I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. (Isaiah 44:22 ESV) Amazon Alexa I don’t have Alexa, the voice-controlled device, but I read that it has a surprising feature. It can erase everything you say. Whatever you have asked Alexa to do, whatever information you’ve asked …
Christ Is Everything: Our Living Hope
In Matthew 28, Jesus had already been raised from the dead. But the women did not know that yet and came to His gravesite. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where …
Christ Is Everything: Jesus the Capstone
Lord, thank you for responding to me. You’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted—let’s celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God—a free and full life! (Psalm 118:21-25 …
Christ Is Everything: Resurrection Reality
Jesus said, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18) This builds on a previous post. You can read Christ Is Everything: I Need Him Our Historical Foundation Remember what we believe: God the Son became human through His miraculous …
Christ Is Everything: I Need Him
In Christ all the richest treasures of divine wisdom (insight into God’s ways and purposes) are stored up and safely kept. Jesus is the key who opens all the riches of spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. (Colossians 2:3, my expanded paraphrase) Introduction. I providentially stumbled onto the song, “Christ Is Everything; I Need Him.” I don’t know the author, but if …
Approved in Jesus: Christ Salvages Us
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up….Never get tired of doing good. (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thess 3:13) The Lord Jesus never promises us an easy time in following Him, only a safe arrival. We do believe in eternal security, but not in presumption. …
Approved in Jesus: Preserved and Persevering
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test [having been approved by God], that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12) This post builds upon our previous post Approved in Jesus: Justification and Sanctification. In Romans 16:10, Apelles is approved in Christ (ESV). …
Approved in Jesus: Justification and Sanctification
Jesus will say: Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21) One of you asked: “Paul writes in Romans 16:10, ‘Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.’ (ESV) What does that mean? Aren’t all believers approved in …
Christ our Treasure (Expanded)
In Christ Are Hidden All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge. (Colossians 2:3) We can also appreciate Jesus’ value by studying His many names in Scripture. You may also like Christ’s Wonderful Names, Part 1 and Part 2 and God’s Wonderful Gift, Part 1 and Part 2. Jesus is Wiser Than Solomon In Old Testament times, King Solomon had God-given encyclopedic insight …
Naomi: Hero of Faith
Return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually….Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord….Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the …