The Enjoying God Podcast with Zach Maldonado: Recent Episodes
Zach Maldonado
The Enjoying God Podcast with Zach Maldonado is all about helping you know and enjoy Christ each day. With humor, vulnerability, and biblical insight, each show will help you live free, find rest, and enjoy the love and delight of Jesus. For more great content from Zach, including his books, sermons, and more, check out ZachMaldonado.com
What better way to start the week than knowing that we are in Christ and that He is our righteousness, redemption, wisdom, and sanctification!
In this episode, we examine why God came down as a baby. We hope you enjoy this look into the Christmas story. Merry Christmas!
What does 1 Corinthians 3 mean? And what about 2 Corinthians 5:10? Will we be judged based on our deeds? And do good works matter?
In this episode, Zach and Grace take a closer look at some of the verses that talk about judgment day. If we’re all getting the same reward, then how do our works play into the final judgment? We’ll see that we’re not rewarded because of our works; instead God judges our works to see which ones will last for eternity. As we saw a few episodes ago, we can have confidence, not fear, on the day of judgment.
In this episode, Zach shares a few stories about how he used to view God. In this short episode, you'll be encouraged to see God as a loving friend who is for you.
In this episode, Zach and Grace share a few thoughts on thanksgiving and being grateful. They look at various passages that encourge us to be thankful and what that looks like. Happy Thanksgiving!
The popular notion in Christian circles today is that we’re saved by grace but rewarded by works. Many people claim that how we live on earth will determine how much we enjoy of heaven. These people speak of varying degrees of enjoyment and varying degrees of rewards.
However, Scripture never uses the plural word rewards to talk about what we will get. Instead, the singular word reward is used. Further, God has one way of dealing with His people—unconditional grace.
Further, the apostle Paul considered everything else worthless next to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). His only goal was Christ (Philippians 3:14). In light of this, how do we understand reward?
Many of us have been taught that when we appear in front of Jesus on that day, there’ll be a movie of our life for all to see. But is this what Scripture describes? And how does understanding our total forgiveness change the way we understand judgment?
On this week's episode of the Enjoying God Podcast, Zach opens for a Community Bible Study group. Zach follows the study of the group by discussing the parting of the Red Sea. He goes into detail on remembering the resurrection. No matter what you go through, you can always remember Christ died and rose again for you.
Take a listen!
Is the Holy Spirit convicting believers of something Jesus has taken away? What is the unworthy manner in the Lord's Supper? In this episode, Zach and Grace talk about what the Spirit is doing in our lives, the Lord's Supper, and more!
What is repentance? Is it healthy to feel sorrow and regret when we sin? What does it mean to grieve and quench the Holy Spirit? Zach and Grace discuss these questions and more!
In this episode, Zach and Grace talk about James 5:15 and Hebrews 10:26. Does James 5 say we're not forgiven? And does Hebrews 10 teach that willful sin cannot be forgiven?
Are there two types of forgiveness? Does God forgives us totally in heaven, but daily on earth? And how do we enjoy God's forgiveness of us?
Do we need to ask God to forgive us each day? What does the Lord's prayer mean in light of our total forgiveness?
Some say that we need to confess our sins or ask for forgiveness in order to stay in fellowship with God. But the false idea that Christians can lose fellowship with God is based on a low view of God’s punishment. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), not a lesser punishment—like loss of fellowship. In this episode, we share what the New Testament teaches on this important issue.
Perhaps the single most misunderstood verse in the New Testament is 1 John 1:9. This verse has caused centuries of believers to doubt whether they were really forgiven. Even though there are dozens of verses that speak of our total forgiveness in Christ, this one “proof text” has confused many of us. And I believe once we look at the context of this verse, we’ll discover that the truth always sets us free.
The New Testament shouts to us that we’re completely forgiven and that this forgiveness is solely tied to Jesus and His shed blood. In this episode, Zach and Grace look at what the New Testament says about our forgiveness as well as addressing questions such as, "Does Grace give us a license to sin?" "What about the unforgivable sin?" "Is the whole world forgiven?" and much more.
What does the New Testament teach about our forgiveness? Are we partially forgiven or totally forgiven? Did the cross work or do we need to add to it? In this episode, Zach and Grace walk through many verses that show how God forgives, why His work was enough, and why we're totally forgiven!
Are we saved by being baptized in water? In this episode, Zach and Grace discuss this question as well as proof texts some use to suggest that we are saved by water baptism. They also discussed how one is saved and what it means to be saved by Jesus alone.
