“Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the ‘stumbling stone.’” – Romans 9:32 On Mother’s Day in 2019, Scott Amos of Reno, Nevada, was visiting his childhood home in Humboldt County, California, to finally get his stuff out […]
“so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; […]
“And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” – Romans 11:6 In his book “Preparing and Delivering Christ-Centered Sermons II”, Bryan Chapell writes: “A number of you may be aware of Jerry Bridges’ series of books on holiness, […]
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then […]
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope” – Romans 8:19-20 In her book “Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess”, Dr. […]
“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him” – Romans 10:12 In his book “The Good and Beautiful Community”, James B. Smith writes: “George Fox (1624-1691) was the founder of the Quakers, a Christian […]
“Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” – Romans 10:3 On January 5, 2025, Jeffrey Brian Merrow, 60, was arrested for felony embezzlement and felony larceny. Merrow was a pastor at the Garden […]
“What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’” – Romans 7:7 In his book “Subversive […]
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 During the late 1800’s, Maltbie D. Babcock, author of “This Is My Father’s World” and a Presbyterian pastor in Brooklyn, introduced a […]
“Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.” – Psalm 103:22 Tommy Edman is a utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is also a Christian who is serious about his faith. When he first walked into a major league clubhouse, […]
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 In her book “Liturgy of the Ordinary”, author Tish Harrison Warren writes: “Confession reminds us that none of us gather for worship because we are “pretty good people.” […]
“For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we […]
‘I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah.’ Psalm 3:4 Sometimes, Jesus rose early in the morning to pray; other times, He prayed all night long. Your quiet time can be morning, evening, or whatever time works best for you. You’re […]
‘Forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’ Ephesians 4:32 Let go of the old grudges that are weighing you down. Philip Yancey describes forgiveness as ‘an unnatural act’. He says, ‘You don’t find dolphins forgiving sharks for eating their playmates. It’s a dog-eat-dog world … not dog-forgive-dog.’ […]
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 In Edinburgh, Scotland, there is the Edinburgh castle – a tower of seemingly insurmountable strength. However, long ago, that castle was attacked and seized. One place in the fortress was protected by its steepness and impregnability, and […]