Defend my cause and redeem me. Preserve my life according to your promise….You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 119:154, 32:7) Are You Safe? The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago, Illinois, is the third tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. It is 108 stories tall, soaring …
Full Atonement: Can It Be? (Part 2)
Jesus Christ had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17) Last time we began to look at the hymn “Hallelujah! What a Savior” by Philip Bliss (1838–1876). …
Full Atonement: Can It Be? (Part 1)
All Jesus’ followers are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood,…so as to be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26) Philip Bliss and His Hymn The Scripture above reminds me of a line …
Jesus: Our Everlasting Father (Part 1)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and …
God’s Deep, Deep Love
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. (1 John 4:16) His Love is Perfect God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) wants us to rely, depend, believe in His love for us. He wants us to have faith, trust, and confidence in …
Every Christian’s Benefit Package (Part 3)
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. (Psalm 34:1-2) Regaining Perspective One Bible study teacher taped a large piece of paper on the board and made a black dot in the center with a marking pen. Then he asked …
Every Christian’s Benefit Package (Part 2)
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2) We are to adore and love the Lord for all His benefits. This includes not only the forgiveness of sins, but also the lifting of shame. God bends down to love lowly and unclean …
Every Christian’s Benefit Package (Part 1)
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2) In Bible times and now, God’s people sometimes feel hard-pressed on all sides—squeezed, crushed, puzzled, depressed, depleted, anxious, persecuted, abandoned, abused, struck down, and about to be destroyed. But Jesus promises that He gives …
Jesus: Our Perfect Elder Brother
Both Christ who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly, I will sing your praises…I will put my trust in Him…Here am I, and the children God …
Elder Brother Syndrome
Jesus warned: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven….Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, …