The Joy of Cross-Bearing

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrew 12:2 NLT) Have you ever done something you don’t like to doContinue reading “The Joy of Cross-Bearing”

Are You Clinging to the Cross?

“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’” (Mark 10:21 NKJV) There’s a story that Mark shares in chapter 10Continue reading “Are You Clinging to the Cross?”

Why Give?

“When the Roman officer who stood facing Him saw how He died, he exclaimed, ‘This man truly was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39 NLT) Giving, in whatever form it may occur, if it’s done in an effort to do good, blesses the heart of God. The story that Jesus tells in Matthew 25 regardingContinue reading “Why Give?”

The Path of Blessing

“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost.” (Luke 14:27-28a NLT) The path of blessing at times may seem elusive, yet over and over in Scripture it is clearly outlined. For example, in His sermon on the MountContinue reading “The Path of Blessing”

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?”

The Price of Love

“So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to Him but a few days.” (Genesis 29:20 NLT) Love, like faith, is in many ways an intangible. It becomes visible only when acted upon. How many times a day do we tell someone thatContinue reading “The Price of Love”

Loving Without an Agenda

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, isContinue reading “Loving Without an Agenda”

Has God Fallen Off His Throne?

“But to the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.’” (Hebrews 1:8 NLT) When we’re in the midst of a “storm” it seems it will never end. A mountain of debt, physical issues that seem only to worsen, relational strain that continues to intensify,Continue reading “Has God Fallen Off His Throne?”

What’s the Cost?

“But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.” (Matthew 14:6-7 NLT) Have you ever expressed your intent to commit to something before you knew the cost? I have, and it cost me more than IContinue reading “What’s the Cost?”

Why Stick With the Church?

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” (Romans 12:4-5 NLT) The Covid Virus was allowed to compound an already existing problem when the government chose to refer toContinue reading “Why Stick With the Church?”