Category: Salvation - Jethro TOOLS

Downward Spiral of Sin

4/12/2026

Genesis 3:1-7
Beliefs mattered to the early church. Around 400 AD there were two men who took opposing views on the issue of the original sin that started in the Garden of Eden and the sinful nature that has been passed down through generations. The first man is Pelagius. He rejected the idea of original sin and instead argued that humanity has the capacity to obey and follow God’s law perfectly. On the other side of the debate is Augustine, who believed in the complete sinfulness of man and the need for man to completely depend on the grace of God for salvation. Today, we face a growing and concerning trend in that people believe they are basically good. Studies show that even church attenders do not believe that they are sinful and in need of God’s grace. This trend is worsening in the younger generations. The deceitfulness of Satan still reigns as he still tries to convince people that they are good without God. The problem is this the same argument that was used in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. The opening verses of this chapter describe a downward spiral of sin. First there is Satan and the deceptive temptation (1), which is followed by the distortion of God’s words (2-3). The next step down involves doubting God (4-5), which leads to desiring other things apart from God (6). Finally, the first human couple disobey God’s direct command and thus commit the first sin (7). Their broken moral character is now passed down from generation to generation. We can choose to follow sin or we can choose to follow Christ. I exhort you, as does Augustine from the pages of history, call out to Christ for the forgiveness of sin and the salvation of your soul. We are not able to fix ourselves. We as sinners (Romans 3:10-11, 23-24), must depend on a gracious God who loved us and gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2).

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Christmas Time: Spoken

12/21/2025

Hebrews 1:1-4
A number of years ago my daughter gave me a short note on a small piece of paper. On it there were nine neatly written items that made up her birthday and Christmas wish list. At the bottom there was a star followed by an explanatory note, “Most Wanted.” Glancing back to the list a star highlighted item number seven which read, “Night Table - made by Dad.” Thus began a journey of cold weather construction in a cramped unheated shed. An individualized night table complete with a drawer was made for each of the kids and quietly placed by each of their beds very late on Christmas Eve. I have saved the note and use it as a book marker in my daily devotional book. It reminds me of the way that I need to come to my heavenly Father and ask for what is needed and that which I desire the most. A gift created by my father’s hands made just for me. Hebrews chapter 1 opens by telling us that God has consistently and repeatedly delivered messages revealing Himself and His plans for salvation (1). His best and most perfect form of communication was personally made through the sending Jesus to be our savior (2). Being God He is the perfect gift that has been communicated, but also provided (3). Jesus, fully God yet in human form (Philippians 2:5-9), is just what humanity needs most. He is far superior to any thing else that could grab our attention (4). Christmas time is often a time of secrets and trying to guess what a gift is. God understood our deepest need. He spoke, promised and delivered the very best gift, Jesus in the form of a baby. The great God who spoke the world into existence now displays the same power to save and transform our life. Jesus, is a gift given directly from the Father. What joy! What hope! God has communicated His love to us.

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Christmas Time: Appropriate

12/14/2025

Galatians 4:1-7
One day a little turtle decided to climb a tree, while two crows watched with interest. Inch by laborious inch the little turtle made his way to the top to the tree. Upon reaching the top he flapped his little arms as hard as he could and promptly fell straight down. Undeterred he decided to try climbing the tree again. As he moved toward the tree one crow says to the other, “I’d sure hate to see him hurt himself. Do you think now is a good time to tell him that he is adopted?” Being adopted often carries with it some residual questions about the past, but the ultimate question that is asked is … Where do I belong? That question was answered at the time of adoption, and that question for each one of us is answered at Christmas. Galatians chapter four tells us that at just the right time God sent His Son Jesus to purchase our freedom from sin and give us the full right to be called His children (4). He gives us a place to belong in His family as one of His rightful children. As believers we can experience freedom from the past slavery of sin. We now experience blessing from God who faithfully keeps His promises and makes adoption possible. He sent His son at just the appropriate time so we could be belong to Him. Just as turtles can never climb trees, or fly on their own, so we can never be good enough to be made acceptable to God. The good news of the gospel message is that Christ makes this possible for us. Those who are outside God’s family are extended the offer to no longer be slaves, but sons, through faith in Christ. Being a son changes everything. We now have access to the Father, who has made it appropriate for us to be His children. Jesus is the best and most appropriate gift at just the right time.