Reading the Bible can feel daunting, frustrating, and weird. But God wants us to know that the Bible is accessible. In this episode, Zach and Grace talk about some tips and things to help you read the Bible and what to know as you approach reading Scripture.
This week Zach and Grace talk about navigating pain, suffering, and loss. Specifically, what Scripture says and what Jesus is doing in the midst of it all. They also discuss the recent loss of Grace's Aunt and Zach's Dad and the love Jesus has for us.
In this week's episode, Zach and Grace talk about the authority and trustworthiness of Scripture. Tackling questions like, hasn’t the Bible been changed or proven false? Isn’t the Bible filled with errors or contradictions? Is it really historically reliable, or is it outdated and irrelevant?
In this episode, Zach and Grace answer this controversial question. They take a deep dive into the passages that assure us of our salvation and the verses that seem to suggest one could lose their salvation.
In this episode, Zach and Grace discuss Roe v Wade and what the Bible says about this topic and how to understand what it means to be pro-life in light of a biblical worldview.
In this message from a few years ago, I talk about seeing Jesus in three of my favorite stories of Him in the gospels! I hope this encourages you!
The stories in the Old Testament are a shadow. They point to something beyond themselves. They point to Christ. In this message I gave a few years ago, journey with me as we look at some Old Testament stories that point to Christ.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I hope you enjoy this message I gave a few years ago as it reveals God's amazing grace!
Is there evidence for God's existence? And how is Jesus greater than religion and any other thing this world offers? In this message, Zach Maldonado shows us the evidence for God's existence and the good news of the gospel.
In this message on Matthew 11, Zach Maldonado shares the heart of Christ for us. Life is painful and hard and tiresome, but Jesus is not. He is gentle and humble with you. Trusting Jesus is easy and light, not difficult or burdensome.
A Father's Day message I gave to City Church New York titled, "Your Father Is Pleased." There are many lies we believe about God the Father. We think He's mad, distant, and the cause of our pain. But what if He's pleased, close, and our great comforter?
If God is good, then what about suffering? How do we navigate suffering and doubt and how does Jesus bring comfort to us?
How do we hear Christ in us? How do we discern truth from error? In this message delivered to On Mission Church, I share the truth about God, and how to hear from him!
The search is over, you're complete in Christ! So many of us are searching and seeking for something we already have in Jesus. In this message on Colossians 2:10-14, discover the good news of what you already have. | A message I did at ThreeLife Church in LaGrange, Georgia.
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guardand to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
We are starting a study through Philippians. In this episode, we look at the first two verses.
The Spirit is your comforter and counselor, not your condemner and convictor. He bears witness to all God says and has done!
Hebrews 10 reveals to us that we've been made holy, perfect, and forgiven - once and for all!
Ephesians 1:3 tells us that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. And then Paul explains what this means in verses 4-14. Don't miss all you have in Christ!
We need God's grace every day. There is no greater message we need to know than the cross and resurrection.
Some people question the validity of a miracle like the resurrection since it seems to contradict the laws of nature. But when science cannot explain something, such as the beginning of the universe, the existence of dinosaurs, or some historical event, it looks to the evidence. In the scientific world this is called “inference to the best explanation.” The miracle of the resurrection doesn’t violate the laws of nature because it was God who supernaturally acted. If God really is the Designer of this universe, then God can intervene when He chooses. Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, John Lennox, illustrates it this way:
To argue that the laws of nature make it impossible for us to believe in the existence of God and the likelihood of his intervention in the universe is plainly false. It would be like claiming that an understanding of the laws of the jet engine would make it impossible to believe that the designer of such an engine could, or would, intervene and remove the fan. Of course, he could intervene. Moreover, his intervention would not destroy those laws. The very same laws that explained why the engine worked with the fan in place would now explain why it does not work with the fan removed.
Often, people wonder how there can be so much evil if God exists. But those who reject God because of evil have to borrow the biblical concept of good and evil in order to know evil exists. Simply put, the existence of evil is proof since God is the standard of good. God can exist without evil, but evil cannot exist without God. Evil is like rust on metal. You can have metal without rust, but you cannot have rust unless there’s metal. Evil is only realized and seen in the context of good. That is why when something evil is done, we call it immoral, unjust, or dishonest.
So, evil doesn’t disprove the existence of God. It actually points to an objective good that exists in this world, because we all recognize objective evil (murder, rape, etc.). Therefore, there has to be objective good. And if there is objective good, then there’s a God.
