“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 […]

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 […]

“Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-person—comes from God and belongs to God.    And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God.”1 John 4:2, 3 MSG Straightforward […]

“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.        Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply […]

“Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. Ephesians‬ ‭6:15-16 MSG What are your essentials for life? Shelter? Food? Water? Clothes? Yes, those are needed tangibles but what about the intangibles you need? The things you can’t […]

The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever!    And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the […]

“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 […]

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 when you receive […]

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.     Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got […]