Walking With Jesus

What Is Propitiation? (Part 2)

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.” (1 John 2:1a NLT)

We’re picking up here where we left off yesterday.

I can’t speak for you, but after following the Lord for nearly 60 years, my sin is more intolerable to me than ever before. I long to walk more closely to the Lord in every second, trusting His Spirit to protect me and keep me from anything that is unlike Him.

Our unrighteousness/sin is cleansed, and we come to Christ as a brand-new species of being, one that has never existed before. But that doesn’t mean our struggle with sin has ended. There’s a sense in which it’s just begun. Yes, of course, we’re clothed in the righteousness of Christ, so the Father doesn’t see our sin, but only Christ’s righteousness, but does that give us liberty to continue to ignore sin in our lives? Not according to Paul.

Romans 6:1 says: “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” And if we’re not to continue to sin, how should we deal with our ongoing wrongful desires and actions? Forgiveness and cleansing are triggered by confession.

John spells it out for us in 1 John 2:1-2a: “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He Himself is the sacrifice (propitiation) that atones for our sins…” To me, if every sin – past, present, and future – has been forgiven, what’s the fuss? Why should I concern myself with something with which Jesus has already dealt? Because paying for something and receiving something are two different things.

Yes, of course, His atonement paid the penalty for all my sin, but that payment isn’t “activated” in my life until the debt is made. Forgiveness isn’t needed until the sin is committed. Cleansing isn’t needed if every sin to this moment has been forgiven.

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Part of the confusion seems to stem from a misunderstanding of what sin is. According to Scripture, sin is a known violation of a directive of God. In other words, it’s something I knowingly and intentionally DO that God says not to do. Or it’s something I DON’T DO that He clearly says to do. Sins of commission and omission.

In this season of my life, I don’t sin “more or less” every day. I keep very short accounts with God, so when I realize I’ve disobeyed Him, I seek to be made right. I appropriate the grace for His forgiveness of that sin in that moment.

Why is this a big deal? Because there are too many professing believers who, in their carnal mind, see no reason to not sin. Why should they? It’s already been forgiven, right? WRONG! Forgiveness has been appropriated and when needed is available, but God isn’t going to ignore blatant disobedience and habitual, unconfessed sin for which there’s no evidence of repentance.

The writer of the Hebrew letter says in 10:26: “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies.”

In the words of the author of the Hebrew letter: “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) I believe those words are written not only to pre-repentant sinners, but post-professing “believers” who ignore God’s grace and treat it as if it’s a license to follow THEIR will rather than GOD’S will. To me, it closely borders the sin against the Holy Spirit for which there is no forgiveness.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed

What Is Propitiation?

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV)

It never ceases to amaze me and ignite my spirit when I see someone open their heart and life to Jesus for the first time. To find forgiveness of sin and the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit to enable them to turn from their old ways and learn to walk in newness of life. Jesus’ willingness “to be the propitiation of our sins” is the only thing that makes new life in Christ an option for those willing to repent and believe.

Mark 1:15 records Jesus’ first words as He began His earthly ministry when He said: “’The time promised by God has come at last!’ He announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!’” Repentance means to turn from your sin and begin to walk in a new direction as you learn to follow Jesus. Believe means to place your full trust in Jesus, as you’re freed from the shackles of your sin, with faith and commitment to live a life of righteousness and obedience to your new Lord.

Propitiation is Jesus’ willingness to lay down His life as a means of making atonement, to pay the penalty for our sin, and to suffer in our place on the Cross. Jesus’ sacrifice paid the penalty for every sin that would ever be committed by anyone who would at any point in history, prior to His return, repent and place their trust in Him as Savior and Lord. There seems to be some confusion as to what that means.

Some believe and teach that when we’re saved, every sin – past, present, and future – is cleansed and we’re sealed in our new life in Christ forever. In my mind and heart that seems to flow against the current of Scripture.

Jesus is God, so He knew, even as He hung on the Cross, every person who would ever yield their life to Him. He paid the penalty for every sin all of us collectively would ever commit. But not one of my sins, or yours, was forgiven until we sought His forgiveness. And even then, as I understand Scripture, what was forgiven were all our sins to that point.

In 1 John chapter 1, John writes in no uncertain terms that Jesus is eternal life. He doesn’t give eternal life; He IS eternal life. To know Him is to have life, to NOT know Him is to NOT have life. What is the evidence of His life in us? “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” My understanding is “all” in this context means “all for which we’ve sought forgiveness.” Why would I believe that?