Christianity is both inclusive and exclusive. Inclusive in the fact that anyone can join. Exclusive in the fact that there’s only one way to God, through Jesus, and you have to say yes.
Jesus experienced all the emotions we will ever feel. He can truly help us in our doubt.
Whenever you go on vacation or receive a gift, you don’t ask, “How do I apply this?” You simply give thanks and enjoy it. God wants us to enjoy Him while He enjoys us.
As I’ve taken this journey of discovering that Jesus is really this good, I’ve done more unlearning than learning. My hope and prayer for you is that as you continue trusting Jesus, you will begin to see everything in light of the cross and resurrection. That is our foundation.
The relationship we have with Christ is better than David’s, Adam’s, or any other Old Testament character’s.
Christ is my life. He’s not merely trying to make my life more comfortable. He is life to me in every moment, both in the comfortable and uncomfortable.
God is our life. It’s from Him that we live our life. Christ as our life shapes how we see and organize everything. We see it all through the lens of Christ as our life.
Jesus came to do for us what we could never do on our own. He came and fulfilled the perfect standards of the law. He did this to satisfy the requirements of the law so that He could bring in the New Covenant (see Romans 8:3–4). Galatians 4:4–5 tells us, “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (NIV ). Jesus was born under the law to fulfill it for us.
Christianity should feel like your chains have been broken and the weight is off, not bondage and slavery. Paul says in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (NIV ). The freedom Paul most talks about is our freedom from the law.
One last thing. I’ve been trying to wake up each morning and give thanks. It’s simple. But sometimes I don’t want to do it. But it’s helped me—a lot. Studies show that gratitude improves mental health, and people who practice it are often happier.50 Knowing that God is for me and that He forgives me, loves me, will never forsake me, and has given me everything I need for life and godliness, gives me a lot of reasons to be thankful.
No struggle diminishes God’s opinion of you or your status as a believer. We are saved by grace—not by whether or not we struggle—and we’re kept by grace, not by our perfect emotions or behavior.
You’re not less of a Christian or a person if you struggle with anxiety, depression, or any mental illness. If you’re struggling, please reach out to someone—your pastor, your best friend, whomever—and please seek help (your doctor or a mental health professional can help you determine the best steps). It’s okay to seek professional help. There’s been a stigma on this topic in Christian circles, and we need to know that it’s normal and okay to need help.
Jesus wants our attention more than He wants our activity. We’ve bought the lie that our focus needs to be on our sins. We’re constantly sold a “sin- management” message—that we need to manage our sins and straighten up. But the more we focus on our sins, the more we sin. The Bible invites us to focus on Jesus, not our sins (Hebrews 12:1–2), because the more we focus on Jesus, the less we sin.
Jesus offers us Himself—not “five steps to rest” or a “four-fold path to peace” or a list of instructions to achieve rest for our souls. What is striking about this invitation is that He’s actually inviting us to Himself to work.
I used to think the focus of the Christian life was serving God. But do you realize that Jesus came to serve and not be served (Matthew 20:28)? The beginning point of our relationship with Christ is receiving, not achieving. It’s about letting Christ do for us what we could never do on our own. Sure, we serve Him and do good works, but these are not the foundation of our faith. Jesus is.
The core message of the gospel is that Christ is in you. The first message God gave humanity, when sending down His Son, was “God is with you.” That’s Jesus’s name—Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” For Him to not be with you would mean He would cease to exist. Many of us have believed a partial gospel. We thought the gospel was just about being forgiven and going to heaven one day. But the rest of the gospel is that Christ has joined Himself to you, right here and now.
One of my new favorite verses comes from a story in Mark 9 about a father whose son was possessed by a demon. The father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief ” (v. 24). This is our journey too. There will be moments when you believe Jesus is in you, and there will be (many) moments you need Him to help you believe. It’s God’s full-time job to convince you that He is in you always. It’s His heart’s desire to help you.
Remember: It’s not about feeling the presence of God within you. It’s about knowing that no matter what you feel, God is fully present—all the time.
One lie about our identity is that we are what we do. This is why so many Christians are running around calling themselves “sinners.” We believe that we are defined by our sins. But according to Scripture, we did nothing to become sinners. That’s right, the apostle Paul says we’re all born in Adam and therefore all sinners (Romans 5:19)). In the same way, we do nothing for us to become righteous or to get in Christ. We were reborn that way. This is what it means to be born again.
