We talk a lot about freedom – Jesus came to set the captives free, and if the Son has set you free you are free indeed!  But did you ever consider the height, width and depth of this freedom? I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself […]

Tests can be challenging. I remember studying relentlessly for a calculus test back in college. The instructor had the goal of ensuring that his students learned certain concepts by the end of the course and had written his test to discover whether or not we had in fact learned those concepts. Happily, I aced it, even the bonus questions. In so doing, I was awarded a perfect score and had the satisfaction of having learned the material for future use in my professional career. God often tests His people with respect to spiritual matters. Why does He test us? Ultimately, […]

At the age of nine, I vividly recall mom’s dependency on welfare. She sold our couches, fans and lamps to the landlord in lieu of rent when times were extra lean. Eventually, after one lamp offer too many, the landlord declined, suggesting instead Mom attend his church in exchange for one month of free rent. This sacrificial gesture changed the course of our lives forever. It didn’t take long to realize aliens had abducted Mom … at least that’s what my young mind imagined when her random curse words disappeared and the smile across her face wasn’t from something she […]

This month at The Good News our theme is Redemption and I immediately thought about the blood of Jesus. How is it that we can be saved from all of our sins by having them washed away by blood? And what was the high price paid for our redemption? Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” We were purchased with a great price when our Lord Jesus shed His blood for us, and now […]

(Scroll down to leave a comment on what makes a spiritual snob) Spiritual snobs are everywhere.  Have you seen any lately?  Do you know what a spiritual snob looks like?  At times, you may see one looking at you in the mirror! What makes a spiritual snob? We are all spiritual snobs by nature; it’s woven deep into our sinful DNA. We like to judge others on everything from lifestyle to looks . . . money to Life . . . personality to profession. We spend far too much time searching for and speaking about the speck in the eye […]

It has been well said, I don’t know by whom, that while God accepts us wherever we are at in life, He loves us too much to leave us there. The Apostle Paul echoed this sentiment when we wrote that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim. 1:15). Throughout the Scriptures we see God redeeming those who appear to be useless and beyond all hope of change. While worldly thinking tends to value people based on their income bracket, job title or looks, God sees people themselves as having great value […]