When There Is Nothing Left To Hope For | May 2, 2017
This set of verses has brought me more courage during times of challenge than any other. Abraham, looking beyond any resource he could call upon naturally, kept believing God for more. I love the way the God's Word Translation puts it, "When there was nothing left to hope for..."
In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO shall your descendants be.” Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness.
Romans 4:18-22 (NASB)
The Doors Faith Open | May 3, 2017
Faith in Jesus is the key to opening many spiritual doors that we are often unaware of. Once we put our trust in Jesus, this key is turned and all the treasures of heaven are opened up to us. In this chapter, Paul begins by telling us that as we have put our trust in Christ, four profound things happen.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 (NASB)
Are You Really A Sinner Still? | May 5, 2017
I hear it all the time. "I'm just a sinner." Sometimes but rarely, the person may say, "But I'm saved by grace." This has bothered me for a couple of decades, because God calls those who have trusted Christ and have come into a relationship with Him, "saints," not sinners. We are holy ones, not "sinners."
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:10-11 (NASB)