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 ...
Keep ReadingDear 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...
Keep ReadingDear 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...
Keep ReadingDear 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...
Keep ReadingDear 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 ...
Keep ReadingDear 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...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, Last week, Jason reminded us of this: "In a fallen world there is a battle for glory every day." Indeed, from the first sin, when Adam and Eve gave in to the temptation of Satan and disobeyed God's good command, there has been a battle. In that moment it's as if humanity said to God "You're not enough". And since that first rebellion, we've all creat...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace,Last week we continued to marvel at how the preaching of the gospel compels people. In other words, it draws people and convinces them of the truth. And Dave helped us see the importance of holding fast to this message. One truth that should give us great comfort is that the message itself has the power to convince and compel people. As we hear Paul s...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, In his message last Sunday, Steve brought out the point that our circumstances don't always reflect the fruitfulness of the mission. Paul and Silas found themselves bound in the lower level of a prison, with only a handful of converts and the apparent end of their preaching and the advancement of the gospel message. If they looked only to those circu...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, "All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end." (Penses) These words written by French philosopher, mathematician, and surprising convert to Christianity, Blaise Pascal, still ring true today. You've likely heard the phrase, "Live your best life now." Isn't that in some way what w...
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