If you feel unworthy of God’s love and salvation, that is precisely why Jesus came! He specializes in radically transforming the least deserving. The Gospel is founded on this shocking truth: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He came to rescue the lost. His grace is freely…
We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. Our salvation is all of grace from beginning to end. But this free gift changes us and bears fruit in a new way of living. Grace reigns in our hearts so that righteousness reigns in our…
God’s grace is an undeserved, unmerited gift. It is not something we could ever earn through our own efforts. When we understand the depth of our sin, helplessness and inability to save ourselves, we desperately seek deliverance. We search for protection from the coming storm of God’s wrath against all…
Since we have been so richly blessed with new life, victory, and security in Christ, we should stand firm in the gift of salvation. Let us not take for granted or forget what God has done for us. God’s grace toward us is a firm foundation, a solid rock upon…
In saving us, God intends to “show the immeasurable riches of his grace” toward us (Eph. 2:7). We cannot begin to fathom the depths of God’s mercy or comprehend the tenderness and strength of his love. But we see glimpses of it as he daily pours out grace upon grace…
“By grace you have been saved,” Paul declares in Ephesians 2:5. God saved us not because of any good deed or merit in us, but solely because of his abundant mercy and great love. We contributed absolutely nothing to our salvation; it was an entirely undeserved gift from start to…
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked” (Ephesians 2:1). Before meeting Christ, we were trapped in spiritual death, utterly incapable of saving ourselves or earning favor with God. Our sinful desires controlled us and we were obliviously headed for destruction. Reflect deeply on…
Paul says that God fills the church, Christ’s body, with His very presence and power (Ephesians 1:22-23). Just as God’s glory once filled the temple in the Old Testament, now His Spirit fills the church – comprised of individual believers like you and me. What an amazing privilege! Not only…
Paul also prays we would know “the immeasurable greatness of [God’s] power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19). The same God who raised Jesus from the dead after being in the grave three days has limitless power available to us as His followers. Yet we often live defeated, discouraged, and…
Paul also wants us to know more fully “the riches of [God’s] glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18). Though we look forward to the amazing inheritance we will receive from God, this phrase actually refers to something different – our value and worth to God as His people. While…
The first essential truth Paul wants us to know and experience is “the hope to which God has called us” (Ephesians 1:18). This hope is nothing less than the glorious future that awaits all believers in Jesus. It includes the promise of a new creation, transformed physical bodies, eternal life…
In Ephesians 1:18, Paul prays for the eyes of the Ephesians’ hearts to be enlightened. We often read the Bible and hear sermons about God’s truth, yet fail to fully grasp and internalize those spiritual truths. We need more than just information—we need revelation that penetrates our hearts. That happens…
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14) Our supreme…
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13) The Holy Spirit within us is God’s seal and guarantee, reassuring us that one day we will come into our full…
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11–12) Our God…
Ephesians 1:13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” Our salvation is not earned by what we do or accomplish through our own effort. It is freely received by believing…
Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we have obtained an inheritance…” Through our union with Christ, we have the astounding confidence of an eternal inheritance awaiting us. Despite the various struggles we face in this mortal life – illness, grief, poverty, injustice – we can endure them with patience and hope,…
Like Brandt Jean, we can extend remarkable forgiveness to others by God’s grace. As Christians, we are called to be people of forgiveness, reflecting the mercy that was shown to us (Eph 4:32). Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to be harmed. It only breeds bitterness…
We have been reconciled to God through the blood of Christ. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us and made peace through his cross (Rom 5:10; Col 1:20). Now he has given us this ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). He has commissioned us as his ambassadors of…