The same thought expressed in 1 John 1:7 is continued in verse 8: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” When we become a Christ follower, are we immediately “cleansed,” in the sense that we no longer have to deal with any “wickedness” in our lives?

Let’s pick this up tomorrow.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Joy of the Lord

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 100:1 NLT)

What brings you joy?

The term “joy” is used nearly 300 times in Scripture and the most common meaning is “gladness.” As we look at the joy of the Lord today, I’d like to approach it from a couple perspectives. First, the joy we bring to the Lord. Then, second, the joy the Lord brings to us.

How can we bring joy to the Lord? The Psalms, especially King David’s writings, are filled with joyful expressions of praise and adoration of the Lord. Psalm 100 is one of my favorites and outlines several ways our hearts and lives can bring joy to the Lord.

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For example, the first verse of Psalm 100 instructs us to “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!” The KJV translates verse one as “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” The implication is that you’re so filled with gladness that you’re just making noise, similarly as you would when your favorite team scores the winning point.

There are times when things go so unexpectedly well that it’s as though our body can’t contain all the joy. We don’t have words to give expression to our elation. That’s the kind of joy-filled shouts of praise and thanksgiving that honor and bring joy to our Lord. But, on the other hand, there are times our hearts are so deeply burdened we’re unable to describe the heartache, sadness, and deep, unfulfilled longings that seem they will never be met. In those painful times, while it may only be a whisper, the Father’s heart is filled with joy when we convey our trust in Him even in the darkest valley.

It’s the words of Job when he said: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15a) Anytime we worship the Lord with genuine, heartfelt praise and expressions of joy-filled adoration, we put a smile on our Savior’s beautiful face.

David reminds us that singing with joy blesses the Lord, as well as acknowledging that the Lord is God. Realizing and remembering that “He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Posturing ourselves as “sheep” is to humble ourselves in our own estimation and by so doing, exalt and honor the Lord for His willingness to even take notice of us.

There are dozens of ways to bring joy to the Lord, but I’d like for us to consider a few ways the Lord brings joy to us. Certainly, answered prayer gives rise to praise, thanksgiving, and gladness. When a loved one or friend yields their life and allegiance to Jesus our hearts are full and it’s easy to sense God’s closeness and to experience joy.

But what about when our prayers aren’t answered? We’ve prayed so diligently and with what we believe to be complete faith, yet our loved one dies, the bills aren’t paid, the job doesn’t come through. Again, there are dozens of things that can cause the proverbial bottom to drop out, but are we to conclude when those things happen that God has abandoned us?

One source of great joy to me is the fact that God has promised us that no matter what happens: “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5) I love to worship, whether I’m by myself or among many others. And sometimes those times of worship have been when I’m alone and in deep pain. Those are the moments I cherish the closeness of my Savior. Those are the moments a smile may cross my face in spite of the tears, not because my circumstances have changed, but because my Lord has stationed Himself by my side. HE is my joy! HE is my cause for celebration! His presence means everything, in every moment!

Blessings, Ed 😊

In What Is Your Faith Rooted? (Part 2)

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NLT)

In yesterday’s post we began investigating the “roots” of faith in which many today place their trust for eternal life. We looked briefly at a doctrinal statement that many misunderstand and/or misinterpret as the foundation of their confidence they’re going to heaven. We also looked at Baptism, which does not save anyone at any point in their lives.

Today I’d like to look at a few more ways that many today are being deceived into believing they’re “safe” from judgment, when in fact, they are not.

Another common misunderstanding that leads to deception is our “good works.” There are at least two categories of people who fall prey to Satan’s lies. First, there are many who don’t attend church or even profess faith but believe God will allow them to enter heaven because they are a “good person.” Their goodness is often based on things like being supportive of good causes, paying their bills, not breaking the law, etc. “Good” is essentially defined as not being “bad.” And, honestly, there are some very good people, who do a lot of good things that are still not going to heaven.

Secondly, churches are filled with people who believe their “good works” are gaining them favor with God. Their faith is rooted, not in Christ and all that He accomplished on our behalf, but on their investment in their church. Their schedules are filled with activity – very good activity, helpful, God-honoring activity – but their hearts are far from God. It’s not about Him, it’s about them.

Faith is never produced by good works. Good works are produced by believing faith. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God’s presence in our lives because our faith is rooted in Jesus, not in ourselves.

