“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). Becoming a Christian is not about self-improvement. It is an invitation to come and die, that we might be born again. It is not incremental nor partial, but
“We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you” (2 Corinthians 4:14 NLT). “We know.” This is how Paul described that our faith is based on the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus. We look at this fact, believing it,
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). Our message is not about us, but about our Lord. For we are like fragile clay
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 43:5 NLT). There are at least two ways of understanding this Scripture. The first is to view the psalmist as truly questioning the source of his feelings
“My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep” (Job 30:31 NLT) The grief that covered Job like a cloud affected even his ear for music. The harp, a stringed instrument, was often employed by David to lighten the mood of King Saul. It was an instrument used in worship and in
“For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23:11-12 NLT). Job lived during the time of the patriarchs, before the written Word was given through Moses. Yet he knew the
“How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!” (Job 21:34 NLT). On top of all of Job’s grief he had to suffer the futile comfort of his so-called friends. Job had lost his children, his wealth and even his own health, yet those who came to pay their respects had no
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!” (Job 19:25-26 NLT). Long before Christ came to redeem us from our sin, Job already looked for such a “Redeemer.” Job placed
“Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle” (Job 14:14 NLT). The grief-stricken Job asked, “Is there life after death?” Or more specifically, “Is there a resurrection of the dead?” Those facing the grief of death have joined Job throughout the centuries asking the same
“If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together” (Job 9:33 NLT). Job viewed God as so great and transcendent as to be unapproachable by man. For God worked in the realm of the heavens and the stormy seas, while man was limited to dry ground. He reasoned that if