If you read my books (and you should) or if you hear me teach or come to me for advice, you will hear: We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. It is a free gift and we didn’t earn it and therefore can’t loose it. God’s love for us does not ebb and flow with our behavior. We are accepted in the Beloved. I live my life by...
Law or Grace?
We are New Covenant people. We are no longer under the Law but under grace. While grace is far better than Law, for some reason, we keep running back to Law. Yesterday, (read here) I shared about the confrontation between Paul and Peter when Peter behaved hypocritically and fell back into the law. As I was preparing to run errands yesterday, I felt as if the Holy Spirit say, “I...
Who Can Stand?
If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us?” Romans 8:31 TPT Now this seems like a simple rhetorical question. We all know the Sunday School Answer is “nothing or no one.” But do we believe? First, do we believe God is for us? Because the promise is predicated on that truth, “God is for us”. Can a generational curse (the past...
God is Not Angry
Yesterday was the last day of our Adult Vacation Bible Study! Fifty-five people attended. I am honored and humbled God would allow me to teach in a foreign land. For four days, in the heat of the day, we sat outside in a covered patio. We sang songs of God’s goodness. We heard testimonies of his faithfulness. We prayed for each other and saw God heal. I am so in...
God Rejoices Over Us
I was listening to an old Gospel song the other day. The gist of the song was, “The World is in a bad way and we need Jesus.” I thought, “Forty years later, and we are still singing the same song – ‘the world is bad we need to turn back to God’.” We have painted this picture of God crying over America because of sin, punishing America because we...
From Sin-Sniffer to Grace-Giver
What is sin? Since we are no longer under the law, can we still sin? Are the sins listed in the Old Testament still applicable today? As I read Colossians 3 this morning, I find myself thinking about conversations and teachings I have heard over the last few months. Here is my humble conclusion on the matter. In my life, it doesn’t matter. Does this mean, I’m going to go...
I’m Always Right
You do not become righteous by doing “the right” thing. Righteousness is a sovereign act of God. When you accept Jesus as Savior (that is opened to everyone), God sovereignly declares you right with Him. Now because you didn’t earn it, you can’t lose it. It is a gift. And God doesn’t give with sticky fingers. Why is this important? 1. Because you are right with God, you can ALWAYS...
Faith Expressed Through Love
My religious acts are useless. My past is forgotten. My future is glorious. The only thing that matters is my faith in Christ expressed through love. My faith is knowing Jesus died for my sins therefore I am completely forgiven and righteous (right with God). In spite of my past, regardless to today’s mistake, despite tomorrow’s troubles I am righteous. Because of that righteousness, I can love the unlovable. I...
The Challenge – Week 2 Day 5
You would be hard pressed to find a Christian who has not heard, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” It is truth. It is biblical. But it’s not the WHOLE TRUTH. Yes, we have all sinned but we have all been justified through the shedding of His blood. Yes, we have all fallen short but we have all been made right with God when...
The Challenge – Week 2 Day 4
Because He died, I live for righteousness. Because He bore my sin, I am immune from the penalty and power of sin. Because He was wounded, I am healed. Because He arose, I am redeemed, restored, renewed. Because He defeated death, I am victorious. Because He sits, I am empowered. Because He reigns, I reign. Jesus paid it ALL. Jesus gave it ALL....