Closely related to this deception is what I think of as “celebrity” worship. Many churches are packed, not because of Jesus, but because of a “celebrity” preacher. The ministry isn’t built on a solid, Biblical foundation, but on the popularity of the church’s “superstar” pastor. Honestly, this isn’t always the pastor’s fault. Pastors should be loved, but not worshiped.

Some people’s devotion isn’t to the Lord, it’s to their pastor/leader. If you asked them if they “worshiped” their pastor, it would be offensive to them, but their heart is tuned to how they can please the pastor more than how they can please and honor the Lord.

Am I being critical or judgmental? As God is my witness, that isn’t my desire. What I’m seeking to do is be God’s voice to people who are dearly loved by God and who believe they’re going to heaven, when in fact their faith is a mile wide and an inch deep. They have no spiritual root system because their faith is misplaced.

And I can “hear” someone saying: “How can that be? I pray, I tithe, I’m faithful to serve my church, etc.” So did the Pharisees and Sadducees while Jesus walked this earth, but they were also the ones who had Him nailed to the Cross. That’s the terrifying aspect of misplaced faith. It leads us to believe we’re 100% right when we’re actually 100% wrong.

Folks, there is salvation in no other name but Jesus. If you’re trusting anything or anyone else to get you to heaven, your faith is misdirected and you’re heading into a Christless eternity. Please get on your face before almighty God and seek Jesus before it’s eternally too late.

Click on the link below and learn what you need to do to find the only One who can give you what you’re seeking. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed

In What Is Your Faith Rooted?

“Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13:8 NLT)

A few weeks ago, my wife and I took inventory of our plants, seeking to determine which ones survived the blazing summer heat, and which ones needed to be replaced. Having never worked with the Las Vegas soil, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it became glaringly apparent why the plants that died didn’t survive. They had no root systems.

In the parable referenced above, Jesus speaks of four types of ground or soil upon which the “seeds of faith” are planted. In the verses that follow the parable, Jesus gives explanation as to what it meant, with the bottom line being – without deep roots, made possible by fertile and healthy soil, not much, if any fruit will be produced.

How might that translate for us? Over the years, the Lord has given me a heart for those who are lost, those who have never heard or never believed and placed their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. But recently the Lord is showing me how many who profess faith and fill the seats of our churches, are more lost than those who have never believed. How would I know that? It’s evident by the fruit, or lack thereof, their life bears.

In Luke 6:45 Jesus said: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Another way to think about this is, the quality of our fruit depends on the quality of our “root system.” What does that mean? In what is our faith rooted?

For example, I mentioned in a previous article a person who was living in blatant rebellion against God, but believed he was still going to heaven because he was holding on to a doctrinal statement that says: “Once saved, always saved.” His spiritual “root system” isn’t grounded in faith in Jesus, it’s rooted in his faith in a doctrinal statement he’s grossly misunderstood and is misrepresenting.

Another common fallacy many hold onto is Baptism. Many who were baptized as infants believe that they are going to heaven because of that. Infant Baptism is not taught in the Bible. It was an effort on the part of churches to bring some measure of comfort to parents in the event of their child’s death, that the child would go to heaven. To my knowledge, it was never intended to give life-long assurance.

Baptism, according to Scripture, is an adult decision made after a person places their faith and trust in the completed work of Christ on the Cross. In Romans 6 Paul describes Baptism as an outward visible symbol of an inward and invisible act. Its purpose is to give someone who is already a believer, a public means of declaring their new faith in Christ.

Some, by misunderstanding 1 Peter 3:21, believe that their baptism saves them. This verse looks back to Noah and the flood and compares baptism to the flood waters of Noah’s day. But the context clearly shows that it was the Ark that saved them, not the water, and even the second part of the verse says: “It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.“

If you’re placing your hope of eternal life in anything other than faith in the completed work of Christ on Calvary, you need to rethink your position. We’ll look at this more closely in tomorrow’s post.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Eternal Security

“But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” (John 20:31 NLT)

This blog was never intended to be a theological treatise, but a format through which I could share things the Lord has taught me across the years. The reality is, He’s continuing to teach me and open my heart and mind to new or different, understanding of His Word. I’m finding that things I “believed” when I first began my walk with Jesus aren’t an essential part of my theology in this season of my life.

