Posts with the tag “grace”

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" - Psalm 98:4   What’s your favorite Christmas song? Take a moment to think about it. Maybe it’s “Silent Night” or “Away in a Manger.” Or perhaps it’s a classic like “Joy to the World.” Whatever it is, Christmas songs bring joy, warmth, and a sense of celebration. But have you ever stopped to think abou...  Read More

“Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.” - Luke 6:31   Did you know that Jesus’ teaching on kindness wasn’t entirely original? Long before Jesus walked the earth, similar principles were spoken by various thinkers and religious leaders. Confucius, for instance, advised, “Do not unto others what you would not wish done to yourself.”  The Buddhists taught, “Putting oneself in t...  Read More

"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." – Hebrews 13:14    How many of you would say today that you're living "the good life"? When I think of that phrase, I’m reminded of Robin Leach and his show, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." I used to watch it and think, "Wow, that's living the good life." For many, 'the good life' conjures images of luxu...  Read More

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." – Matthew 11:28-29   You can be a gentle saint. Do you know why? Because Jesus is a gentle Savior. Think about the world Jesus entered, full of rebellion, hatred, and worship of false gods. Mankind was reject...  Read More

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5    What does it mean to be gentle? When we hear this word, it might bring to mind someone who's soft-spoken or mild. But the gentleness that the Bible talks about goes deeper than that.  In fact, the Greek word for gentleness, “praus,” is one of those words that's difficult to translate into English. It’s used in a few differe...  Read More

“The one who conquers will be clothed the same way, in white garments, and I will never erase his name from the book of life.” - Revelation 3:5    When you are faithful, you hold a secure, permanent spot in a cherished record, where your name is irreversibly written and will never be removed. This is the second part of Jesus’ promise to those who are faithful: “I will never erase his name from the...  Read More

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:4-7   D...  Read More

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." — Ephesians 1:7   One significant spiritual blessing we experience "in Christ" is our redemption. The concept of being redeemed refers to the act of buying something out of the market, and in biblical terms, it paints the picture of a slave market. Because of the sins in our live...  Read More

"For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him." — Ephesians 1:4   Have you ever wondered about your purpose in life? According to Paul, if you are "in Christ," you have been set apart for a specific purpose: to reflect the holiness and goodness of God to the world around you.  This concept of being "set apart" is deeply significant. Paul t...  Read More

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 1:2    When Paul used the phrase "grace and peace" in his letters, it wasn't just a cliché to sound spiritual. This phrase carried deep significance and helped Paul connect with various subgroups in the first-century church. It's hard to grasp its full meaning in English, but in Paul’s context, it bridged cultural ...  Read More

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." - Hebrews 6:19   The devil loves to convince us that we are unworthy. He whispers lies in our ears, causing us to feel insecure in our relationship with the Lord. But Hebrews 6:19 assures us that when we are "in Christ," we are "firm and secure" in Him. When God says you’re something, it doesn’t matter if the devil says you’re somethi...  Read More

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” – Colossians 3:23 In a world that often seeks shortcuts and quick fixes, the concept of hard work can sometimes feel outdated or even unnecessary. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to embrace a different standard—one that values diligence, perseverance, and excellence in all that we do. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes ...  Read More

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" - John 14:6   Have you ever felt like your religious practices were leaving you empty and unsatisfied? You're not alone. Even King Solomon, known for his wisdom, grappled with this struggle. Solomon pursued every avenue imaginable in his quest for fulfillment, including religion. Yet, he disc...  Read More

"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son.'" - John 19:26   As Jesus hung on the cross, bearing the weight of the world's sins, His eyes fell upon His mother, Mary, and the disciple whom He loved. In the midst of His agony, He didn't forget His earthly responsibilities. Instead, He demonstrated profound compassion by ...  Read More

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." - Luke 23:34   Pause for a moment and consider the profound words in today’s key verse that Jesus spoke while He was hanging on the cross. In the midst of unimaginable suffering, He utters a prayer of forgiveness for those who have crucified Him. It's a moment of unparalleled grace and compassion, demonstrating the depth of His love...  Read More

"In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" - 1 Corinthians 11:25   Today, let's take a moment to reflect on the significance of observing the Lord's Supper. It's not just a routine part of our church service; it's a profound act of remembrance. Taking the Lord’s supper should be a time o...  Read More

"Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure; may there be peace within your walls, security within your fortresses.'" - Psalm 122:6-7    In a world inundated with news and information, it's easy to become passive observers, merely absorbing the latest headlines without taking action. But as believers, we're called to more than just being informed by the news; we're cal...  Read More

"Salvation comes through the Jews." - John 4:22   Today’s key verse is a profound statement uttered by Jesus Himself: "Salvation comes through the Jews." In these simple words, He encapsulates the foundational truth of our faith—that our redemption, our hope, our very salvation originated from the Jewish people. Long before Jesus walked the earth, the Prophet Isaiah foretold of a future where Isra...  Read More

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”- John 14:6    In our journey of faith, there comes a pivotal moment when we must confront the distinction between religion and relationship. Solomon, in his pursuit of life's fulfillment, encountered this truth firsthand. He sought meaning in religion, yet he discovered that it fell short of ...  Read More

"And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:15   Consider the parallel between our lives and the ancient rebellion of Lucifer and the fallen angels. If one day we stand before God as guilty, with our life marked by unaddressed rebellion, our destiny aligns with those who rebelled against Him thousands of years ago. However,...  Read More

May 8, 2023“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: When He ascended on high, He took many captives, and gave gifts to His people.” – Ephesians 4:7-8  To live out God’s good and perfect will for your life – the calling He has placed upon you – you are going to need more than your own strength. Yesterday, we looked at how you will need the strength ...  Read More