it (Revelation 13:14-15) . . .

“A close look at the Roman Catholic Church shows that it has far more in common with the ancient Roman Empire than it does with the Bible. The Catholic Church has kept many of the practices, customs and imagery of ancient Rome alive into modern times.”

9. What Is the Meaning of John 13:14—“Wash One Another’s Feet”?

“Even though the actual foot washing happens only once a year, the foot-washing mindset—a mindset of humility and service—ought to be a continual, year-round habit . . .

“Serving others takes humility and effort. Our human nature naturally leads us to put our needs first, before the needs of others.

“That’s why being mindful of the needs of others takes effort . . .

“The foot-washing mindset keeps us focused on the fact that when we serve our brothers and sisters in the Church, we’re actually serving Jesus Christ—and when we neglect them, we’re actually neglecting Jesus Christ.”

10. What Is the Meaning of James 1:19-20? Slow to Speak? Slow to Wrath?

“James wrote, ‘Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath’ (James 1:19) . . .

“But what exactly does it mean to possess these qualities? What is the meaning of James 1:19-20? . . .

“Contrary to popular belief, anger isn’t an emotion totally outside of our control. Anger is a choice. We must think before we become angry, just as we must think before we speak.”

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Date Posted: January 10, 2024