For More See GALATIANS

Resting in God

11/26/2025

Psalm 92
What is rest? Often when we think of rest we think a day off work equals rest. In the musical world there is a musical symbol for rest that tells the musician to stop playing the instrument and be silent for a specific musical measurement of time. We also think of rest as taking a nap or sleeping longer, and hopefully waking up feeling rested, and not tired. On another level, the Bible speaks of a sabbath rest. We are to imitate God and His work at creation. As He worked for six days and then rested, we are to do the same. Biblical rest involves ceasing from work, but it also involves also involves a trust in God to supply. When we come to the place of realizing that our effort is not sufficient it is then that we can fully rest in God to abundantly supply. The author of Psalm 92 invites his audience to praise God. The praise of God is to be natural, but how does the praise of God lead us to rest in God? If you notice the heading in your Bible, this Psalm was written for the Sabbath day. What is to happen on the Sabbath day? This is the day that God’s people are to rest. In Psalm 92 the author exhorts his audience to praise God for His care and deliverance. Praise declares God’s greatness (1-4) and delights in Him and His work (10-15). When we rest in God, as described in the Bible, it is to be a time not only of ceasing work but also praising God for how He cares for us and delivers us each day. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says that He will give rest to those that come to Him. Have we ceased our work and come to Jesus for true refreshing rest? If that is true then we can truly praise Him as described in Psalm 92.

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New Life New Future

11/16/2025

John 14:1-7
Forever together, this is the thought forms the desire and plan for a wedding. Love motivates a young couple to begin thinking about the future and the celebratory start to that relationship called a wedding. In different cultures the process that moves toward the wedding will look different. When we look at the Bible and see a wedding we must realize that there are differences between now and then. In Jesus day the husband would make a promise to his future bride that he would come back for her. In the mean time he would go and build a house attached to his fathers house. When the house was completed the husband would return for his bride and take her to his fathers house for the wedding and its celebration. In John 14 Jesus speaks with His disciples regarding His departure. They are deeply troubled (1) but He reminds them that He will prepare a place at His fathers house for them (2) so that one day He will come back and bring them to be with Him (3). Jesus is using the cultural example of a wedding to explain the spiritual truth of the future for those who believe in Him. The only way to become part of God’s family is through a relationship with Jesus, His son. While waiting for His return those who believe have the joy of telling others of their wonderful savior. Do you know Jesus as your savior? Have you placed your faith in Him as your only savior? Jesus tells His followers, and us today, that belief in Him is the only way to gain entrance into heaven, His fathers house (6). Belief in His salvation is essential in order to be included in God’s family for all eternity. Each of us must answer the question, What will you do with Jesus? How we answer will determine our future for all eternity. Will you spend life with Him or separate from Him?

For More See JOHN

Suffering

11/2/2025

1 Peter 3:13-4:6
It has been said we are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or about to go into a trial. That is true of each of us. Trials are the events in our life that introduce pain into our life. Pain is the hurt that is felt, while suffering is the continued condition of feeling the pain. Some years back I was diagnosed with cancer. That was a trial that I had never experienced before. I had a serious condition that required immediate attention and surgery. Enter pain. The testing and surgery introduced pain into my life that I had never before experienced. For months I continued to suffer with the lingering side effects and pain as I recovered from surgery. Eventually the hardship of suffering decreased, the pain subsided and the trial ended. Was there any benefit to the suffering? Good health was the outcome, but is that the only outcome? In God’s eyes pain and suffering does have a purpose and a good outcome. 1 Peter 3:18 tells us that that the death of Christ was for the purpose of bringing us to God. Through the pain and suffering God brought good. 1 Peter 4 reminds us that we are to live in imitation of Christ having the same attitude (1). The message of the gospel is proclaimed through the pain of suffering. We can only know restoration to God through Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us. That is good news. In much the same way God redeems our suffering as we submit to Him using our pain for His purpose. On a human level that is hard. We want life to be pain free. However, I can personally say that God allowed me to tell others of His love and grace through the suffering caused by cancer. God wants to redeem your pain for His good. Will you let him?