For example, before I met any Pentecostal believers, I would have argued that speaking in tongues was simply another way of saying “speaking other known, historical languages,” as on the day of Pentecost. But 1 Corinthians 14 offers another view, as the word translated “tongues” is not the same word that’s used in other passages of the New Testament.

Similarly, the issue of “Eternal Security” has often confused me at the point of free will. We must exercise our free will in coming to Christ, but what happens to my free will once I’m in relationship with Him? In other words, I have to make the decision to come to Christ, but once I’m a believer do I no longer have free will to make the decision to walk away? Will He honor a person’s “rejection” of Him before they have a relationship with Him, but not after? When is a person truly saved, and when are they not? God alone knows with certainty.

Personally, I can’t conceive of any reason someone who genuinely knows the Lord would want to walk away. But there was obviously free will in the Garden of Eden, and when Adam and Eve exercised their will to disobey God, they were ejected from the Garden. Where does free will begin and end? What’s my point?

Eternal security, as I understand it, is a believer’s assurance that we have, and will always have, eternal life once we’ve repented of our sin and come to Christ by faith. However, the teaching of eternal security, again, as I understand it, was never intended to be, nor can it ever be, a license for an unbeliever to claim salvation in Christ yet continue to live like the devil.

1 John 2:4 says: “If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.” Further, in 2:9: “If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.” Light and darkness are opposites and often in Scripture represent those who are walking with Christ and those who are not.

My earnest plea is for anyone who claims to know the Lord Jesus, but who is continuing to walk in habitual sin, to decide whom you will serve. Jesus was clear that you can’t serve two masters. Time is short, and you don’t want to risk having the Lord say to you: “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

Please check out this brief video by Ron Hutchcraft and yield your life and allegiance to Jesus while you still can. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed

Do You Need to Get Rid of Your “Mistresses?”

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” (James 2:14 NLT)

Many in our churches across America have been deceived by the lying spirit of Satan, into believing they’re saved and on their way to heaven, when in fact they’re on a course that is leading them straight to hell.

If someone believes they’re going to heaven because they said a “prayer,” or parroted words that someone led them to say, and by those things alone believe they’re going to heaven, they may need to reconsider. If they’re not certain of their connection with the Lord, they need to seek God’s forgiveness in their own words, and ask for the Lord’s strength and help in guiding them into a whole new godly direction for their life.

Then, they need to find someone they trust, who by the quality of their life, demonstrates what following Jesus should look like. It can be very helpful if they can ask that person to walk with them in their faith journey. They need to get connected to a church fellowship that honors Christ and teaches the Bible accurately, and learn how to walk with Jesus in submission to His authority.

There’s a brief video that was shown at the men’s conference I mentioned yesterday, entitled Justin and Angela. If you’d like to check it out, just go to youtube.com and type in “Justin and Angela.” It’s about a husband and wife who go out to dinner, but, as it turns out, the wife has also invited a few of her boyfriends. It’s funny on some levels, but it’s also heartbreaking, because it illustrates how we treat the Lord when we’re not fully committed to Him.

In the video Angela tries to explain to Justin, her husband, that she “loves him most,” that he’s “her favorite.” This illustrates our fickle heart when we desire to keep things from our old life, and just add Jesus to the mix. “He loves us no matter what, right? So, surely, He won’t mind.” There’s just one tiny problem – IT’S BLASPHEMOUS!

Exodus 20:3 records God’s words in His first Commandment: “You must not have any other god but Me.” And some would say or think ”I don’t have another god, I just love my job, hobby, family, possessions _______________ (you can fill in the blank). Anything that takes the place of our whole-hearted love for the one true God can become a god! Verse 5 says: “…I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.”

God’s “jealousy” isn’t like ours. His jealousy is based on our need, not His. He’s God, He has no needs. He wants us to love only Him because only He can help us understand and experience what true, selfless love looks and feels like. He alone can give us what our heart longs to have – full acceptance; unwavering, everlasting love; complete satisfaction and wholeness we can’t even begin to imagine; deep devotion that no human relationship can match; forgiveness and a fresh start; healing that enables us to see life with new eyes and to experience life with new emotions and expectations, not only on planet earth, but forever with the Lord on the new earth and the new heaven.

My purpose isn’t to be the proverbial “judge.” I’m not judging anyone except myself. I’m no better than anyone else. All I’m trying to do is hold up the “mirror” of God’s Word and let us see ourselves as God sees us.

