How do you build your life on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? By holding on to something that is secure and immovable. That's why Paul says, "[S]tand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Those teachings—the Truth of the Gospel, the foundation of the Christian faith as it was handed to us from ...
Read More
…Take care to recognize the order and magnitude of blessings mentioned in these verses. First, the Creator God of all has selected us to be His own. Second, because of His ownership of us, He has declared us to be holy, just as He is holy. Third, He has adopted us into His family by His predetermined knowledge. And finally, as Christians, we are bound for heaven, and that is ...
Read More
Many teach the importance of a second blessing from God or the need for a special anointing. However, this is inconsistent with the Gospel. When we believe in Jesus, we are given everything we need for life and godliness including the fullness of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:3-4; Ephesians 1:3, 13-14).
Read More
There’s nothing subtle about alarms. All potential distractions melt into oblivion when a blaring siren commands our focus. By design, they drown out all other noises and demand our attention. In the same way, when the apostle John heard the voice of the glorified Christ on Patmos, it was startling, arresting, and commanding.
Read More
Every member of our family finds security and comfort in the familiar ebb and flow of daily life. The predictable patterns of our activities work in sync with our body’s internal rhythms to provide the framework of mental wellbeing. However, when new situations interrupt the rhythms of our life, our biological rhythms get out of sync, or additional stresses pop up, we can find our mental health wavering. We wonder, ...
Read More
Never bring up mistakes of the past. Stop criticizing others or it will come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. – Luke 6:37
Read More
I'm really good at worrying. Nope, not proud to admit that. But it seems like there are so many things to get anxious about. Whether it's poverty, wars, gas prices, inflation, that awful health diagnosis, or a friend grieving the loss of a parent, there's a lot to worry about. When someone I love is in crisis – one of my parents, a friend, or one of my 11 nieces ...
Read More