“As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation – a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.” 2Continue reading “The Pain of the Empty Seat”
Tag Archives: salvation
Are You a Grace Graduate?
“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (John 1:16 NLT) If you’ve been around people of God very long you’ve no doubt heard them use the word “grace” numerous times. Strong’s Concordance translates “grace” as: “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness.” A common definition among believers is:Continue reading “Are You a Grace Graduate?”
When You’re Most Like Jesus
“He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” (1 Peter 2:23 NLT) What is your highest and holiest desire? When you’re alone with God and He’s filling your mind and heart, what becomes your highest aim?Continue reading “When You’re Most Like Jesus”
No Regrets
“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow.” (2 Corinthians 7:10a NLT) As you view your life, what do you most regret? Was it something you did that you now wish you hadn’t done? Or wasContinue reading “No Regrets”
The Irony of Christmas
“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” (Luke 2:6-7 NLT) Have you ever been lost? The lastContinue reading “The Irony of Christmas”
The Joy of Belonging
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.” (Psalm 51:10-12 NLT) The joy of belonging begins in earnest whenContinue reading “The Joy of Belonging”
What’s the First Step?
“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinkingContinue reading “What’s the First Step?”
Holiness Lives
“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – trulyContinue reading “Holiness Lives”
Who Decides?
“At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death.” (Luke 7:2 NLT) Great problems can lead to great outcomes, it just depends on who’s deciding the outcome. In the story above a Roman officer has a slave who is very ill and, upon hearing Jesus has healed others,Continue reading “Who Decides?”
Are You Living Forgiven (Part 2)
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11 NLT) From the outset, let’s be clear, Paul is not advocating the salvation of all people in the verse above, he’s saying the salvation Jesus earned for us on the Cross is available to all people. Then in the versesContinue reading “Are You Living Forgiven (Part 2)”
Walking With Jesus 