God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, sending Jesus Christ, His Messiah, to suffer and be raised from the dead to save us. Now we are to turn away from our old ways of thinking, being, and doing and re-turn to God, so that our sins may be wiped out and that times of refreshing may come …
New Every Morning is God’s Love (Part 1)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24) God is Love 1 John 4:8 says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” …
Jesus Our Defender and Protector
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 …
Trust and Obey
You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. (Psalm 119:4) Obedience Better Than Carefulness Aretta Loving served with Wycliffe Bible Translators for fifty-seven years. One day as she was washing her breakfast dishes, she saw Jimmy, the five-year-old neighbor, coming toward her back porch. She had just finished painting the porch handrails and they needed to dry. …
Power for Living
God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20) Over President’s Day weekend, Winter Storm Uri hit Texas and other parts of the USA with record setting low temperatures. Millions of people lost electricity, water, and heat. It reminded me of a story told …
God Leads in Troubling Times
Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:1-3) I was helped on this post by a sermon by Derek Thomas that I heard …