“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that,…

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) We all begin our lives as children. As children, we learn how to live from…

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7) The message of Jesus is “Good News.” Today our headlines mostly are filled with bad news. Yet, in the midst of all…

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and…

“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” (Luke 9:23) It was a time of prayer for Jesus. The Disciples were together with Jesus. He then asked them a question about the crowds who had been following Him. “Who…

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesian 1:18-19) We are taught by Paul to “pray without ceasing.”…

“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8) What brought delight into the life of Jesus? He lived His life here as the incarnate Son of God in human flesh. What motivated Him? He saw the sins of mankind. He faced trials encountering people from the…

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) What is the one characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ which shows others that this one is…

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) Meek is not weak. It is a term used by horse trainers, both in New Testament times and today. It means power under control. All the power and strength of the horse is focused through its training to accomplish its task, carry a…

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now…