“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.   There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Philippians 1:3, 5-6 […]

The Master said: “These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren’t in it. Because they act like they’re worshiping me but don’t mean it, I’m going to step in and shock them awake, astonish them, stand them on their ears.     You pretend to have the inside track. […]

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right […]

“Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.    Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along […]

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?   The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between […]

“Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments.     If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words.     But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see […]

“Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way.     Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.”Jude 1:22, 23 MSG Notice how we are exhorted to: “Go easy.” “Go after.” “Be tender.”   Those who are reluctant or having […]

“God doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in-full for our wrongs.    As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.    He knows us inside and out, […]

“At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.   But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.    You […]

“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.    And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already […]