Please listen to the Holy Spirit as He draws you to Himself and allows you to either know for sure that you belong to Him (see Romans 8:16) or give you a clear understanding that you don’t. You can’t risk trusting your feelings or “what you’ve always believed.”

You must forsake your “mistresses” before it’s eternally too late.

Blessings, Ed

Are You Saved?

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins.” (Matthew 3:8 NLT)

In a message I heard while attending a recent men’s conference, the speaker explained how vital it is that we understand what “repentance” is. While there, in a conversation, someone spoke of a man he knows who is living in open rebellion against God yet clings to his confidence that he’s going to heaven because he believes “once saved, always saved.” Are your “ears” perked up yet? 😊

The lie that Satan promotes through that widely taught doctrine is that God will overlook all future sin, so it really doesn’t matter how we live. The problem with that conclusion is, saying a prayer doesn’t save us, a broken, contrite heart, evidenced by a changed mind and life does. Am I suggesting grace saves us but works keep us saved? Absolutely not!

The same grace that saves us sustains us. The works that God planned for us to carry out before the foundation of the world aren’t what maintains our relationship with God. Our “works” are what identifies us as God’s child. They’re offered to God out of a grateful heart as an offering to Him for what He did, is doing, and will one day complete for us in glory. Salvation is never dependent upon us. It’s always and only a gift given to us by Christ alone, by faith alone.

So, what is “repentance?” In the original language it means: “a change of mind.” But implied in that change of mind is a change in direction. It’s a military term that speaks of “an about face.” The course of our lives is heading in one direction, but when we meet Jesus, our mind and heart are changed, so much so, it requires a brand-new direction in which our lives must now walk.

To believe mumbling a few words as a result of an emotional experience is going to lock in our eternal destiny is a lie from the depths of hell. Faith in Christ’s completed work on the Cross, illustrated by a changed life – new desires, new direction, new habits, new thoughts, new dependence upon the Holy Spirit to live in and through us, is clear evidence that we’re saved. Jesus becomes our Savior, yes, of course, but He also becomes our Lord, Master, Leader, Teacher, in short, our Life!

One evidence that Christ is our life is wanting what He wants more than what we want for ourselves. What might that look like? If we’re living in disregard to the clear instructions of God’s Word, we need a heart check.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter.” The logical question then becomes – “What does it mean to do the will of God?” While it might look a little different for each believer, the premise is the same for all of us. Obedience to the Lord’s directives in our lives.

Paul wrote in Romans 6:16: “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” To live in open rebellion against the clear instructions of God’s Word should be a wake-up call. Saved people are constantly seeking to obey God’s Word as a rule of life, not looking for more ways to sin.

Can we still sin? Of course, but that should be the exception, not the rule (see 1 John 2). John wrote in 1 John 5:1: “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” And please don’t misunderstand. To “believe” here means “to commit one’s trust to.” It means to place the weight of faith on the truth of who Jesus is and what He did on our behalf. It’s not merely an intellectual assent. James 2:19 reminds us: “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.”

We’ll look at this more closely tomorrow, Lord willing.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Do People Say About You?

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.” (Matthew 5:11 NLT)

When my then 16-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, I got several cards and notes letting me know that people were praying for us. That was a blessing as we were struggling to make sense of what was happening and how to navigate through something neither of us had faced before. But I also received a letter that was not signed that essentially said: “You’re the reason your son is sick.” That was NOT helpful, especially considering my recent divorce from my son’s mom, that I didn’t want.

Guilt and shame filled my heart and mind and I wondered if it was true. Thankfully, God had placed in my life godly men and women with whom I could share freely about the letter and how I felt. They prayed for me and counseled me to trust God and not allow Satan to bind my spirit through one of his lies.

It doesn’t help me when someone tells me what I did or am doing wrong, especially if their motive is wrong. If a trusted brother comes to me and points out something that is offensive to him or others, while it might sting a bit, I will listen out of my respect for them. God sometimes uses others to correct or guide us in the paths of righteousness. But most of the time, no one knows better than me what I’m doing wrong. The Holy Spirit is very good and kind in pointing out the things in my heart and life that are displeasing to the Lord.

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When I was a small boy my Uncle Ed would pull me up on his lap and tell me and everyone within earshot, what a good boy I was. I knew, and I suspect he knew too, that I wasn’t a good boy. When my mom wasn’t happy with me, she would sometimes refer to me (in the most affectionate way 😊) “You little hellion!” But when others would brag on me, even if I didn’t feel I deserved it, there was a part of me that was drawn to wanting to be “that” person. It inspired and encouraged me to become more than I might believe I could become.

