“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”
Tag Archives: Grace
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?”
Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?
“If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children.” (Hebrews 12:8 NLT) Today and tomorrow, I’d like for us to look at three reasons why God allows His children to suffer. But before we do, I’m compelled to address anotherContinue reading “Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?”
The Issue of Sin
“And Jesus said, ‘…Go and sin no more.” (John 811b NLT) A group of men came to Jesus and declared: “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?’” Actually, the law of Moses stated that the woman AND the man should beContinue reading “The Issue of Sin”
The Currency of Heaven
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8 NLT) If you read yesterday’s Post, you may still be asking, “What does this have to do with the benefits of longing for Jesus, of being generous?” And my answer wouldContinue reading “The Currency of Heaven”