For More See 1 PETER

Foundation of Beliefs

4/27/2025

John 1:1-16
Growing up in the North, earthquakes were frequent occurrences. Dishes would rattle in the kitchen and you would feel the house lurch and bump. This all happened because the of movement in the ground. At a much later date, I lived in the South where the ground moved because of the water content in the soil. In the rainy season the ground would swell, but without water the ground would shrink. In both locations homes needed to have good foundations or else the structure would fail because of the ground movement. A well built house must be tied to a well built foundation. Like a house our lives need to be built on something solid. A house that has a weak foundation will crack and not be usable if it is not repaired. In the same way our lives are built upon what we believe. If our beliefs are weak then our actions will be weak and ineffective. There are five core beliefs that we must hold if we profess a saving faith in Jesus. Scripture teaches us that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone for God’s glory alone. The Bible provides an accurate witness pointing to Christ as Savior (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Grace is God’s process of giving salvation (Titus 3:4-7). Faith is God’s work enabling the reception of salvation (Romans 1:16-17). True belief is centered on Christ as the only source of salvation (Romans 3:22). This leaves God’s glory as the goal of all who are saved (1 Corinthians 10:31). The problem is that it is easy to say that we are involved in the Christian life and yet not live the Christian life. God wants us to not only know what we believe but act on our beliefs. Our actions will prove what we truly believe. So what do you believe? Our beliefs will affect the way we live.

For More See JOHN

Restored

3/16/2025

Romans 6
The old shed on the back corner of our property seemed like a worthy investment. So in the spring, after thinking and planning repairs all winter, I started. The building had settled and rotted its original support beams, requiring the foundation to be rebuilt. Once the shed was level and stable the roof and the door were replaced to keep the structure dry and free from roaming critters. Since the outside was able to withstand the extremes of weather, I turned my attention to the inside to make the shed functional. A simple shelf and some hooks made a once rundown and deteriorated building useful again. In many ways we are like an old shed. God sees us, and purchases us, to restore us to the functional purpose that He designed us to be. In Romans chapter 6, Paul calls this process sanctification. From the point of salvation, God begins a process of removing the practice of sin from the life of the believer. The control of sin is broken (1-14) through what Christ has accomplished on the cross for us. But God does not just leave us there. He wants to restore us to the true servants that He originally intended us to be. There is a change that takes place as the believer no longer serves sin, but gives the control of their life to God (15-23). Gradually, the practice of sin is replaced with purity and a righteous life that pleases God. Sanctification is God’s life long process that He works in us to restore us to His standard. Speaking of our relationship with Jesus, Peter writes, “like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You Shall Be Holy, For I Am Holy. (1 Peter 1:15). What we believe will change the way that we live. What we live will prove what we truly believe.

For More See ROMANS or SHEBA

Rejected

3/9/2025

Isaiah 52:13-53:12
The unison trumpet like blast startled my peaceful quiet walk. Immediately I shifted my eyes toward the lake and scanned for the source of the racket. There, through the trees I saw four swans cruising the shore line looking for open water. Their arrival and their thunderous trumpeting honks announce the arrival of spring. The problem is, we may look around and see little evidence of that. Snow is still in piles and ice is still on the lake. We face a choice. Will we believe the message of the swans that spring is coming or will we reject their message and dismiss them as nothing but silly swans. In the book of Isaiah the people faced a similar situation. In chapter 1-39 Isaiah records God’s message of judgment for their sin and rebellion against Him. Then beginning in chapter 40-66 Isaiah records God message of hope and restoration for sinful people. And within this Isaiah records “Who has believed our message…(53:1).” Isaiah tells us that very few people have believed God’s message that a savior will come to take their sin upon Himself. The first twelve verses of Isaiah 53 describe what this suffering servant will do. Through Isaiah’s eyes the nation is to see the hope and restoration to a right relationship with God through a coming savior that is ultimately Jesus. This message of hope and restoration was declared to the these people yet many looked around and did not believe. Today, we need to hear the message and believe the message that a Savior has been sent to save us from our sin and restore us to a right relationship with God. That is a message of good news and hope that is worth believing regardless of our surroundings. Isaiah trumpets a message of hope for sinners just as swans trumpet the message of hope for the end of winter.

