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The distinguishing truth of Christianity is this, God saves us by faith through faith in Jesus Christ.

Salvation is a gift, Jesus Christ himself.

It is not something we earn through works.

We receive Jesus through faith.

Sadly, many people hear the story of God’s grace, but they do not combine the message with faith.

That is what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness.

The writer of Hebrews put it like this.

“The good news came to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.”

Here is the promise to those who do believe.

They enter God’s rest.

So today, be grateful for the gift you have received and rest in God’s love and grace.

Categories: Faith Jesus Christ

One of the saddest stories in the Bible concerns Israel’s rebellion toward God in the wilderness.

It doesn’t make sense.

God rescued and liberated from Egyptian bondage. It was a miraculous story.

One in which they experienced God’s favor and love.

So much so they readily said to God, “All you have commanded, we will do.”

But instead, they rebelled and fell away from the living God.

The writer of Hebrews says that it was because of their evil, unbelieving hearts.

And that generation did not enter into God’s rest.

God had prepared everything for them. All they had to do was enter in.

Well, here’s the good news, God has done everything for you in Christ. So today, say thank you and enter into God’s rest by faith.

Categories: Faith

What is your greatest fear?

For most people, public speaking tops the list.

But there is a fear that ensnares all of us — the fear of death.

We don’t talk about this fear much. It just sits in the background of our lives.

But it is there, and it’s real.

Because we know that once we die we will face judgment.

And that’s what we really fear. But we don’t have to.

Jesus took away our sins once and for all. And he destroyed the one who has power over death.

So in him the judgment is eternal life.

Rest in this truth and you will break free from that fear of death.

Categories: Jesus Christ New Covenant

Every believer wants a deeper more meaningful relationship with Jesus.

Let’s face it, we want to grow in our faith.

But how?

Where do we start?

Let me make a bold statement. If you don’t have the basics right, you will never grow and mature as a believer.

I mean… can you go deeper into the love of God if you don’t understand the cross, the place where God demonstrated His love for you?

We need to get the basics right.

So let me encourage you today, stand firm in the grace of God.

Rejoice that your sins have been forgiven.

And that Christ is alive living in you.

As you do you will experience the riches of Christ’s life like never before.

Categories: Jesus Christ Love New Covenant Grace

The writer of Hebrews starts the letter with these words.

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke.”

Think about that.

God spoke to us.

In times past, his word was given by the prophets.

But now he is speaking to us, to you, by his Son.

Did you hear that?

God is speaking to you through Jesus about, as the writer of Hebrews describes it, “such a great salvation.”

It is a word urging you to rest in the finished work of the cross and to take hold of your new and abundant life in Jesus.

It’s a word that says draw near and receive grace and mercy in your time of need.

His word to you by Jesus is good news.

Categories: Jesus Christ Love New Covenant

An angry mob seized Stephen and brought him before the council.

This man, they said, speaks blasphemous words against Moses and God.

Well in his defense, Stephen delivered a stinging history of Israel beginning with Abraham.

Stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears, always resisting the Holy Spirit.

That was Israel.

And just like they did with the prophets, they betrayed and murdered the Righteous One.

The ones who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.

At this the council dragged him outside the city and stoned him.

In his last breath, he cried out, “do not hold this sin against them”.

Here is the good news. God does not hold your sins agains you.

Categories: Grace Jesus Christ New Covenant

What’s all the fascination with angels?

Well, it’s nothing new.

Mankind has been fascinated with angelic beings since the beginning.

But there is someone greater.

His name is Jesus.

God’s one and only son.

These angels that we are so fascinated with bow at his feet and worship him.

The writer of Hebrews gives us seven reasons why.

This Jesus is the heir of all things.

And it was through him all things were created.

He is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact imprint of his nature.

He upholds the universe by his power

He made purification for our sins

And he sits at God’s right hand.

Maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at Jesus.

And become fascinated with him.

Categories: Jesus Christ

All the seniors were gathered in the auditorium to decide the theme for the senior prom.

Strawberry Fields Forever, that was my idea, my vision.

And I was going to pitch it that morning.

When I had the opportunity to speak, I froze.

What if my friends hated my idea, or laughed at me.

My friend Tom kept nudging me to stand and speak.

I just sat there in silence, handcuffed by fear.

It wasn’t a good day for me.

Later on in life, I learned that perfect love casts out all fear.

That it gives you the courage and freedom to get in the game instead of sitting on the sideline.

Let me encourage you today to take a fresh look at the perfect love of God.

It will help you punch your fears in the face and learn to truly live.

Categories: Christian Living Faith Hope

Leaders lead in one of two ways.

They either rule over people and use people to further their own selfish ambitions.

They power-hungry leaders often, as we have seen in the headlines lately, take advantage and abuse those in their charge.

The second group leads by serving.

Jesus explained this way of leadership to his disciples.

“whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…"

Now the difference gets down to your view of people.

One sees people as objects to use for his or her personal gain.

The other sees that all people possess infinite worth in the sight of God.

As a believer in Christ. Take the lead on this front and show the world that caring and serving those on your team is the best way to lead.

Categories: Christian Living Love

In 2016 over 4 1/2 billions hours were spent watching porn.

And that was on one porn site.

As Matt Walsh wrote in his article, We’re a Nation of Porn Addicts, this adds up to over 500 thousand years worth of porn consumed in the span of 12 months.

Sadly, as Walsh explains, “the porn watching experience is by design – empty, hollow and dehumanizing.”

In other words porn lies about the value of human beings.

But the Gospel tells a different story. Christ declared with power and authority, that every person matters and that every person has infinite worth in God’s sight.

It’s a the truth that will reshape your thinking and move you to treats others as God does.

Categories: Hope New Covenant Jesus Christ