“For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ.    Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate.    Can’t you see the central […]

“Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!GOD can’t stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.Listen to good advice if you want to live well, an honored guest among wise men and women.” Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭23, 26, 31‬ MSG Gracious conversation. Words of beauty. Good advice. Are these […]

“But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.      So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God.     With promises like […]

“But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, the One who got you started: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine.    When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between […]

“Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus.    Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to […]

God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change. 2 Peter 3:9 MSG I remember my mom telling me this morsel of wisdom: “God is rarely early but […]

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus.   The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus.   ‭‭John‬ ‭1:40-41 ‭MSG‬‬ What’s the very first thing you do […]

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.    You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.    Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient […]

“People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.”Isaiah 26:2-4 MSG There are two certainties in life: death and taxes. That statement has been […]

“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 […]