Ephesians 2:1-3 characterizes a life that does not have Christ. Man does not BECOME spiritually dead because he sins, he is spiritually dead because by nature he is sinful. Our condition has nothing to do with the way we live, but it has everything to do with the fact that we are dead spiritually even while we are alive physically. A person who is spiritually dead has no life by which they can respond to spiritual things. In other words, committing sinful acts does not make us sinners: we commit sinful acts because we are sinners. While we may vary greatly in our levels of human goodness and wickedness, we still fall short of God’s holiness, (Romans 2:23). Paul’s purpose in verses 1-3 is not to show how unsaved people live, but to remind believers how they themselves “formerly walked and formerly lived.” Because of Christ’s past work of salvation in us, we are presently and eternally under His love and delivered from the natural human condition of death, sin, lust and divine judgment. Remember my friends, Salvation is FROM sin and BY love. God’s mercy and love provide a way for believers to participate in the righteousness of His … READ MORE

Psalm 118 opens us with a command to “give thanks to the LORD” This sets the tone for this Psalm and reminds us that as a command we are to look for things to praise the Lord about. There are two reasons for us praise the Lord: One, he is good – God does nothing that is not for His glory and our good. We can trust Him in the midst of our circumstances to produce and direct His will in our lives. Not only that but we are told that “His mercy endures forever” The word “mercy” comes from the Hebrew word for “covenantal love!” and reminds us that God has established a covenant with His children, that will endure forever (even after we die), and therefore we can rest in that plan. As you set out for today, or as you conclude this day, remember that God’s covenantal love will last forever! Trust Him with your life and your future, and allow Him to direct your path. … READ MORE

The main way our children will grow up to love and serve the Lord is through His Word. The best thing we can do for our children is to instill in them from an early age the importance of reading, studying, memorizing, and obeying God’s Word. In order to do this, we must understand that we will not impart what you do not possess. If your children seldom see you seeking God through His Word, they won’t catch it for themselves. I strongly encourage you to begin reading the Bible to your children even when they are very young. Stick to the story portions until they are old enough to listen to the likes of Romans. But salvation is built on the knowledge of the truth revealed in Scripture. Not only will we build a desire to read the Word of God, but we will work hard at modeling the implementation of God’s word in our daily lives. God can use us as He used Loic, a grandmother, ion Timothy’s life. Walk in God in sincerer faith. Use His Word to lead your children and grandchildren to the same sincere faith and to train them in God’s ways. You will … READ MORE