For More See ISAIAH or SHEBA

Rescued

3/2/2025

Luke 15
In 1878 Margaret Wolfe Hungerford first penned the phrase, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This old saying describes how each person will see things differently. Thus, what one person finds beautiful another may find bland. I was reminded of that fact this week during a walk where I saw a small table placed on the side of the road. Alongside the table was a sign that read “FREE.” Who does not like free things? Yet free often means that the item no longer has any value to the owner. After years of use and perhaps abuse the table was discarded because it lacked beauty and value. In Luke 15 Jesus, confronts the criticism of the religious leaders who questioned the value of His time spent with sinners. In response, Jesus told three parables that outlined His clear value of the sinner who is lost and in need of rescue. He uses the story of a lost sheep that is returned (4-7), a lost coin that is recovered (8-10) and a lost son who is restored (11-32). Each portrays their helplessness and need for grace from the savior who steps in and does what only the savior can do. In the end there is a celebration as the lost has been found and the sinner rescued. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Over the years I have fixed old tables, worn out chairs and beat up cabinets using glue and screws. I then cleaned, sanded and painted or varnished them and the piece again displays its beauty. All because the rescuer saw value and beauty in what others viewed as trash. God does the same for us. He calls us to Himself, rescues us from ourselves and sin, then cleans us up and makes us useful for His purposes. Jesus sees the rescue of sinners as a valuable thing of beauty that is worth doing and celebrating.

For More See LUKE or SHEBA

The Disciple's Purpose

2/16/2025

1 Peter 2:1-10
It was January of 2020 and we watched in shock as the coronavirus in China exploded out of control. The problem grew so much that the government immediately began building a thousand room hospital to try and deal with the epidemic and needed beds. Soon people were in desperate need of doctors, specialized care, and medicine all over the world. Medical teams and essential workers functioned in a ballet-like dance, as each one did a specific task for the purpose of eliminating the virus from their country. Throughout the pandemic we saw medical staff repeatedly praised for their sacrificial service. As we open the book of 1 Peter, we read along with an audience of believers who was living in hard times. In chapter 2 Peter reminds these believers under pressure that they have been given a new spiritual life for the purpose of growing in Christ, building others for Christ and continuing on with their belief in Christ. The end result is praise for what Christ has done in each life, regardless of the trials that have been faced in the process. Peter is challenging his readers, and us as well, to remember what God has done and what He is doing. This spiritual birth (1-3), formation and connection (4-5) are not things we can accomplish on our own. This is accomplished through God’s initial work of grace on the cross that is built on the foundation of Jesus our Savior (6-8). God’s purpose is to change us, and grow us, so we can praise Him (9-10). Just as a doctor is praised for his work on desperately sick patients, likewise, we are called to believe and carry the message of salvation and healing through a great Savior. If we can tell others how great our doctor is, can we not also tell others how great our God is?

For More See 1 PETER or DISCIPLESHIP

The Disciple's Vision

1/26/2025

Luke 19:1-10
Have you lost something? We have all lost something at some point in time like keys, glasses, or that important paper. But what about the times when we realize that what we have is something we don’t really desire like an old shirt, a broken chair, or out of style shoes. Our focus shifts from the invaluable things of the present, to a desire for some other thing. All too often we assign too much value to power, positions, and possessions, that we miss what is truly valuable. That is the story of Zacchaeus. Luke 19 tells us that he had power, position, and wealth (2), yet above those things he was motivated to see Jesus (3), and nothing was going to stop him (4). He had everything that a man could possibly get in this world, and yet he was an outcast searching for answers to the deep longings of his heart. He desired to be known and accepted. Zacchaeus had come to the point where he knew his life was not right. Yet, regardless of his sin, Jesus sought him out. He knew exactly where Zaccheus was in the tree and noted the change that faith had brought to his life (9). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (10). His focused vision for coming into this world was to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Today, God works in us and through us to seek out the lost around us. We must believe and accept the salvation offered only through Jesus. It is His sacrifice on the cross that makes us right with God. As disciples of Jesus, we are to adopt His vision for the lost. Zacchaeus desired a new way to live with new values and a new vision for life. That drove him to search for answers and seek out Jesus. May we believe in Jesus as Savior, adopt His way of living, and help others do the same. Has Jesus found you and radically changed you?