God, in his great wisdom, has chosen to reveal his magnificent plan to us – to unite all things under the loving lordship of Christ (Eph 1:9-10). All of creation was meant to be under Christ’s headship, living in harmony under God’s wise and gracious rule. But sin corrupted everything,…
We were absolutely helpless, enslaved to the guilt and power of sin. Our condition was utterly hopeless. But Jesus willingly took all our sins upon himself and paid the ultimate price to secure our full redemption. Though we were guilty captives on death row, Jesus came and said, “I’ll take…
We all carry guilt from sins we’ve committed. Like Amber Guyger, we’ve harmed others, even unintentionally. Whether it’s lying, cheating, being harsh with our words, or any other trespass, we all have regrets. These failures can haunt us, keeping us stuck in shame and despair. But the good news is…
Text: Ephesians 1 Remember today who you are in Christ – loved, chosen, adopted, blessed beyond measure – and stand firm in your true identity. Don’t let anything shake you from the rock of God’s amazing grace shown to you in Jesus. Fix your eyes on his steadfast love, take…
Text: Ephesians 1 God didn’t choose you because you were holy, but he did choose you to become holy by the power of the Spirit. Pursue your high destiny in Christ today through the Spirit’s power. Is there an area of thought, attitude, speech or behavior he is calling you…
Text: Ephesians 1 All of God’s blessings reside in Christ, and if you have Christ, you have everything you need for life and godliness. Every spiritual blessing – like forgiveness, joy, peace, hope, adoption, wisdom, eternal life – is yours in Jesus. What spiritual blessing do you most need to…
Text: Ephesians 1 If you belong to Christ, you have been adopted into God’s family. You are no longer an orphan wandering alone through life, but a beloved child welcomed home. You can now call the Most High your Father. You have an older brother named Jesus who protects you.…
Text: Ephesians 1 Before you did anything good or bad, before you accomplished anything noteworthy, before you even existed, God set his love on you and chose you to be his own. He didn’t choose you because you were wiser, stronger, or more spiritual than others. Not because of anything…
Looking for a book recommendation? Check out these books I read in 2023.
Devotional Day 5: “Bringing Back the Wanderers” “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back…” James 5:19 Like football player Roy Riegals, I’ve gone the wrong way before. Shame wanted to bench me, but grace put me back in the game! If you’ve…
Devotional Day 4: “Bringing Back the Wanderers” “…whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will…cover a multitude of sins.” – James 5:20 I can’t atone for anyone’s sin. But by God’s grace, I can be part of bringing wanderers back to the saving love of Jesus. His blood is…
Devotional Day 3: “Bringing Back the Wanderers” “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death…” – James 5:19-20 Loving someone enough to call them back…
Devotional Day 2 “Bringing Back the Wanderers” “…and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death…” – James 5:19-20 God calls us to gently restore wanderers in the faith. As uncomfortable as it can be, confronting…
Devotional Day 1 based on “Bringing Back Wanderers” “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth…” – James 5:19 When we wander from God’s truth in belief or behavior, there’s always something beneath the surface influencing us. As I examine areas where I’ve wandered, what desires, hurts, fears…
James 5:17-18 upholds Elijah “a man with a nature like ours” whose prayers unleashed drought and rainfall over Israel. James spotlights him to dispel our doubts in prayer’s potency. We sometimes excuse powerless prayers based on perceived personal inadequacy or disbelief in God’s power. Yet the Bible shows ordinary people…
In sickness and adversity, Scripture charges us to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Yet tragically, many people lack meaningful friendships within the Body of Christ where candid confession and intercessory prayer occur. We often try going it…
In James 5:15, James connects sin and sickness, urging the sick to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Scripture testifies sickness can at times result from or reveal sin which calls for repentance and forgiveness (Ps 38:3, Ps 107:17, 1…
James 5:14-15 instructs church elders to anoint the sick with oil and pray over them for their healing, exhibiting bold faith that “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” Too often we doubt God’s power and fail to earnestly…
James 5:13 instructs, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” Rather than wallowing in self-pity when we suffer, we should immediately bring our pain to God in prayer. Just as the Psalmist cried out to God from “the belly of Sheol” (Ps 30:3), so God wants us to cast…
Introduction I don’t know about you, but sometimes the most difficult thing for me to focus on during this season of the year is the actual reason for the season. Between children wrapping up school for the semester, fall sports coming to an end, travel to visit family, normal church…
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Wealth itself is not evil, but loving it is dangerous. Paul instructs the rich not to be arrogant or find hope in riches but set their hope fully on God. Those blessed with wealth are to use it for good works and generosity, thus storing up…
Scripture: Ezekiel 16:49 God condemned Sodom for its pride, gluttony and neglect of the poor – the same sins he saw in his people. It’s easy for us to live in comfort while ignoring those in need around us. But God calls us to openhanded generosity, not selfish indulgence. Our…
Scripture: James 5:4 Exploiting workers to enrich yourself provokes the judgment of God. Withholding wages may seem trivial but has serious consequences. As stewards, we must deal justly with those we employ. God hears their cries and cares for the vulnerable. We glorify him when we imitate his compassion and…
Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21 Earthly riches do not last, but heavenly treasures are eternal. As Christians, our focus should not be accumulating perishable wealth but investing in the kingdom of God. This means generously giving to others in need and supporting gospel-advancing work. Such giving stores up eternal reward. Reflection:
Scripture: Psalm 73:2-3 It’s easy to look at the unrighteous rich and wish we had their lives. Their prosperity and ease can seem appealing. But Asaph reminds us that envy only leads to stumbling. The unrighteous rich face judgment while the righteous endure with hope in God’s justice. Let’s not…
Humble submission involves actively acknowledging God’s sovereignty in our decision-making. As we make plans, it’s essential to bring them before the Lord, recognizing that His will may differ from ours. This submission leads to a profound trust that even when our plans falter, God’s purpose prevails. Reflection Questions:
Trusting God with the unknown requires acknowledging that His plans supersede ours. Even when our best-laid plans fall apart, God is working all things together for our good. This trust allows us to find peace in the midst of uncertainties, knowing that His love and purpose prevail. Reflection Questions:
In James 4:15, we are encouraged to introduce humility into our plans by saying, “If the Lord wills.” This small phrase has significant implications, reminding us that God is the ultimate determiner of our paths. Embracing the “if the Lord wills” mindset shifts our focus from self-reliance to humble dependence…
James compares our lives to a mist, fleeting and transient. This analogy challenges our tendency to boast in our achievements, reminding us of our limited time on earth. As you reflect on the brevity of life, consider how you can live with a deeper sense of purpose and reliance on…
In the pursuit of our ambitions and aspirations, it’s easy to forget the fragility of our plans. The story of Colman Mockler serves as a stark reminder that despite meticulous planning and apparent success, life can take unexpected turns. James urges us to recognize the inherent uncertainty in our lives…
If we exalt ourselves, we will be humbled. But if we humble ourselves before God and one another, it is God who will exalt us. That is exactly the opposite of what the world says. The world says exalt yourself and you will be exalted. But the truth is that…
How does we draw near to God? By humbling ourselves, acknowledging our dependence upon him, and acknowledging our sinful pride that separates us from him. One of the chief ways we draw near to God is through prayer. It does not have to be a long prayer. To pray thoughtfully…
The solution to our prideful arrogance and insistence on our own way is to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7). Submission entails showing the appropriate respect, honor, and obedience that is due to God. It is to repudiate our egotism, our aloofness, our insistence on our own way in order…
In the midst of the cesspool of our selfish desires causing all sorts of conflicts among us, James reminds us that God “gives more grace.” God gives this grace so that we would overcome the malevolent envy that causes quarrels and fights among us. Alec Moyer writes: “…God is tirelessly…
James 4 by asking us to take a look inside our hearts, our families, and our relationships in our churches to identify the source of our quarreling and fighting. James asks in verse 1, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions…
James says the one who doesn’t stumble in what he says is perfect or mature (James 3:2). Clearly none of us measure up! But we can grow in self-control over our speech. Periodically fasting from words can be clarifying. We may be amazed by how many words we speak that…
