“I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.” (2 Peter 3:17 NLT) Even in the early days of the Christian Faith there were those who twisted the truth of ScriptureContinue reading “Where’s Your Security?”
Tag Archives: Grace
Grace and Karma
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17 KJV) If you’ve been around church very long you’ve probably heard grace defined as “God’s undeserved gift of love or kindness,” which is right, it’s just incomplete. To seek to define grace fully is like trying to defineContinue reading “Grace and Karma”
When We Get Honest
“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” (Luke 8:15 NLT) Nothing of eternal value is ever gained dishonestly. Lying to ourselves or others about the things of God, whether it relates to our daily disciplines asContinue reading “When We Get Honest”
Are “White Lies” Okay?
“And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:10 NLT) Some of the most unforgettable and irreparable damage we do for the Kingdom of God is caused by using words, the negative effects of which, we give little or no thought.Continue reading “Are “White Lies” Okay?”
God’s Commands
“You are My friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14 NLT) My wife and I have two dogs – a full-blooded Pug and a “Heinz 57” rescue. Zoe, our Pug, is very “food-oriented.” What does that mean? It means she lives to eat. She’ll do most anything I ask as long as IContinue reading “God’s Commands”
Perfection
“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48 NLT) The only two people I’ve ever known who are perfect are Jesus and my wife. Jesus is God, so that explains why He’s perfect in every way. My wife is perfect to me because she was God’s choiceContinue reading “Perfection”
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?”
Are You Amazed?
“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16 NLT) What amazes you? “Amaze” is a word we use often, yet I’m not sure we understand what it means. According to Merriam-Webster it means: “to overwhelm with wonder; astound; astonish, surprise.” Philip Yancey’s book entitled What’s So Amazing About Grace?Continue reading “Are You Amazed?”
What Does It Mean to Die to Sin?
“Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” (Romans 6:2 NLT) Sin is a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional issue that can easily be misunderstood and/or misrepresented. On some levels it’s very straightforward, but the plot thickens because God alone knows our heart and can know with certainty whether we’ve sinned orContinue reading “What Does It Mean to Die to Sin?”
Why Do We Have Communion and Baptism?
“This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me.” (Luke 22:19b NLT) Today’s post began as a letter to an inmate who was wrestling with why Jesus would introduce Communion (The Lord’s Supper) and Baptism. He seemed to think Jesus’ whole point was to do away with the law andContinue reading “Why Do We Have Communion and Baptism?”
Walking With Jesus 