July 27, 2022
FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE GOSPEL Faith requires something to believe. It needs an object as it’s anchor. It’s not so much the amount, nor the quality of faith that matters. It’s the reality and quality of the object of one’s faith that counts. The more dependable and true the object, the more faith is
July 24, 2022
TRUSTING GOD’S GOOD PURPOSE FOR US Are you facing a time of difficulty and wondering where God is today? Have you gone through a time of suffering and questioning how God can possibly allow it, much less, use it? Or maybe you’re filled with shame because of your past sins and poor choices and you
July 23, 2022
PRESENT SUFFERING COMPARED TO ETERNAL GLORY We have been given the Spirit of Christ to abide in us, so that we have help in the present and hope for the future. Yet our bodies, and indeed all creation, groans in this present age of sorrow and suffering, while we await this future glory. Yet the
July 22, 2022
NO CONDEMNATION IN JESUS The phrase “those who belong to” in the translation of this verse is actually much more simply stated in the original Greek. It is literally: “Now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” But what does it mean to be “in” Christ? Certainly, it must mean to “belong” to Him. Yet, perhaps the
July 21, 2022
THE NEW WAY OF LIVING It is impossible to serve and please God by following a checklist. Legalism does not please God as it only reveals our unrighteousness and prideful hearts. For the harder we try to keep the law, the more the law reveals our shortcomings. But the “new way of living” is not
July 20, 2022
WAGES ARE EARNED BUT GIFTS ARE RECEIVED The word translated “wages” was used to denote a Roman soldier’s pay during Paul’s time. So, “wages” are earned. Since we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23), we have all earned death. Death is the just desert for a life of sin. This death is not only the death
July 19, 2022
GOD’S LOVE REVEALED Which is better love spoken or love shown? Yet, God has done both through Christ Jesus. For He is the Word, the Logos, the greatest and fullest communication of God’s love to us. He is love written in the flesh. Christ is God’s Word of love spoken to us. And Christ is
July 18, 2022
HOPING AGAINST HOPE When there was no physical or circumstantial reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping in God’s promise. As the KJV has it: “Who against hope believed in hope.” What is hope? It is the feeling of expectation that a desirable outcome will take place in the future. But Abraham had more than just
July 17, 2022
IS YOUR RECORD CLEARED? Paul quoted David’s psalm, Psalms 32:1-2, to support his explanation that being made right with God is not by works, but by faith alone. When we place our faith in Christ and receive forgiveness and salvation, His blood not only covers our sin, it washes it away. Our “record” is “cleared.”
July 16, 2022
SIN IS MISSING THE MARK AND ALL HAVE MISSED IT All humanity has missed the mark of God’s righteousness. Therefore, all humanity falls short of being able to get right with God by our own effort. For even our best efforts are as “filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6) before the Lord. The word “sin” seems to