What Is Forgiveness?

“Then Peter came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT) What is the Lord seeking to teach us about giving and receiving forgiveness? What will we do with that knowledge? How areContinue reading “What Is Forgiveness?”

The Marvel and Majesty of God’s Love

“No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39 NLT) If you’re a believer in and follower of the Lord Jesus, you have personally experiencedContinue reading “The Marvel and Majesty of God’s Love”

What Is Propitiation? (Part 3)

“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.” (1 John 1:9 NLT) It occurred to me that yesterday’s article may have raised more questions than it answered, so let me see if I can explain a couple ofContinue reading “What Is Propitiation? (Part 3)”

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 findContinue reading “What Is Propitiation?”

The Jesus I Love

“Then she knelt behind Him at His feet, weeping. Her tears fell on His feet, and she wiped them off with her hair.” (Luke 7:38a NLT) This is among my favorite stories about Jesus. In verse 37 Luke says of this woman: “When a certain immoral woman from that city heard He was eating there,Continue reading “The Jesus I Love”

Where Were You On 9/11?

“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Matthew 24:44 NLT) On September 11, 2001, all I remember is frantically trying to reach my daughter who lived in New York City, then being glued to the TV with a sense of unbelief once I knewContinue reading “Where Were You On 9/11?”

Who Are You Playing For?

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.’” (Matthew 3:17 NLT) In a recent devotional, Ron Hutchcraft told the story of a young man who was performing his first concert as a pianist. The auditorium was filled with an expectant audience, and at the end theyContinue reading “Who Are You Playing For?”

Why So Many Miss Heaven (Part 2)

“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:14 NLT) A question I’ve often asked over the years is: “Why would anyone not want to go to heaven?” Or, another way to ask a similar question: “Why would anyone want to goContinue reading “Why So Many Miss Heaven (Part 2)”

Keeping Our Eyes on the One Who Is Invisible

“He (Moses) kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.”  (Hebrews 11:27b NLT) What we think about comes about. What we choose as the subject of our focused attention, whether with our eyes, mind and/or heart, becomes, over time, the driving force of our lives. Problems arise whenContinue reading “Keeping Our Eyes on the One Who Is Invisible”

Love and Relationship (Part 1)

“Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 1:9 NLT) A verse like the one above can raise some theological questions that are beyond the focus of this post. WhetherContinue reading “Love and Relationship (Part 1)”