You’re not alone in your hurt and pain. And you don’t need to be ashamed of the things that have brought you hurt or pain. Jesus’s goal is to heal us, not hurt us. We need to recognize that Jesus is for us and longs for us to start believing truth that will set us free. The promise of Scripture is that we can be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind” (Romans 12:2)
Sometimes, I’m not very good at communicating with God. Prayer can feel weird, pointless, and difficult. But prayer—or simply, talking with God—allows us to speak directly to our great Comforter. God loves to hear you! He wants to know your needs. The promise of Philippians 4:19 is, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (NIV ).
We often think it’s our job to get ourselves out of our pain and suffering. We think Jesus is on the other side of our sorrow and that with enough faith, effort, or obedience, we will “break through.” What if God is not on the other side of our mess, but inside our mess comforting us? We have made God into a self-help guru who will help only those who are strong and obedient and worthy of His attention. The Christian life isn’t about striving for God; it’s about trusting God. It’s not about pulling ourselves up; it’s about letting God comfort us and keep us standing.
Is grace a license to sin? Are there consequences when we sin? What is God doing when we sin?
In the last episode, we looked at how Jesus teaches us in temptation, but what does He do when we sin?
Jesus was tempted in all ways in order to help us in all our temptations (Hebrews 4:15). Just because you are tempted, doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.Temptation is not sin.The good news is that Jesus always gives us a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). As we look at how Jesus teaches us and how He gives us practical ways to deal with temptation, realize that these are not simple formulas that you can just plug into your life and bam, you start living sin-free.
Jesus’s teaching and lifestyle is summed up by one word—grace. He’s the full expression of both grace and truth ( John 1:14, 17). Some say we need to balance grace and truth. But grace is the truth that will set us free. So this is how He teaches us... Grace!
If you’re looking to make a difference or be a part of something bigger than yourself, it doesn’t mean you have to cross the ocean. It can happen in your house or dorm, with your literal next-door neighbor, or at work. We get the awesome opportunity each day to just love those around us with no agenda.
I was wrong about humility and my assumption of what God wanted. I now know that He designed us to receive from Him first before we can do anything to help others. Only when we put our mask on and get oxygen can we then help others put theirs on. Put another way, only when we let ourselves receive God’s love can we help others receive His love.
Contrary to popular teaching, you’re not designed for sin. That’s why when you sin, you feel regret. As a new creation, you discover you no longer want to sin. You’re designed for obedience and love because God has made you loving and obedient from your heart (Romans 5:5; 6:17). We have a new design.
I used to think that if I tried hard enough, I could get God’s attention, and that it was up to me to reach God and impress Him and get Him to save me. Just like Zacchaeus, we all want to do more and try harder in hopes that Jesus will see us and like us. But that’s not what saved Zacchaeus, and that isn’t what saves you and me. It was Jesus who saw Zacchaeus. Jesus who invited Zacchaeus. And Jesus who saved and changed Zacchaeus forever.
Grace doesn’t follow me, and I don’t follow her. We’re in relationship together. We’re married. She would never describe our relationship in this way. Nor would I. And I don’t think the best way to describe our relationship with Christ is as followers. We’re in relationship with Him. The Bible says we’re married to Him. The disciples followed Jesus, but we have Christ in us. We have something better than just following Jesus. We have a living, breathing relationship with Christ in us every moment of every day.
God is not up in heaven writing down everything you do wrong. God is living in your heart, reminding you of everything He did right for you and to you. God’s love means He’s forgiven you of all your sins—past, present, and future. This is one of the greatest ways He expresses His love. If you’re looking for God’s love, look to the cross. That is where He demonstrated His relentless love for you and me (Romans 5:8).
Many of us have a fear of trusting God’s love. Religion has taught us not to trust in God’s goodness. Religion is like my family dog. Sure, religion can die in our life, but many of us still have those thoughts and experiences that hurt us. Many of us still believe things about Jesus that cause us to doubt His love and goodness. If you think you have to earn God’s love, you’ll spend your entire life performing for Him and never enjoying Him.
If we want to know what God is like, we look to Jesus. Jesus is God, and God is best seen in and represented by Jesus. The New Testament writers were aware of every story in the Old Testament, and what we see throughout the New Testament are descriptions like these: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God is “the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). God is the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). God is good (Luke 18:19). God is kind to all (Luke 6:35; Galatians 5:22).
How we do we understand the violence in the Old Testament? In this episode, I discuss this and show you why God has not changed.
n the midst of our suffering, Jesus doesn’t give us a why, He gives us Himself. In Him, we have the hope that suffering and illness do not get the last word, He does. He promises resurrection and life forever. That is what has given me the most peace and comfort in the midst of my pain and suffering.