For More See LUKE or 1 TIMOTHY or DISCIPLESHIP

The Gift

12/15/2024

Isaiah 9:3-7
Gift giving is on our minds at this time of year. At times we all struggle to determine what to give that certain someone. If you ask others for advice on what to give, you may hear a wide range of answers including something to eat, something to wear, something to do, or even time with you. Helpful as that list of suggestions may be, we are still left scratching our heads, puzzled by what to give. Perhaps we need to simplify the process. Rather than thinking about what to give the other person, it might be better to think like the other person. Once we begin to think of a great gift from the receivers perspective we will see what they need and value most, then give accordingly. That is exactly what God has done for us. In Isaiah 9 we see that God clearly understands us as people and gives us exactly what we need. Isaiah, under God’s direction, records God’s promise that a child will be born and a son will be given (6). God is making a grand announcement proclaiming what He will do for us. This simple verse describes the human side of a child being born and also the divine side of God giving His son. What is this? This is God, through Isaiah, building in the people the belief that God will come and live with man as God with us, Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). The rest of Isaiah 9:6 goes on to describe how this gift from God is exactly what lost and sinful humanity needs. At Christmas our gift giving is a very small imitation of the gift of Jesus himself, that has been given to us. God knew exactly what we needed and gave His Son to forgive us, restore us and give us new life (John 3:16). In Jesus, God has given the perfect gift of salvation that we have deeply desired.

For More See ISAIAH or CHRISTMAS

Proclaim the Gospel

8/25/2024

1 Timothy 1:12-17
My Grandma was one who made sure that we stayed warm by making various winter garments. I recall one Christmas my brothers and I opened our gifts to find our own matching pair of mittens plus a hat. These were not just any normal hat and gloves, these were double thick. Grandma made them with two layers of yarn that doubled the thickness and the warmth. In fact, that hat was so warm I remember sweating while wearing it in the middle of winter. Different people commented on the hat and asked where I got it. That was my cue to tell them that it was my Christmas gift from Grandma. In much the same way Paul is saying the same thing to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 1:12-14, Paul proclaims the gospel message because God has given him the gift of salvation and enabled him to serve (12), even though his past sin was great (13). He then turns and challenges Timothy to proclaim the gospel message of salvation (15-17). This is opposite of the false teachers, who had a message that was without substance and value because they did not hold to the truth of the gospel message (1:6). Paul’s exhortation to the young pastor, Timothy, is to keep Christ and His work on the cross central in his beliefs, teaching and practice. The same is true for us today. When we understand the greatness of our sin, and the greatness of God’s work, we will naturally proclaim the greatness of God and worship Him (17). In ministry, our past is to be an opportunity to display God’s grace in the present. Our guilt and shame of past sin do not limit God’s power in transforming the worst of sinners into His greatest servants. True ministers will view sin in light of grace and be an example pointing others to Christ and the gift of salvation He has given.

For More See 1 TIMOTHY

Learning the Word

6/30/2024

2 Timothy 3:14-17
Our days can be busy, seemingly impossible, and at times we might even be disoriented and in need of direction. Through all of life directions are given to us in order to guide us. Drivers follow road signs and road maps. Carpenters follow blueprints for building a house. Pilots are trained to follow the instruments in their plane. Even if we are lost in the woods we know that moss grows on the North side of trees in the northern hemisphere, water always flows down hill, and the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. In life we have resources that provide direction and keep us from being disoriented. In much the same way God has given us His word to keep us from being spiritually disoriented. As Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3, he reminds this young pastor that his life has been influenced by Scripture (14). Previously he reminded Timothy that his mother and grandmother faithfully instilled Scriptural truth through their teaching and example (2 Timothy 1:5) leading him to salvation in Christ (15). Like Timothy, we can see that God has given His word to equip us with a spiritual roadmap. It comes down to believing that God is God and His word carries His authority. He, as the true supreme authority, inspired and directed the Biblical authors in their writing (16) to write His exact words. When we value God and His word we will allow it to teach us and equip us for His service (17). Our life and service will only have substance and direction when we base our lives on God and His word. Reading the word of God daily, pondering its truth and doing what it says will strengthen our faith and keep us from being disoriented as we focus on Christ.

For More See 2 TIMOTHY

Transformation: Can God Change Me?

3/31/2024

Luke 24
If you want to spark a conversation try asking this question… “What would you do if I gave you a million dollars?” The answers are as varied as people and their individual personalities. However, underlying the answer is a root belief that something will change because of this new reality. This gift has the ability to remove concerns and worries. It changes ones perspective. The same is true of Easter. In Luke 24 the followers of Jesus were confronted with the resurrection of Jesus and that changed everything. The disciples who first saw the empty tomb (1-12) were confronted with God’s reality and the choice to believe that Jesus is alive. The troubled men walking on the road were presented the open Scriptures (13-27). The searching of the scriptures changed their perspective. The death of Jesus was necessary for true change to be offered and salvation to be a reality. Jesus opened the eyes of these men to see (28-32) that he died and returned to life. The reality that Jesus is alive and that he accomplished salvation moved these men to excitedly tell others of this new reality (33-36). Not only did they hear about Jesus being alive, they believed because they saw him. They were filled with joy and that changed their communication with others. For us today, it is easy to talk about what brings us joy. However, the joy of these disciples moved them to tell others who doubted about Jesus. The opening of our mouth as a witness naturally occurs because of our joy in Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus should challenge our doubts; change our beliefs about salvation; our understanding of God’s word; and our communication about Him. Jesus is alive and our belief in Him changes everything.