What’s my point? It’s easy to see the things that are wrong in someone else. Why do you think that is? It’s called “projection.” We often project onto others the wrong we can’t face in ourselves. So, we quickly point out in others the very things with which we wrestle in our own lives but can’t muster the faith and/or courage to do anything about them.

As hard as it might be at times, make it a habit to call out the good things that you see in others. A brother in the Lord called me the other day. Someone had told him he shouldn’t be leading a group, that he didn’t know enough of the Bible. The “truth” is, he does need to dig into the Bible more intentionally, but it’s also true that he’s a born leader. He can motivate and draw men to the Lord and to his group like I was never able to do. And that’s what I told him. I also was able to give him some guidance in the importance of reading and studying the Bible, and praying (which he asked me about).

We don’t need to hear what we aren’t or can’t do. We need to be reminded that we’re God’s child and nothing is impossible for us. And there’s no better environment for this to happen than in our families. Yes, of course, if I wanted to get really picky, I could probably find one or two things I could nitpick my wife about. But I’d much rather brag about the hundreds of godly qualities she has. I’d rather tell her how beautiful she is; how smart she is; how powerfully God is using her in so many ways to bless others and honor Him.

Life is too short to waste our breath speaking words that aren’t uplifting, encouraging, reinforcing what God is doing in and through those we love the most. Brag on those you love. Let God’s love so flow in and through you that others are called to love and honor the Lord you love and serve.

Blessings, Ed 😊

He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

“He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.” (Matthew 28:6a NLT)

We hope for a lot of things, don’t we? We hope it doesn’t rain on our picnic. We hope our children don’t get sick or we don’t get stuck in traffic. But you know what? That’s little more than wishful thinking.

Robert C. Crosby wrote: “Life is full of dyings of all sorts and of new awakenings, of chapters closing and new ones opening. There is almost a rhythm to the process. Dark Fridays and bright Sundays. Shattered dreams and hopes fulfilled. Things dying and others coming to life.”

While in that maddening period between when my wife announced she was leaving and the court appearance when the final nail would be pounded into the coffin of our once vibrant marriage, my wife called and asked if we could meet for lunch.

Over lunch she explained that the relationship between her and the man for whom she left me was now over. My heart was thrilled, so I asked: “Does that mean there’s a chance we can still work things out?” To which she responded rather matter-of-factly: “No! What gave you that idea?” Hope anticipated became hope shattered in a heartbeat. For what are you hoping on this Resurrection Sunday?

Hope, at its core, is a Person. Jesus is the Hope, the only Hope of this fallen world, but He’s so much more. To know Jesus is to live with confidence that whatever life throws at us, we have someone strong and capable to help us deal with it. He loves us so much He gave His life to prove it and He overcame death and the grave through the power of the same Holy Spirit who empowers us to live boldly and triumphantly from day to day.

My divorce crippled me on many levels for a while. It took time to heal and to learn to risk loving someone again. Each of us, if we’ve lived any length of time, has been hurt, disappointed, crushed by the circumstances of life.

Though this is a joy-filled day for those of us who know, love, and are following the risen King, some reading these words, and millions across our broken world, are dying inside, praying for a resurrection of new life. Why is Jesus’ triumph over darkness and the grave so important for you to grasp? Because the hope He gives is not only for a new life here on earth, but a new, joy-filled eternity with Him in heaven.

There’s at least one thing I know about you, even if we’ve never met. What’s that, you may wonder? I know with certainty that what has you bound can and one day will be a distant memory if you’ll place your faith and trust in the only One who has power to release you.

While our hope in Jesus can, and for many of us does, satisfy our every need in this life, there are still things that we will carry with us to the grave. Heartache, pain, physical, emotional, mental, financial, and relational issues with which we’ve wrestled for years. Though we’ve begged God to heal and/or remove them, they persist. Why?

Because our final triumph as believers will never be fully realized until we see Jesus face to face. Then we’ll lie prostrate at His feet in worship and honor and thanksgiving. Why? Because in that moment we’ll be perfect in every way and, for the very first time we’ll realize our Risen Lord is the reason we’ll never have to deal with any of those issues again for all eternity.

HALLELUJAH! WHAT A SAVIOR!

Blessings, Ed 😊