We have a twisted view of fearing God. Fear, according to the Bible, is about being in awe of Him, not about being scared of Him (Proverbs 14:26; 1 John 4:18). We think we’re in the hands of an angry God. But we’re not, no matter what that old preacher tells us. God is our heavenly Father. And He’s different from religion because He never gives us what we deserve. He gives us what we don’t deserve.
That is the difference between Christianity and other religions. Religion is about what you do for God. But Christianity is about what God has done for you. Religion is about proving your love and worth to God. But Christianity is all about how Jesus proved His love for you and revealed your worth by dying for you. In religion, you have to meet the requirements in order to be accepted and pleasing to God, but in Christianity, Jesus has met those requirements for us. Religion is all about rules. Jesus is all about relationship. That’s the main point.
I fail—a lot. My life is littered with failure. This is why I’m so thankful the goal of the Christian life is not to “live victoriously” but rather trust in the One who is victorious. In this episode, we look at what makes Jesus different than religion.
“Jesus is the Way” means He’s not only the way to be saved, but He’s also the guide into all fulfillment and satisfaction in our lives. He’s the way to meaning and purpose. This is found in understanding God’s will. God’s will for your life is simple and straightforward. It is not a secret step-by-step plan or a mystery that we have to figure out.
Is there such thing as absolute truth? In a world without God, morality would only be an opinion. It wouldn’t be grounded in anything but the shifting attitudes of humans, who are constantly changing. It makes more sense to ground our morality in Someone who is unchanging, just, and good. In this episode, we will look at truth and how evil actually points to good and God's existence.
To preorder JESUS IS BETTER, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
The Bible says that Jesus had to explain that He was the entire point of the Old Testament. Usually, we get so focused on the commands and sayings that we miss the point. We miss Jesus. I used to think reading the Bible was about pleasing God or doing my Christian duty. I now see that reading the Bible is about getting to know Jesus more. We’re not reading about some dead historical teacher. No, Jesus the Teacher, Healer, and Savior is living within us now. And by His Spirit, He teaches and reminds us of all that He has said and done.
You Can preorder Jesus Is Better today: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
I want to show you why the four writers who wrote the most about Jesus can be trusted, and then reveal what Jesus said about the rest of the Bible. Ultimately, my goal is to help you realize that we can trust what the Bible says.
You Can preorder Jesus Is Better today: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
Not only am I a Christian because of the overwhelming, circumstantial, and scientific evidence for Christ, but also because of my personal story and what God has done in my life. In this episode, we will talk about my miracle brother and my story.
Click to Pre-order Jesus Is Better: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
Of all the major world religions, only Christianity claims its founder was resurrected from the dead. Only Jesus, the founder, claimed to be God and then proved it through His resurrection. If you want to disprove Christianity, all you have to do is prove the resurrection didn’t happen. In this episode, we will look into the historical evidence for Christ and His resurrection!
Click to Pre-order Jesus Is Better: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
In the same way, when we look at the universe, with all of its fine-tuned properties that “happened” to perfectly align for the creation of life, it’s reasonable to assume that some Being (God) created the universe for the purpose of fostering life. Chance or designer. Those are really our only two options. In this episode, we will look into the evidence.
Click to Pre-order Jesus Is Better: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
A recent study done by the Barna Group revealed that “almost half [of Americans] (49%) are not fully confident that God truly exists.”4 I get it. I’ve always wrestled with God’s existence. Is Jesus a myth, fairy tale, or crutch for those who aren’t as smart or reasonable as others? And hasn’t science proven God doesn’t exist? In this episode, we will see why belief in God is the most reasonable and scientific thing to do!
You can preorder JESUS IS BETTER here: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
The version of Christianity that left me so worn out, tired, and broken is a version of Christianity that is still popular today. It’s a mix of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. But we are invited to something new, different, and better - the new covenant!
Order Jesus Is Better here: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200
I was sold a counterfeit message about Jesus. I was told one thing and then opened the box of religion and discovered it wasn’t what I thought it was. It always seemed that God was mad at me, never pleased, and needy. Many times, I talk to people who describe Him in this way, and I usually say I don’t believe in that god either. (Talking through chapter 2 of my new book!) You Can preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus+is+better&qid=1623190945&sr=8-1
The first chapter of my new book, Jesus Is Better. Here, I talk about my struggle with God and Christianity.
