For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Heb. 12:11)   When you take a turn off a highway and you see a sign that says, “No Through Traffic,” you don’t think to yourself, what cruel,…

Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods…. (Daniel 3:17-18)   Daniel’s companions teach us what faith means by their confidence…

We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Heb. 4:15)   Secular storyteller and popular professor, Brené Brown, says, “Empathy is the great antidote to shame.” When we experience…

He [Jesus] said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself….

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)   When I was growing up, instant pudding had just hit the market. A little milk, a little powder packet and viola…

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom. 8:35-37)   Have you ever wondered if life’s trials prove that God has stopped caring for…

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13)   The Apostle Paul writes to people…

Not that I have already obtained this [righteousness God requires] or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Phil. 3:12)   As followers of Christ, we must continually fight against sin, but that doesn’t mean we’ll attain perfection on this side of…

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. . .Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Heb. 11:1,…

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)   If you were in deep in debt for ten million dollars and someone wrote you a check for the full amount, you would be thrilled but not…