Dead to Sin, Alive to God

Scripture: Psalm 119:81-120, Romans 6.

Gospel summary: My old, sinful, disobedient self has been crucified with Christ and a new, righteous, obedient self has been raised with Christ, so I now have the power to resist temptations to sin and to live a godly life unto the Lord. The power of sin has been broken over me and the power to obey God's holy law has been granted to me, though I must lean in daily dependence upon God's strength to obey.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you that when Christ died, I died; when Christ was buried, I was buried; and when Christ arose to never-ending life, I arose also to never-ending life. Thank you for uniting me to Christ and conquering my sinful bent. Help me to live in dependence upon your Spirit continually, always aware that this new life is a work of your grace in me and not a result of my own effort. Help me also to not assume that since I'm forgiven, I can live however I want now. Help me to live out the holiness you are working in me with the diligence, resistance, and strenuous effort you supply, for the glory of your great Son. Help me to reckon myself dead to sin, but alive to God. I know that you have purchased for me not only my salvation, but also my sanctification, so grant me the grace to grow in Christ-likeness each day. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Memory verse: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires" (Romans 6:12 HCSB)

Hymn: "Called unto Holiness" by Leila N. Morris

When Tragedy Strikes

On Sunday night, the most deadly shooting in American history by a single gunman occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada. As of now, the death toll is nearing 60, with over 500 others injured. Before I begin addressing this tragedy from God’s Word, I must share that our prayers are with those affected by this horrific event. God's grace be with you all.
The question on many people’s minds after Sunday night’s shooting is, “Why?”
Scripture warns us against putting our own interpretation on tragic events like this and attempting to fill in the blanks that only God knows. But Scripture does not leave us totally in the dark during times like this. While we may never have Christ’s perfect knowledge and know the infinite number of reasons any one event occurs, we can have a biblical worldview with which to make sense of these things.

Why would someone commit such acts of evil?

One of the first things investigators delve into after a shooting tragedy is the issue of the gunman’s motive. Ironica…

Why the World Needs the Church

We live in a time of growing polarization on many levels. People are divided politically and culturally in this nation. The long-held ways of the past are constantly clashing with the new way of openness and diversity. Because of this, many in the church believe we should downplay our differences and speak only of our similarities with the world around us. After all, we’ve been out of touch with society in the past. But God’s Word has a completely different solution to the problem we face. Instead of minimizing our differences with the world, Scripture elevates them. In fact, the Bible teaches that it is our very separateness with the world that will most effectively impact it. The world needs our gospel-shaped living In Philippians 3:17-4:1, the Apostle Paul describes the difference between the world and the church. Here he gives us at least five reasons we are different from the unbelieving world in which we live. We have a different enemy- The world is at enmity with the gospel itself…

He Was Cursed So I'd Be Blessed

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 21, Psalm 108-109, Isaiah 48, Revelation 18.

Gospel summary: Left to ourselves, we would have no hope in this world. The enemy of our souls would seduce us and lead us astray to everlasting destruction. Our only hope is found in the steadfast love of God, who sent his Son to bear the curse of our sins on the cross. Since Jesus died in our place and rose again from the dead, we who hope in him have hope that will last beyond the fall of this world. Since Jesus took the curse we deserved for our sins, we have nothing to fear when this world's condemnation finally comes. We are forever safe in the arms of Jesus and he gives us strength to persevere all the attacks of the enemy and until that Day comes.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you that Jesus bore the curse for my sins so that I could know the blessing of your love. Left to myself I would be a hard-hearted rebel serving my own selfish will, so give me grace to cling to Jesus each day. Help me to s…

To the Praise of His Glorious Grace

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