You Can preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Better-God-Likes-Enjoys/dp/0578886200/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus+is+better&qid=1623190945&sr=8-1
The new heaven and new earth. Seeing God face to face. The last chapter of our study of Revelation!
The new heaven and the new earth! In Chapter 21 of Revelation, we see descriptions of the new Jerusalem and what many OT prophecies looked forward to.
The millennium. The binding of satan. The great white throne. This and more in this study of Revelation 20!
Christ has come and done away with evil once and for all and now we (his bride) are awaiting our groom. The end of history has come and the new creation is upon us. This and more in Revelation 19!
In Chapter 17, we saw the fall the Babylon. And now in Chapter 18, John revisits, from a different angle, this fall and why God's judgment is good and fair. This and more in this verse by verse study of Revelation 18!
History has ended with the 7th bowl, but like john likes to do, he circles back to look at the end of history by considering the fate of Babylon in Chapter 17. Here I go verse by verse through Revelation 17!
What are the bowls of wrath? When will they happen? This and more in this study of Revelation 16!
In this verse by verse study of Revelation 15, we see the beginning of the bowl judgments. When will these happen and what is the confidence believers can have?
In Revelation 13, I go verse by verse and look at the theological and historical context. What is the mark of the beast? What does the number 666 mean? And is the beast the same as the antiChrist?
In Revelation 13, I go verse by verse and look at the theological and historical context. What is the mark of the beast? What does the number 666 mean? And is the beast the same as the antiChrist?
In this verse by verse study of Revelation 12, I reveal the historical and theological context of this chapter and the meaning for you and me today.
Evil will not will. God will reign forever. We will be rescued. God will do away with evil once and for all at his return. We win. We do not have to lose hope because Jesus will return and one day, we will be with our Lord and Savior, in person, forever and ever without sin or any evil hindering our experience of Him. The perfect world we long for will one day be realized.
What is the temple in Revelation 11? Why is John measuring it? Who are these two witnesses? These questions and more are answered in this verse by verse study of Revelation 11!
Just like between the 6th and 7th seal, there is an interlude between the 6th and 7th trumpet. Chapter 10 and the first 14 verses of chapter 11 serve as the interlude between the 6th and 7th trumpet.
To me, this imagery reveals the power of the enemy to deceive the world and what he will do to do that. But also the necessity of the truth of God’s word. There’s good news for believers, the enemy cannot touch us. We are secure. We are safe. Yet, we need to know there’s a battle, and for our unbelieving friends, we have the answer – Jesus Christ.
What are the seven trumpets? How do they relate to the seven seals and bowls? All this and more as I go verse by verse through Revelation 8.
Who are the 144,000? Who is able to stand against the wrath of God? This and more in this verse by verse study of Revelation 7, part 2.
Now we move to chapter 7 which is how God’s people are protected during what we just saw in chapter 6, the 6 seals. The section stands as a kind of parenthesis explaining how God will keep believers safe during the tribulations of the church age. As a result, the believers will not be harmed spiritually when they go through the trials unleashed by the four seals of 6:1-8.
The fifth and sixth seal are different. John sees believers who were slain because of their faith. Jesus predicted this as well. The language used here could represent all the church since all the church in some regard suffers for Christ. The opening of the 6th seal is the answer to the martyr’s prayers. John sees judgment poured out on the wicked.
Life is marked with sorrow, death, and grief. And these first 4 seals are parallel in nature and they can all lead to death. And when you look at the world, you see all of this. This is the worldwide suffering we see today.
Everyone in creation is in agreement – Jesus is worthy. He’s worthy of it all because He is God. He is the lamb who died for our sins and resurrected to give us new life and ascended and is on the throne.
God is above all evil and chaos in this world. In this look at Revelation 4, we see John seeing a new vision and how that helps us trust God.
This passage is not about struggling Christians. Instead, it’s about Jesus wanting these unbelieving Pharisees to come to repentance.
The letters to Sardis and Philadelphia have been used to create so much shame and fear into believers. But reading them in context is important. Remember, God will never use guilt and shame to teach us or correct us.
We are in the 2nd half of Revelation 2. God wants all to come to repentance. He has given his son for the world and loves everyone. He’s inviting everyone to receive forgiveness and life. But he will not force someone to believe. And there will be justice. Further, for the believer. We will be victorious and reign with Christ. We are overcomers. The work God began in us, he will finish. He will present us blameless before him.
This is the start of the 7 letters to the seven churches. Here, Jesus promises the believers a seat at His table, a blameless judgment, and an identity that is unshakeable.
