Are You Longing for a Heaven Without Jesus?

“In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matthew 5:45 NLT) Have you ever asked someone who isn’t a believer to describe what heaven willContinue reading “Are You Longing for a Heaven Without Jesus?”

Believer or Belonger?

“’And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.’ He said this to indicate how He was going to die.” (John 12:32-33 NLT) Imagine, like Jesus, being the only one of your kind. Talk about being conspicuous! My second mission’s trip was to the beautiful country of Guatemala. WeContinue reading “Believer or Belonger?”

Created for His Glory

“As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” (Galatians 6:14 NLT) Why do you believe you were born? As the population of the world surpassesContinue reading “Created for His Glory”

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”

The Ring of Death

“And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.” (I Thessalonians 3:12 NLT) In Scripture there are literally dozens of “one another” statements such as the one above. Why is that so important? Because being a follower of Jesus isn’tContinue reading “The Ring of Death”

Are You an Evangelical?

“But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, ‘What is He saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!’” (Mark 2:6-7 NLT) I read in a recent BreakPoint article by John Stonestreet and Kasey Leander: “Every two years, Ligonier Ministries works with LifeWay Research to evaluate theContinue reading “Are You an Evangelical?”

Is “Free Will” Really Free?

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let Me.” (Luke 13:34 NLT) While the terms “free will” do not appear in the King James Version of theContinue reading “Is “Free Will” Really Free?”

What Will Hell Be Like?

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT) Think of one of God’s characteristics that means the most to you. God is good, gracious, compassionate, loving, kind, forgiving, tender-hearted, merciful, just, faithful,Continue reading “What Will Hell Be Like?”

A Reason to Be Grateful

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT) Today in America is Thanksgiving Day. As is the case every seven years, it’s also my birthday. I’m turning 75 today, so I have thousands of reasons to be grateful, but supreme in myContinue reading “A Reason to Be Grateful”

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?”