I remember the old saying, “Two things you cannot avoid is, death and taxes” The reality is that you can avoid taxes, but it may get you placed in jail, but death, that is a porthole that all people will go through. It is the proof that we are sinners (Romans 3:23), and that we must pay the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). Our condemnation is not based on how bad we are, because according to John 3:18 we are all born “condemned already”. Yet because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we can come to understand 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. BUT thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (emphasis mine).We do not have to fear death and its power, because death does not bring an end, and judgment, for the believer, death brings a new beginning and true peace and joy. The knowledge that our lives here on earth have meaning and purpose as God enables us to be used to exalt the Kingdom of God. And … READ MORE

“HOPE” this is such a little word, but it has such important implications. Without it we often loose perspective and give up. This year in the NCAA Basketball tournament, UMBC was given no hope as the 16th seed against the number 1 seed, Virginia. They were assigned a task that no one in the history of the tournament had ever done, a 16 seed defeat a number 1 seed. Yet someone forgot to tell UMBC that they had no HOPE of winning. So they not only won but destroyed Virginia, winning by 20 points. I Peter 1:3-7 reminds us that we too have “HOPE” in this life, because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope can not be taken from the believer, because of who Jesus is and what He has done. Are you allowing your HOPE to be robbed by circumstances, people or Satan? Learn to live in the power of the resurrection, and find your HOPE outside of this world, and that will help you as you face the “Virginia’s” of this world. You can not only overcome them, but crush then in their defeat.… READ MORE

The Jewish leaders thought they had finally rid themselves of the radical rabbi. The Gentile leadership, hoped that they had stopped the potential insurrection. Satan thought he had beaten God at his own game. In reality, they all played into the plan and purpose of God. Matthew’s gospel records several times, that “all these were done so that it might be fulfilled” According to 1 Corinthians 15 the proof that the death of Christ was sufficient to take away our sins, is seen in the resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:13 says, “If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” That leads to 1 Corinthians 15:2 which reminds us that “now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have died.” The hope of our lives is not in amassing untold wealth, or in becoming infamous in our person. The hope of our lives is eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is only through Him that what we do has meaning and purpose. Perhaps not to the multitudes and the history of mankind. But in the recording in heaven. If you want to find meaning and … READ MORE