At the end of Revelation 1, we get a description of Jesus. One who love us, is for us, has us in His hand, and tells us not to be afraid!
Revelation 1 tells us so much about the rest of the book. And, from the start, it points us to Jesus and what He has done for us: "to Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood..."
What does the New Testament teach about Christ's return? And how do we read and understand the book of Revelation?
If we are righteous and holy, then why do we still sin? It is important to realize that we do not sin because of our nature or self. We sin because we have a tempter, a force acting against us (sin), and old habits and thoughts (the flesh).
Every reference to sinner in the New Testament is always talking about unbelievers. The Church on the other hand are always called Saints. No New Testament writer ever calls a believer a sinner. However, the apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners. What did he mean?
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Do we need to wake up each day and put off our old self and then put on our new self? Are we two people? The truth is much better and more simpler than all that.
Many of us quote John 3:30 and assume that we need to get out of God's way or decrease. But is this biblical? Does God want "none of you"?
You are no longer in your sin, your shame, or the flesh. You are in the Spirit. This is your permanent location. No matter where you go, what you do - you're always in Christ.
Jesus came to do for us what we could never do on our own. He came and fulfilled the perfect standards of the law. He did this to satisfy the requirements of the law so that He could bring in the New Covenant (see Romans 8:3–4).
The goal of the cross and resurrection was freedom, not bondage. Christianity should feel like your chains have been broken and the weight is off, not bondage and slavery. Paul says in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”. The freedom Paul most talks about is our freedom from the law.
Why can’t there be many ways to God? If Jesus is so loving, then why not accept everyone? Why is Jesus the only way to be saved?
What was the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” that Paul was entrusted to preach (1 Timothy 1:11)? The word blessed in that verse can also be translated “happy.” Our God is happy. He wants none to perish. He so loves you and me, and it’s His relentless passion to convince us that we can trust Him in every moment.
God is not keeping a record of your wrongs (1 Cor. 13:5). He tore up the record at the cross (Col. 2:14), and He remembers your sins no more (Heb. 8:12). God Is Not An Accountant!!!
Jesus came to undo what Adam did. Adam and Eve sinned and hid behind a tree. They were naked and covered in shame, and do you know what Jesus did? He allowed Himself to be crucified, naked, on a tree so that He could conquer sin and shame for us.
We live from rest, not for rest. Jesus has finished His work. He has seated us with Him and wants us to live from His finished work, not for it. (Seeing Jesus in Genesis)
In the garden, God wanted us to reign. Then sin happened... Enter Jesus. He came to undo what Adam did. And now, we are reigning with Christ. So what does it mean to reign with Christ?
Jesus is “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). And we are recreated in Christ. We're His masterpiece and "like Jesus." This means we're remade in the image of Christ!
Since the tomb is empty, we don’t have to be. In Christ, you are complete and whole (Col. 2:10). You lack nothing (1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Peter 1:3). That Jesus died for your sins is only part of what He did; His resurrection to give you new life is the other part.
If we want to know what God is like... we look to Jesus. Christ is what God is like. And God's plan is to show us Jesus. God’s plan all along was "to show us his grace through Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:9).
You are not a burden to God. He is not irritated or frustrated with you. He loves to care for you and bear your burdens.
No matter what happens day to day, we can know that our source of joy and peace is found in Christ alone. It’s not about having more faith in order to make our circumstances better, nor is it about doing more in order to be more victorious. Instead, it’s simply about trusting Christ who is life to us in (even in the midst of bad circumstances.)
If God doesn’t exist, then our tears, pain, and suffering are for nothing. But since God does exist, our sorrow will not be wasted. He promises that there will come a day when He will wipe away our tears (Rev. 21:4). No longer will there be any death, or mourning, or crying, or pain.
Many of us fear that somehow, we can “backslide”. It’s a popular word in churches today, but it’s nowhere to be found in the New Testament. God’s friendship with us has no strings attached.
Do you sometimes feel like God has forgotten about you? Or that He isn’t concerned about what you’re going through? Me too. And the people who were with Jesus for three years sometimes felt the same way.
One of the first names God is given in the Bible is “El Roi” which means “the God who sees me.” He sees you. He knows everything about you, and He loves you.
God is not breaking you or hurting you or causing you pain in order to teach you a lesson. Nowhere in the New Testament does it say God is breaking us instead, it says he is building us up (Col. 2:7; Eph. 4:12; 2 Cor. 10:8).
