Living By The Word

  A God Who Gets the Human Experience ( June 11, 2025) “ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) Sometimes a welcome blessing that we can share with others is our genuine compassion and understanding based on personal experience. There are difficult times when we need the empathy of a family member, friend, or other trusted person who can genuinely relate to what we’re going through. It is comforting to share our burdens with someone who has dealt with similar situations and knows first-hand how we feel. We have found such a friend when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who, above everyone else, understands the human condition. Our Savior lived among humanity as God incarnate and, unlike us all, did it without blemish so that He could become the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Having trod this earth as both God and man for about 33 years, Jesus can personally relate to any circumstance that we experience in our modern da...

  A Place in Paradise (June 4, 2025) “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) In a fallen world in which human nature has been corrupted by sin, we should thank God constantly for His abiding grace. Although many are in a state of denial, God’s Word says we are all sinners who have fallen short of His glory and, as a result, deserve to suffer the consequence of our transgressions, spiritual death. Thankfully, though, God is merciful and does not will that we get what we deserve. Instead, He has offered each of us what we do not deserve—His grace—when we turn away from our sins and come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness, salvation, and an eternal home in the paradise of heaven. No sin, however despicable, is beyond the far reaches of God’s amazing grace. Only outright rejection of this unmerited favor offered by the LORD condemns the unbeliever to His wrathful judgment. Crucified between two criminals on a hil...

  Make Peace in a Conflict-torn World ( May 5, 2025) Regrettably, I can recall many times in my life when my words and actions contributed to conflict rather than helped to resolve it. However, we cannot dwell upon our past mistakes, but must count them as learning experiences and move forward, purposing not to repeat them. In a world teeming with division, discord, and dissent, we should be engaged in efforts to diffuse conflicts and promote peace in our relationships with other people. As Jesus Christ’s ambassadors to the world, Christians are called to be peacemakers! “ P ursue peace with all  people,  and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. ” (Hebrews 12:14) Providing encouragement and commendable examples for us to follow are many biblical peacemakers. Joseph forgave his jealous brothers who had sold him into Egyptian slavery, saying what they’d intended for evil, God meant for good. Jonathan sought to make peace between his jealous father, ...

  Tested by Trials ( April 23, 2025) Jesus said, “ These things I have spoken to you, that   in Me you may have peace.   In the world you   will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,   I have overcome the world. ” (John 16:33) We all face troubles, trials, and temptations in our lives! Personal hardships are an integral part of living in an imperfect world corrupted by sin. No one looks forward to these trying seasons, but we know they will come. Christians are certainly not exempt from painful afflictions. In fact, Jesus told His disciples to expect tribulation. In a worldly society where God’s Word is increasingly compromised and Christianity marginalized, followers of Jesus Christ are also confronted with ridicule, injustice, and in many parts of the world, extreme persecution. Hardships are an inevitable test of our faith, but believers must claim the promise of a faithful God to work even the most difficult circumstances we face to our ultimate benefi...

The Symbolism of the Cross ( April 18, 2025) “ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) Representing the hope of everlasting life that is offered to all who trust in Jesus Christ, the cross is the most prominent symbol of Easter and Christianity. First, the Cross of Christ is a symbol of our Savior’s suffering. We cannot comprehend the excruciating pain and shame that Jesus endured at Calvary for you and me. He was brutally beaten, whipped, spat upon, scourged, insulted, mocked, and disfigured. Our L ORD ’s body was pierced for our sake—a crown of thorns was thrust into His head, penetrating flesh to the skull, and iron spikes nailed Him and our sins to that tree, causing Christ unbearable agony. Jesus’ suffering on that rugged cross was unimaginable. He did it for us; He did it out of love for you and me! “ But He  was  wounded for our transgression...

  The Name that Saves! ( April 11, 2025) “ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,   that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and  that  every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ  is  Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) It is the most precious, priceless, prominent, and powerful name ever spoken! It is the sweetest name that can grace human lips and warm our hearts. It is the most honorable and glorious name ever conceived. Indescribably beautiful, it is the name above all names—Jesus Christ! This magnificent name is all-encompassing. The matchless name of Jesus signifies the gentleness of an autumn breeze caressing the petals of a lovely flower kissed by the rays of a radian sun. Yet this most exalted of names speaks of the awesome power that created the universe, laid the foun...