Faith in Christ—believing that Jesus is the Son of God who was sent to earth through the virgin’s birth, nailed to a cross as the sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and rose again, conquering death forevermore—saves us from eternal damnation. Jews in Jesus’s time followed a strict set of…
HYMN DAY! Fanny Crosby wrote many endearing hymns, and “Near the Cross” is one of my favorites. Let my righteousness bestowed through faith in Jesus shine consistently day by day. 1. Jesus, keep me near the cross; there a precious fountain, free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s…
Probably many of you know about whom I’m speaking when I write the name Annalise Hope. Annalise Hope was diagnosed with hydranencephaly in utero. Her parents were encouraged to abort her because she probably wouldn’t live more than a few minutes. But Kevin and Candace believe God is the giver…
When I was in grade school, I read a short biography about the daughter of missionaries living in India. Everyone else in her family had blue eyes; she had brown, and she resented them. All of the brown-eyed people in the village were enamored by these blue-eyed strangers who spoke…
This is one of the most difficult scriptures for me to comprehend. A God who wills that none should be lost, hardens some hearts? The Bible gives us examples of this hardening—with Pharaoh, who refused to release God’s chosen people, and with Saul, who needed to step aside so David…
There’s a great deal of unrest in our country and around the world. Some might wonder why a God of power allows evil to run rampant. I can think of two reasons: 1) He gives us free will—He doesn’t pull our “strings” and force us to follow Him; and 2)…
HYMN DAY! Charles Wesley wrote many hymns, and “And Can It Be” is one of my favorites. It really makes me think of how blessed I am. 1 And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain?…
In God’s mercy, He sent Jesus Christ to earth to take the penalty of sin for all humanity. We can’t ever be good enough for God. We can’t buy salvation, earn it through good works, or talk our way into heaven. Salvation is offered as a free gift by God…
God is just. He is unable to be anything but just. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” He is long-suffering and patient. He bestows mercy when He believes…
This is a short verse, but I have a lot to say about it. It seems after every major tragedy—such as a mass shooting, a natural disaster, or a rampant virus—the question is raised: “If God loves us, why did this happen?” I understand the query comes from a place…