For more see LUKE or EASTER

Acceptance

3/18/2024

John 3:1-21
Have you ever wanted to get to know someone but were afraid to talk to them when others were around? In John 3 we see that Nicodemus was a religious leader with serious questions for Jesus. So, he arranged to met with Jesus at night, asking questions that people still ponder today. He began with a general statement regarding what people in the community were saying about Jesus. He then moved too much deeper questions in response to the truth that Jesus presented. His perspective about Jesus was challenged (2-3). His beliefs about Jesus and salvation were confronted (4-8). Through this, Jesus desired that Nicodemus would believe that He was the promised savior as predicted in the scriptures (9-15). The conversation concludes as Jesus emphasized that a new life is only the result of God’s transforming power (16-21). As we read this conversation we often miss what Jesus was modeling for us. Jesus was willing to take the time to meet with Nicodemus. From there He started with what Nicodemus knew and challenged his understanding of the truth. Jesus made sure that the truth was presented in such a way that it would lead to beliefs being challenged and to salvation. Today, we can do the same in our conversations with others. We can only tell others of the truth of the gospel if we know it by experience. Let us ask God to open the conversations and relationships so we can tell others of Jesus and point them to salvation in Him alone. Like Nicodemus, our acceptance by God is not found through what we know about Him or the things we do. We must come to God on His terms through Jesus our savior. In that, God begins a visible transformative process, moving us from spiritual darkness to spiritual light (21). Like Nicodemus, what we know will affect what we believe, and what we believe will affect the way we live.

For more see JOHN or EASTER

What is Prayer?

2/4/2024

Luke 11:1-13
When we think of prayer I believe that we often have three basic responses. First is the emergency prayer. This is treating God like the emergency room in a hospital or calling 911. We only pray in an emergency and about emergencies in our life. The second type of prayer is the memorized prayer. This is the bed time prayer that we might have been taught that is said every night or a repetition of the Lord’s prayer. This is simply a memorized prayer just moves through the words that are always said without seeking a real connection with God. This leads us to the third type of prayer and that is the relational prayer. This type of prayer is where the communication is open, honest and thoughtful. This is what Jesus wanted to teach His disciples about prayer. As we look at what is known as the Lord’s prayer in Luke 11 notice that the disciples asked to be taught how to pray (1). That opening statement is important because what follows is clearly an example of how to pray not what to pray, as in just repeating the words. In teaching the disciples how to pray Jesus noted that prayer is relational (1-2) and practices dependence (3-4), persistence (5-8), confidence (9-10) and faith (11-13). So, let us pray using what Jesus taught… Father, we come today declaring our relationship with you as the one who rules our life. We depend on you for all things because we believe that you are reliable. Help us to persist in prayer because we know that you care. Strengthen our faith to declare in confidence that you are in control even when we may not see what you are doing. Thank you, for displaying to us your consistent goodness. Thank you for guiding us by your Spirit in all things because you desire a continual relationship with us. We have all that we need in you because of what Jesus has done on the cross for us, amen.

For more see LUKE or QUESTIONS & ANSWERS or PRAYER

What is Salvation?

1/14/2024

Romans 8
Several years ago a dog was dumped in our neighborhood. She was a dirty, hungry mess and did not trust people. I first noticed her just lying in the road, most likely where her previous owners had dropped her. She soon became the conversation of the neighborhood as various ones tried to catch the dog, feed the dog and some even called the police to catch the dog. Nothing worked. She was lost and alone after being rejected by her previous owners. I decided to offer her a chance at a new life. One where she could belong, be fed and secure. That took time. I started by talking to her and letting her experience my presence from a distance. Gradually she tolerated me, to a point. Next, I introduced food, the tasty treats that enticed her and met her deep hunger for more. I remember tossing the treats and coaxing her closer and closer until finally she was eating out of my hand. As you can guess, the rest is history. I now have a 40 pound ball of fuzz who trusts me and enjoys being with me more and more each day. Is that not what God does for us? We are lost and alone in a world of sin and Jesus pays the price for our sin so we can be set free to live a new life with Him. He saves us from the power of sin and a life ruled by sin. He alone gives us peace and helps us trust Him each day. Finally, by believing in Jesus Christ as savior, we find peace and security in the presence of God as we move from this life to the next. Just like my dog, Jesus seeks to have a relationship with us and save us from sin, give us victory over sin and guarantee our future with Him.

