God’s Most Loving Words

“Some people brought to Him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘Be encouraged, My child! Your sins are forgiven.’” (Matthew 9:2 NLT) If you’re a Jesus follower, do you remember the first time He told you your sins were forgiven? On some levels those words haveContinue reading “God’s Most Loving Words”

Death Is Not the Greatest Tragedy

“But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:22-23 NLT) TheContinue reading “Death Is Not the Greatest Tragedy”

Forgiveness and Transformation

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT) God’s design and desire for us is to become a brand-newContinue reading “Forgiveness and Transformation”

Failure and Fullness

“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16 NLT) Failure, like so many areas and activities of our lives, is relative. Some, unfamiliar with the truth behind Jesus’ sacrifice, would dare say He was a failure. After all, a bright, young, Rabbi got Himself murdered on a cross atContinue reading “Failure and Fullness”

The Quietness After the Crash

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, andContinue reading “The Quietness After the Crash”

What’s Eating You?

“While He was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. (Mark 2:2b-3 NLT) Love for someone can cause us to do unusual and unexpected things. Mark shares a story about a paralyzed man who couldn’t get to Jesus on his own, so his friends carried him. CanContinue reading “What’s Eating You?”

Becoming Eyes

“Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!’ The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.” (2 Kings 6:17 NLT) Fear can blind us to the presence of God and His deliveringContinue reading “Becoming Eyes”

Whose Blood Was Shed for Your Sin?

“In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22 NLT) When we’re speaking to someone about the Lord, we don’t always focus our conversation on His shed blood, but implicit in every person’s forgiveness is the sacrifice ofContinue reading “Whose Blood Was Shed for Your Sin?”

Is God Angry With You?

“Then the Lord became angry with Moses. ‘All right,’ He Said. ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you…’” (Exodus 4:14 NLT) This is a rather delicate subject, and I don’t want toContinue reading “Is God Angry With You?”

What Is the Unpardonable Sin?

“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” (Mark 3:28-29 NLT) The context of the above verses is a time early in Jesus’ ministry when He’d been healing people and casting out demons.Continue reading “What Is the Unpardonable Sin?”