Ransom Hill Ministries International

  Faith is at the heart of the Christian life. It is the foundation of our relationship with God, the driving force behind our prayers, and the key to walking in His promises. The Bible gives us a clear picture of what faith is, how it works, and how speaking in faith can shape our lives. Let’s look at what it means to live by faith and how we can grow in it daily. What is Faith? The Bible defines faith simply but powerfully. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is believing and trusting in God even when we can’t see the outcome. It is the confidence that God’s promises are true, even if our circumstances suggest otherwise. Faith isn’t just wishful thinking – it’s a firm trust in the character and Word of God. Characteristics of Biblical Faith 1. Trust in God’s Character Faith begins by knowing who God is – trustworthy, faithful, and true to His Word. Abraham believed God’s promise even when it seemed impossi...

Faith is often described as a journey, a gift, or a belief – but have you ever considered faith as a discipline? Much like the dedication of an athlete, artist, or skilled professional, faith requires consistent, intentional effort to grow and thrive. It’s not something that happens by accident or mere inspiration. Just as professionals sharpen their skills daily, believers are called to cultivate their faith with focus, perseverance, and commitment. Faith Requires Training and Preparation A professional doesn’t reach excellence overnight. They engage in daily training, even when it feels repetitive or mundane. Faith operates the same way – it grows as we commit to prayer, reading Scripture, and worship regularly. Paul encourages believers to approach their spiritual growth with the same intentionality as physical training: "Exercise yourself toward godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7). Faith thrives when we make room for spiritual disciplines. Just as muscles grow stronger with exer...

Several passages in the Bible reflect the spirit of gratitude to God for the Holy Spirit as the fulfillment of God’s promise and an incredible gift to believers. There are key verses that highlight this truth. The following verses and prayers reflect the heart of gratitude for the Holy Spirit as the fulfillment of the Father's promise and the gift that sustains and empowers us daily. 1. Highlights the Holy Spirit as a precious gift from the Father that should prompt thankfulness for God’s generosity if we have received Him. "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). 2. Jesus expresses the Father’s intentional gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise should naturally stir gratitude in our hearts. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth." (John  14...

The Bible paints a vivid portrait of hypocrisy, exposing it as a dangerous condition of the heart that stands in stark contrast to sincerity and true righteousness. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly addresses the traits and behaviors of hypocrites, warning His followers to pursue genuine faith and integrity. Here are ten defining characteristics of hypocrites according to the Bible. 1. Outward Righteousness Without Inner Transformation "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27-28) Hypocrites are masters of appearance. They prioritize looking holy and righteous before others while neglecting the state of their hearts. Jesus likens them to tombs—polished on the outside but decaying within. 2. Harsh Judgment of Others While Committing the Same Sins "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pas...

  LADDER OF  WISDOM  The purpose of a ladder is to climb heights. A ladder is made up of many rungs. See wisdom as the ladder of life. You can climb as high as you want in life with wisdom. But the fear of the Lord is the first rung in the ladder called wisdom. Another way of saying that is this: the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. The Bible says it best: "The fear of the LORD is the BEGINNING of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) It is the fear of the Lord that opens us up to the other glorious steps in the wisdom ladder. Without it, you are climbing nowhere. When you appear to be climbing without the fear of the Lord, you are only heading for a great fall. Lord, have mercy! When you have the fear of the Lord, God Himself will arrange to see that you have every wisdom you need for your deliverance, guidance, and growth. That was the testimony of Cornelius the Centurion, as seen in Acts Chapter 10: "A devout man, and ON...