For more see ROMANS or QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Magnification

12/11/2023

Luke 1:46-56
Have you ever picked up a magnifying glass? At various times I remember finding one and being amazed at how large the letters on a page can be. However, in using the magnifying glass all that is enlarged is only within the frame of the glass. If you want to see more you need to move the glass. For example, you might use a magnifying glass to see an ant in greater detail, but you would not need one to see an elephant. In Luke 1:46 Mary begins her song that magnifies or exalts God. She is not describing God as small, instead she sings of His greatness and grandeur by drawing attention to His work as the Mighty One on her behalf (49). This is a contrast of power. Mary is weak but God is mighty. God worked on her behalf and accomplished that which was humanly impossible. Mary was the willing servant that God used to bring about the greatest impossibility, the birth of Jesus, God’s son, to be the Savior of the world. Today’s culture is often absorbed with self. It is seen in the gathering of attention and perhaps followers to be seen as great. That view and practice is much like taking a magnifying glass to an ant and making it look big. In contrast to that, Mary magnifies God through her song. She describes the greatness of God and His work in her life and world as she has submitted to Him. She is not attracting attention to herself. Instead, Mary describes the greatness of God and His salvation and blessing that only He could make possible through the birth of Jesus. Mary’s belief of God’s greatness directed her life, her joy and her speech. From her song she desires that others would know God’s greatness. Are we doing the same with our life?

For more see LUKE or SONGS of CHRISTMAS

What Will You Do With Jesus?

4/10/2023

Luke 24
It all began a week ago. There was a thump on the window and then thrashing and scratching. This continued for days until I finally caught a glimpse of a Robin staring at the window and then attacking the window in defense of its territory. The problem is that the Robin was fighting the reflection of its own image. Research has informed me that eventually the love sick Robin will stop, and tend to caring for his nest. In his angry little bird brain the Robin only sees a rival and a threat, not reality. We approach Easter and the resurrection in much the same way. On Easter we come face to face with the intersection of divinity and humanity. Jesus as a man died, but as God He was raised from the dead and returned to life. That is the dilemma the people in Luke 24 faced. At the resurrection of Jesus there were questions of belief (1-12). However, His followers publicly proclaimed that the resurrection is a reality. That was followed by the searching questions from two of His followers. However, Jesus met them, and pointed them to the Scriptures and the necessity of His death to pay for sin (13-27). Salvation is possible through belief in Jesus Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and not by anything we can do on our own. Jesus paid our debt of sin and because He lives we can have new life through Him. Our faith and hope are based on Christ and His love for us. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. As in Luke 24, Jesus wants to change us from doubters to ones who tell others of Him (33-36). What will you do with Jesus? Have your eyes been opened to the reality that that Jesus is alive (28-32)?

for more see LUKE or EASTER

God's Will & Our Guidance

4/2/2023

Isaiah 46:8-13
Palm Sunday begins the Biblical record of Jesus entering Jerusalem, with people praising Him and welcoming Him. However, by the end of the week the same people were mocking Him and seeking His death. This is known as the Passion Week. The people are passionate about a new king that is coming to save them, but they only see a political savior. The religious leaders are passionate about killing Jesus, because they only see a spiritual rival. However, Jesus is passionate about people that are lost in sin. He comes as the perfect sacrifice, because He is the only one able to save from sin. From our perspective we might wonder how God could work out His perfect plan of salvation in the midst of misconceptions and misconstrued justice. The trial that Jesus faced was unfair and unjust, yet Jesus offered His life to take our sin and its judgment on Himself. One might wonder if God really knew what was going on. God did, because in eternity past the Godhead knew that sin would corrupt the world and its people. Therefore, it was decided that Jesus would enter the world to provide the payment for sin once and for all. Only God was pure enough to pay for sin, but God is eternal and cannot die. This required that God become man, in order that through the perfect life and death of Jesus we might have new life in Him. That is God’s will ruling the events of time to make His ultimate plan for salvation a reality. Isaiah 46:10 says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” To know God’s sovereign will for our life we must submit to Jesus and His rule in our life. Have you done that? Are you doing that?

