Dear Redeeming Grace, As Dave reminded us so well last week, God's promises to us always prevail. Whether we feel we are under the darkest cloud, or in the warmth of the shining sun, God does not change. In fact, His word reminds us of this truth. The writer of Hebrews, led by the Spirit states it this way: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (He...

Dear Redeeming Grace, Psalm 24 opens with wonderful words of comfort for us: "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof...." I use the word "comfort" because this truth reminds us that our God not only owns, but is the caretaker of all the earth and everything in it. Everything belongs to him and his under his sovereign care, including our lives. Our days can be ...

Dear Redeeming Grace, Last week we marveled that God does not restrain his mercy from us. This week we want celebrate that his grace overflows for us. We can meditate on that truth as we hear Paul testifying in his own words, as we did on Sunday in Acts. As Paul opens his letter to Timothy, he recounts his own salvation once again. It's not a picture that flatters Paul, ...

Dear Redeeming Grace, A wonderful truth was brought to my attention today from Psalm 40, and it is this: As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! (Psalm 40:11 ESV) Mercy is a term referred to in the Old Testament as "the deep, tender feeling of compassion that was awakened by the troub...

Dear Redeeming Grace, Last week Howard helped us to see, in the life of Paul, two character traits worthy of meditation and emulation -- humility and courage. We really do need both at work in our lives. Humility guards us from being self-centered and overly sure of our own thoughts and opinions. But there is also a danger of false humility which can keep us from acting ...

Dear Redeeming Grace,Last week Dave reminded us of Jesus's words in Matthew 5 that encourage us in how to live for him. Jesus used the illustration of lighting a lamp and putting it on a stand. Then he said:"In the same way, let your light shine before others, sothatthey may see your good works andgive glory to your Father who is in heaven."(Matt. 5:16 ESV)As Christians, w...

Dear Redeeming Grace, In his message last Sunday, Jason reminded us that Jesus powerfully transforms idolatrous hearts. For each and every one of us who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ, this is true of us! We may not have statues on our shelves, but many things battle for the title of "greatest treasure" in our hearts. We are confronted with the first co...

Dear Redeeming Grace, Last week in Acts 18 we thought about three examples of humble servants. As we looked at Paul's actions, we saw a man whose life was submitted to the Lord. He had a mindset that his life belonged fully to the Lord. This mindset is even further confirmed by what he tells the believers in his letter to the Romans. Listen to Paul's words in Romans 14:8...

Dear Redeeming Grace, There are four simple words that can make all the difference in our lives: "I am with you." This is the promise God spoke to Paul that we looked at last Sunday: And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you..." (Acts 18:9-10a ESV) Dave reminded us last week how God's ...

Dear Redeeming Grace, Last week we enjoyed having Bill Kittrell, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville, preach counsel from the Psalms to us from Psalm 34. In this poem, David reflected on a fearful situation. And through the text, we learned four ways we can respond in our own times of fear. One of those ways was to cry out to the Lord in prayer. On the surfa...