"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1   Have you ever pondered the seemingly contradictory concept of a "living sacrifice"? It's a phrase that can be perplexing at first glance. How can something be both alive and sacrificed? In Romans 12:1, Paul...  Read More

"But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." - Hebrews 10:12-14   As we dive into the concept of sacrifice, it's essential to ponder two crucial questions: What did Jesus do for us, an...  Read More

"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." - Colossians 3:4   When we contemplate the essence of sacrifice, one fundamental truth emerges: Jesus desires not just a portion of our lives, but the entirety of who we are. He doesn't settle for fragments; He longs to be the very core of our existence. Colossians 3:4 affirms this, declaring that Christ is not ...  Read More

"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." - Genesis 22:12   As we reflect on the profound story of Abraham and Isaac, we're confronted with a challenging question: What are we withholding from God? In Genesis 22, we witness Abraham's unwavering faith and obedience as he prepares...  Read More

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied." - Genesis 22:1   When the word "sacrifice" is mentioned, it invariably brings to mind the poignant tale of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22. This narrative doesn't just illustrate the concept of sacrifice; it delves into the depths of faith, trust, and obedience. At the outset of this account, God calls upon...  Read More

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1   In reflecting on the concept of sacrifice, I couldn't shake the feeling that there might be more to it than I initially understood. As we recently journeyed through the Christmas season a few months back, i...  Read More

"Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." - Isaiah 43:7   Have you ever paused to ponder why God created you? The Bible provides a clear answer: God created us with the intention that our lives would bring glory to Him. In Isaiah 43:7, the LORD declares that everyone who bears His name is created for His glory. It's a profound truth that shapes the v...  Read More

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16   No matter where you are in life, every day is an opportunity to start new. It's not merely about rewinding the tape and dwelling on the past. It's about seizing the opportunity to reevaluate where we are and reestablish where we want to go. Ephesia...  Read More

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12  In the journey of life, one fundamental truth stands firm: because of Jesus, we have the incredible privilege of belonging to God. Through Jesus Christ, we not only have the opportunity to know God but also to be known by Him, to be forgiven and accepted as His beloved chi...  Read More

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." – Galatians 5:16-17   If you’re tuning in today for the first time, or for the first time in a while, I’d encourage you to go back to ...  Read More

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:26-27   Today, let's explore the second reason why people end up in hell...  Read More

"Go now and leave your life of sin." - John 8:11   We spent a good amount of time earlier in the month discussing the reality of hell. And in the midst of that discussion, I didn’t want to skip over talking about the reasons why people end up going to hell. There are three specific reasons I want us to look at. We’ll discuss the first reason today and then move on to the other two reasons over the...  Read More