January 19, 2023“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:34Throughout Scripture, Paul makes the reference to a race to describe our life. From Paul’s perspective, life was (and is) a race. And like a race, there is a beginning, middle, and end. A race is a good visual because it gives us direction. God wants our live...  Read More

January 18, 2023“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14If you have read much of Paul’s writings, you will find that Paul viewed life as a race. There are multiple passages throughout Scripture where Paul uses the analogy of a race. We all know Philippians 4:13, but do you know Philippians 3:14? In this verse, Paul says… “I press on t...  Read More

January 17, 2023“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16The world we live in loves sports. That’s why we fill stadiums and spend crazy sums of money to watch our favorite teams compete. We track statistics…we play fantasy sports online…we watch sports channels on TV that do nothing but show the ...  Read More

January 16, 2023“God has now revealed to us His mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill His own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.” – Ephesians 1:9-10In Old Testament times, God’s plans and goals weren’t as clear as they are today. We have clarity today when it comes to G...  Read More

January 15, 2023“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” – Ephesians 1:7-8Over the past few days, we have talked about the spiritual blessings God has given us as children of God. Because of Him, we have a new identity. We no longer belong to ourse...  Read More

January 14, 2023“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17  When you make the decision to accept Jesus into your life, everything changes. You are making the biggest and BEST decision you will ever make in your entire life. You trust that Jesus died for your sins, and you want Him to become Lord of your l...  Read More

January 13, 2023“God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 1:5  The Bible says that when we are saved, we become a part of the family of God, and it happens immediately. You don’t have to earn your way into God’s family. When He saves you, you are adopted as a child of the King! And the Bible says, when that happens, we rece...  Read More

January 12, 2023“Even before He made the world, God loves us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.” – Ephesians 1:4  As a believer, one who has given your life to God, you are SET APART. Paul says that those who are “in Christ” have been set apart “to be holy and without fault.” We’re set apart for a purpose, and that purpose is to reflect the holiness of God and the goo...  Read More

January 11, 2023“To be faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:1-3  Have you ever wondered why we as Christians experience blessings? Well, it is because our identity is found in C...  Read More

January 10, 2023“And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.” – Luke 6:34When you give something to someone, do you do it out of the goodness of your heart? Or do you do it expecting something in return? The past few days, we have been talking a lot about blessings. A true blessing is when you receive ...  Read More

January 9, 2023“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26Has anyone ever tried to “bless” you by giving you something you didn’t earn? A few weeks ago, our family was eating dinner in Ooltewah at a restaurant… and at the end of the meal, I asked for the check, and when I did, ...  Read More

January 8, 2023“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:5-6D...  Read More