James argues no one can fully tame the tongue (James 3:8). Efforts to control our speech will fall short without heart change. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil” (Luke 6:45). The overflow…
James highlights our tendency to “bless God and curse men” in the same breath (James 3:9-10). We worship on Sunday then gossip on Monday. We pray eloquent prayers then slander our neighbor. Our words contradict our faith. But by God’s grace, our mouths can become “a fountain of life” (Proverbs…
The tongue is powerful despite its small size, says James. A bit in a horse’s mouth controls its whole body. A small rudder steers a massive ship (James 3:3-5). Likewise our tongues boast “great things” though they are tiny (v.5). A careless word can destroy a relationship or reputation. An…
James warns that teachers will face stricter judgment because of their influence (James 3:1). As Christians, we all stumble with our words (v.2). If we could completely control our tongues, we would be perfect! But often angry, critical, or thoughtless words slip out despite our best intentions. Controlling our speech…
James writes, “You see that faith was active along with [Abraham’s] works, and faith was completed by his works” (James 2:22). Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac was the completion and fulfillment of his faith in God. In the same way, our faith is perfected when we live out our trust…
To explain that faith without works is dead, James gives the examples of Abraham and Rahab who were “justified by works” (James 2:21, 25). This does not contradict justification by faith alone. Rather, it shows that genuine faith will demonstrate itself through righteous actions. The faith that justifies us before…
James writes, “You see that faith was active along with [Abraham’s] works, and faith was completed by his works” (James 2:22). He does not separate faith and works but shows how genuine faith results in action. We don’t earn salvation through good deeds, but true faith transforms us to live…
James challenges us to examine whether our faith is alive or dead – whether it’s just an abstract idea or something that shows itself through action. He writes “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). Is your faith visible through works of love and…
On this Independence Day, I invite you to join me in considering the largely unknown verses of The Star Spangled Banner.
No one has done more to shape my understanding of the good news of the gospel than Tim Keller.
A succinct and savory introduction to the breadth of Christ’s person and work.
Some of us go through our days asking how we can be effective and make a difference. Others of us are drifting through life. But still others are dead-set on wasting their life. If that is you, here are three simple tips to get you there faster.
Here is my reason to rejoice today despite intimate knowledge of my own failures: by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
The new year is a perfect time to shake things up and try something new with your spouse.
Moby Dick Questions? These are the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Moby Dick without readily available answers, Conveniently Answered in One Place!
Want to prioritize your relationship in 2023? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
If strengthening your marriage is on your list of resolutions for 2023, here are a few ideas to get you started.
At its core, “A Christmas Carol” is a story about redemption and the transformative power of love and kindness.
In light of today’s jury decision, it is no wonder the families of the Parkland victims feel as though the justice system failed them.
Like many parents, we are learning to navigate the reality of raising a teenager in the smart phone age.
On your next date, try out these questions to connect and cultivate a deeper level of intimacy.
With everything at our fingertips, anytime, anywhere, it’s easy to get distracted by the vast amount of information and entertainment online. Even more challenging is the fact that we are up against apps and websites that are scientifically engineered to keep us hooked. While we’re constantly checking our emails and notifications…
One of the lesser-known ministries of Covenant Church is called the “Covenant Pulpit.” Many in our church know that we print the sermon each week and make it available to those who attend. But a lesser-known fact is that we also mail copies of these sermons to prisons across Florida.…
On Saturday, in the snowy West Virginia soil, we laid Rev. M. Jack Bohman to rest. He died suddenly Sunday evening at 77. His last day was a good day, and like so many Sundays before that: he preached twice, enjoyed lunch with his wife Cindy, made a visit to…
18 fun and engaging questions for couples to ask on their anniversary!
If you’re looking for a new resource in 2022 to guide your quiet times with the Lord, I highly recommend “Be Thou My Vision.”
Who could be happier than the mother of a son like Jesus?
