“Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are…

Perhaps the earliest Christian confession of faith is the statement “Jesus is Lord.” Missionary statesman and author, E. Stanley Jones, used three raised fingers (the peace sign plus ring finger) to represent these three profound words. This theme is woven throughout the New Testament. “…preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord…

Adam was created and placed in a beautiful garden, having fellowship with His creator, and all His needs met—well, most of his needs.  He had all he could want— plenty of food, no disease, no battles to fight, no crime, no one angling to get his job, no sin. Things were good! Just not yet…

“As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15,16). “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so…

Fear fades when the heart is captivated by Christ. Worship turns the mind toward the One who holds the keys of life. Introduction: When Setting the Mind Isn’t Enough In Part 1 of this series, we explored how the fear of death can be compared to watching a fictional movie of the old self—a false…

Turn off the fictional narrative—the real you in Christ is fearless and free. Introduction: A Relatable Struggle with Fear Recently, I was guiding a dear brother in Christ through some intrusive and recurring thoughts about death. Although he deeply believes in Christ and knows intellectually that he will go to heaven, the fear of death…

As a child of fallen Adam you could not be restored to innocence, or brought back in righteousness to God [Rom. 5:12]. Divine justice could only pass upon you the sentence of utter condemnation. If that condemnation had fallen upon you in your own person, you would have been lost forever, but, thank God! it…

“For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” – the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:2) “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice.  – John the Baptist (John 3:29) [At the…

Have you ever witnessed an artist transcend their craft? A musician, for example, who consistently delivers excellence but occasionally reaches a level so extraordinary that it leaves you speechless. Listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rendition of Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix reminds me of this. His usual brilliance as a guitarist is undeniable, but there…