Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. (Ecclesiastes 7:14 NLT) Enjoy Prosperity Prosperity means success, the good life, plenty, comfort, security, and well-being. The first part of King Solomon’s verse above is easy to understand, yet still we manage to forget how the …
What Christ Does with Our Sins (Part 4)
In Jesus, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace….Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God….Jesus loved His church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by …
What Christ Does with Our Sins (Part 3)
Christ Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25) In August 1945, Japan surrendered and ended World …
What Christ Does with Our Sins (Part 2)
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalm …
What Christ Does with Our Sins (Part 1)
Jesus said: Your sins are forgiven….Go in peace….I do not condemn you….Go now and leave your life of sin. (Luke 7:48,50; John 8:11) Even solid Christians sometimes lack assurance of salvation. Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, and C. S. Lewis struggled with doubts. True believers can worry and wonder if God is really reconciled to us. The Lord told …
Christ-like Love: Discuss Without Arguing
Used at Belhaven University and in the class: Christ-likeness—The Fruit of the Holy Spirit Anything which lacks love is worthless in God’s sight and displeasing to Him….This knowledge about which you Corinthians boast, is in the opposite camp to love, for it fills men with arrogance and makes them look contemptuously on their brothers. Love on the other hand moves …
Christ-like Love: Giving and Praying
Used at Belhaven University and in the class: Christ-likeness—The Fruit of the Holy Spirit My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you….And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them….Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with …
Christ-like Love: Listening and Speaking
Used at Belhaven University and in the class: Christ-likeness—The Fruit of the Holy Spirit Our Lord Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”1 Christ brings us eternal life with God through His sinless life, His crucifixion and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His eternal alive-ness, His presence with us, …
Hiding In Jesus
You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance….The Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. (Psalm 32:7; 94:22) A Gifted Hymnwriter William Orcutt Cushing (1823-1902) was raised in a Unitarian family, but through Bible reading, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, …
The Blue Marble Revisited and Peace in Christ
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom….So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand….For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of …