…whatever our reasons for not evangelizing the Jewish people, when we do not do so we are acting contrary to scriptural example and teaching.
For years I have heard people I respect speak high praise of Marilynne Robinson. For years I have thought I should read one of her novels. And this summer, I finally did. Gilead was published in 2004 and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. Set in the small town…
Like many people, I first encountered Eugene Peterson through “The Message”; that tremendous effort to translate the entire Bible into the American vernacular. While I appreciated aspects of that translation (and I certainly appreciate the effort involved), I didn’t personally care much for the experience of reading it. But what…
I like to get things done. So do you. But there are a million distractions that stand in the way of the accomplishment of our goals. Those with the strength of will to resist those distractions are getting the most done. Those without the strength of will, are watching them…
“Only he that is alone can live in the fellowship. Only in the fellowship do we learn to be rightly alone and only in aloneness do we learn to live rightly in the fellowship.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, trans. John W. Doberstein, 1st ed. (New York: Harper, 1954), 77–78. In…
The following is a continuation of the sermon I preached on Sunday March 28 entitled, “Lust.”
With Jesus, tomorrow doesn’t have to be the same as today. The patterns of the past don’t have to be the patterns of the future.
When I focus on the character flaws of others, I become increasingly proud and blind to my own sins.
Jesus did not die on the cross to establish a church who is a prop for the State.
O Thou whose love to man was proven in the passion and death of Jesus Christ our Lord, let the power of His cross be with me today.
This Sunday, we will be receiving a very large group of new members into the Covenant family and performing two adult baptisms by immersion during the 11:15AM worship service. Receiving new members into the church is nothing new for us, but baptizing by immersion during the worship service certainly is.[i] For…
The story it tells of two young Jewish men and their fathers is interesting, enlightening, and it touched my heart.
Do the proportions of your preaching texts reflect the proportions of the Bible?
If you haven’t watched the video of George Floyd being executed in the streets of Minneapolis, you should. Even if it’s hard, even if it makes you sick. Because frankly, we all need to be sick over what happened on that street in the sight of God and a growing…
Your fears have something important to teach you, and I suggest you listen to them. “Listen to your fears?” This sounds contrary to the advice we expect to hear when we’re fearful. “Ignore your fears” or “face your fears” are much more commonly accepted approaches to vanquishing the fears hiding…
I have never written poetry and I read very little of it. Both of these statements will be self-evident soon enough. 🙂 Nevertheless, my kids have been composing poems so I thought I would try my hand. Here goes! Composed: March 25-May 15, 2020 I wrote and tweaked this over…
Squirrels are cute little creatures. Growing up in West Virginia, squirrel hunting is often a gateway into the harvesting of other larger creatures such as deer, turkey, or black bears. I no longer hunt and I don’t know this for a fact, but I suspect the reason we start with…
“I’m so busy!” It’s one of the most common phrases in the English language, and it’s a true statement for most of us. But under the surface of that statement, we are also signaling our importance, our work ethic, our commitment to hustle, our unavailability to help with whatever someone…
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be…
(If you’re looking for more Moby Dick answers, check out my post: “All Your Moby Dick Questions Answered!”) Stories of self-destruction abound. I recently told a biblical one in an eight-part sermon series on Samson earlier this year at Covenant Church. But tucked away in one brief little chapter in…
Fluency in Biblical Hebrew is a worthy goal for any student of the Bible, but especially for those who are called to preach or teach it vocationally. I’ve been studying Hebrew for approximately 13 years now and I can say that I’ve found Hebrew much more difficult to attain reading…
God’s grace motivates our good works, not the other way around. When we have tasted His undeserved favor, we are compelled to live for Him out of gratitude, not from guilt or even primarily from duty. We obey not to earn something from God, but because we have already been…
To receive the gift of salvation, we must come to God with empty hands of faith. This means recognizing our complete inability to save ourselves by good works or religious deeds. It means confessing we have nothing to offer the Lord that could earn His favor. Faith is laying aside…