For more see ISAIAH or DISCIPLESHIP

Why Evangelize?

3/12/2023

2 Corinthians 5:14-21
One day a man who had not been feeling well went to see the doctor. After an examination and tests the doctor sent the man home, promising to call him with the results. The next day the doctor called and said, “Well I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” The man thought for a moment and asked for the good news. The doctor replied, “Good news is that you have 24 hours to live.” Confused, the patient asked, “If that was the good news what is the bad news?” “Well,” the doctor said, “the bad news is that I should have called you yesterday.” In a similar manner we, as believers in Jesus, often have a problem when it comes to telling others about Him. Often we turn the truth of scripture into a hammer and try to beat people into belief in Jesus. Then, on the other extreme, we take grace too far and it turns into friendship with no message proclaiming Christ. John 1:14 & 17 record that Jesus was full of grace and truth. He did not back away from the truth and He did not neglect to use grace. Jesus came full of grace and truth, and we should be the same. We need to speak the truth with words of grace so others will see Jesus in our message of evangelism. We need to live the truth with actions of grace so others will see Jesus in our method of evangelism. In Acts 4:12, Peter is speaks of Jesus saying, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Christ’s love for us on the cross compels us to act on our belief of Him as savior, and serve as His messenger of good news (2 Corinthians 5:14-21) to those living with the bad news of sin.

For more see 2 CORINTHIANS or DISCIPLESHIP

Reproduction of Disciples

1/1/2023

2 Timothy 2:1-2
Spring is just around the corner… well not really. However, now is the time to begin making plans for the garden. We may think of new or better locations to place certain plants based on how much shade or sunlight they need. We may gather the tools and plan a new garden design. But, all of this is useless unless we have seeds to plant in the warm spring soil. Seeds will naturally want to grow with the proper sunlight, soil, and water. Under these conditions the plant will sprout into a seedling, continue to grow as an immature plant, and finally develop as a mature plant that produces a crop. At maturity the plant is able to produce seeds that can be used to reproduce a crop for the following year. There is a life cycle in nature and people that starts with birth and leads to maturity. God has designed all that He has created to grow into maturity. However, do we think the same way about our spiritual life? Often when we think about our spiritual life we only think about the start. We think of the good news of Jesus coming at Christmas to bring us salvation. When we believe in Christ as Savior we gain His gift of salvation. That is only the beginning. That new life and the transformation is to be on going and maturing just as we see in nature. Our spiritual life does not stop at salvation, it is to continue, grow, develop, and mature in us. God has intentionally created all that is around us, including us, for growth and maturity. Stagnation and remaining in one spiritual life stage is not normal. It is unhealthy. God’s purpose in sending Jesus to be our Savior is to save us and mature us so we can spiritually reproduce and be used by God to plant new spiritual seed in the soil of others lives.

For more see 2 TIMOTHY or DISCIPLESHIP

Christmas & Influence

12/27/2022

Luke 1-2
Influence is the ability to bring change to a situation or person based on insight, knowledge, and power. An influencer is someone who uses their personal ability to promote the change. In our world of technology, companies will contract influencers to promote their product. Those who watch and follow these influencers are then influenced to use the product them selves. However, there is not a single influencer who is able to influence everyone. In contrast, as we consider the events of Christmas, we see that God uses His influence and sovereign power to bring necessary change into our world. First, God displays His sovereign influence over nature and the rules of conception, as seen in Mary; and the standard operation of the sky, as seen with the shepherds and wise men. Second, God displays His sovereign influence over people, as He gathers a cast of unrelated and unconnected characters to converge on the little town of Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph traveled from the North, shepherds came from the fields and wise men traveled from the East. All these people were under the influence and direction of God, and submissive to His leading and plan. This leaves one last group, us. We, as people, are easily overwhelmed and influenced by schedules, events, catastrophes, and changes to our individual world. However, the Christmas season brings us face to face with the reality that the sovereign God has brought hope and change to our world through the birth of Jesus. The good news of Jesus’ birth and salvation should continually influence us. When changes come, do not fear, but submit and trust God like Mary and Joseph. When information is given by God, respond with joy and tell others like the shepherds. When God’s direction is made clear, follow wholeheartedly like the wise men.

For more see LUKE or SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS