Jesus prayed for His disciples, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” As His followers, we are not part of the world. Yet we’re stuck in it until that time we’re called Home. While we’re here walking among people who have no respect for…
In the time period that Peter wrote these words, the people would have been very familiar with making sacrifices—usually animals—to a deity. Christians no longer need to make redemptive animal sacrifices because Jesus’ blood shed on Calvary covers our sins. However, making spiritual sacrifices shows the world we’ve been changed.…
HYMN DAY! “I Surrender All” by Judson VanDeVenter is often sung during altar calls, inviting the lost one to commit himself to Christ. But it’s also a hymn that could be read as a prayer of dedication by those who’ve made a profession of faith. Although the tune is a…
There is no greater “pure milk” than God’s Word. His Word contains the breath of Life! If we aren’t consistently in the Word, we’re doing ourselves a great injustice. Salvation comes when we confess we are sinners in need of grace and ask Jesus to forgive our sins, but it…
In 1 Peter 1:13-25, Peter expounded on the subject of holiness, encouraging Christians to exhibit obedience to Christ. Then he advises attitudes and actions that need to be eliminated. The five sins listed are destructive to relationships. Church congregations, families, spouses, best friends…these relationships have been shattered or permanently scarred…
It’s flat out not easy to be a Christian. People will reject you, hurl accusations at you, or ridicule you. But that doesn’t mean we should hush or change our behavior to match the world. Especially in this time when our religious freedoms are being trampled by those who are…
Has anyone ever tried to refute your faith? If it hasn’t happened yet, it will. Rather than arguing, there’s a simple response that no one can deny: your own testimony. The Sanhedrin couldn’t deny that a man who’d been crippled since birth was now standing and walking. You know what…
HYMN DAY! “We Have Heard the Joyful Sound” by Priscilla Owens cannot be sung without enthusiasm. 1 We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Bear the news to every land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves; Onward!—’tis…
The religious leaders saw something different in Peter and John, and they realized that the difference came because these men had been with Jesus. When we have been with Jesus, it shows. We treat people with greater compassion. We exhibit honesty and morality. We choose patience instead of anger, forgiveness…
There is a lot of confusion these days about which “religion” is the best one, meaning the one that will take you to heaven after you die. Please believe me when I say, NO “religion” is the right one. The only way to spend eternity in heaven is to have…