The Spirit is not convicting us of what Jesus has taken away. He is not making us feel guilt or shame over our sins. Instead, He is reminding you of all Jesus did to take away your guilt and shame.
The good news of your identity is that you can never lose your value. You’re priceless. And there’s nothing you can do to change the value God has given you! (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Let's stop trying to love God more and instead trust in His love more. We love others and God from His lavish love of us. We love others as an overflow of God's love for us.
You are perfect. No, you don't act perfectly or think perfectly. But God says you're perfect: For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14) Discover how this can be true.
You don't owe God. God is not asking you to live your life trying to repay the grace He has lavished on you. He is asking you to live your life enjoying the grace He has lavished on you!
Our identity as righteous children is received, not achieved.
"...Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17
It seems that every other month a well-known figure steps away from Christianity. And every single person I’ve heard or read about does so for something that really isn’t essential to Christianity. The most essential thing about Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. And belief in the resurrection of Christ is the most rational thing to believe in once we see the evidence around it. I’ve yet to see someone leave Christianity because they could disprove the resurrection.
The resurrection of Christ is also your resurrection. His resurrection made you right, saved you, caused you to be born again, and so much more. In this episode, discover what the resurrection means for you!
God’s silence doesn’t mean His absence. Just because you cannot see or feel God doesn’t mean He isn’t present. He promises to never forsake us.
The Cross Worked, period. The work on the cross dealt with our sins once and for all. There's nothing more we need to do to get forgiven or cleansed by God because the cross was enough!
It’s April fools, and were looking at the week leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. There’s no trick here. Jesus came to do away with any loopholes or tricks or hoops. All that He has done for you and to you is real. He promises total forgiveness, new life, His presence, and His care forever, no matter what.
Judas betrayed Jesus on this day, or at least the plan was in motion. Jesus will never betray you. Never forsake you. Never leave you. That's the promise of the cross.
Jesus, on Tuesday of His passion week rebuked the Pharisees. He did this because he hates religion. Religion is all about you and your sacrifice, obedience, submission, commitment, and work for God. It only produces bondage. Jesus came to end religion.
On the Monday of the week Jesus was going to be crucified, He entered the temple and cleansed it. Why did he do this? In this episode, I talk about the significance of this event and what it means for us today.
I’ve never been in a vineyard and heard the branches struggling or striving, have you? Jesus is the vine and we are the branches (John 15). We don’t produce the fruit, we just bear it. It’s the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of our striving (Gal. 5). Take a breath. The pressure if off of you. Our growth is from God alone (Col. 2:19; 1 Cor. 3:7).
Psalm 18:19 says, “He rescued me, because He delighted in me" and Zephaniah 3:17 says, "He takes great delight in you." God delights in you!
Galatians 5 reveals to us that we desire what the Spirit of God desires. Paul shows us what it means to walk by the Spirit. It's not as difficult as you might think!
Galatians 3 tells us that Jesus was cursed in order to redeem us from the curse. We are not under any "generational curse". We are not cursed. We have the promise and blessing of God's Spirit in us.
When you sin, you don’t have to go back to God and “get right”. You’ve been made right once and for all. There’s nothing you can do to undo what Christ has done for you! (Romans 5:1)
God teaches us and guides us without punishing us for our sins. Unlike the world, we are always under God’s discipline. God’s discipline is His constant teaching, guidance, and instruction for us. God’s Discipline is Not Punishment.
We don't live godly in order to get accepted or blessed or loved by God. We live godly because we are godly. We live godly because that's what we now want. God's love and grace inspires, motivates, teaches, and compels us to love and live out of who we are.
We’re not sinful by nature. Our new spirit is not a sinful one. Instead, scripture says we are “partakers of the divine nature” (1 Pet. 1:4). We’re not sinful, we’re saints. Our old self is dead, buried, and gone. We are new!
We are seated with Christ. This is how we start the christian life. And from that, we learn to walk out of all that God has already done. And then when life comes at us, we are taught to stand in the truth of who God is and who He has made us. (Eph. 2:6; 5:2; 6:11)
Paul prays in Ephesians that we would know how much God loves us. That we would be rooted and established in His love. This and so much more in this powerful prayer!
Freedom, near, confidence, accessibility - this is how Ephesians describes our relationship with God. We are close to Him, forever. We can have freedom and confidence with Him. And we have access to Him all the time!
You are God's prized possession. He loves you as much as He loves Jesus. He takes great delight in you. In Ephesians 1, Paul prays that we would understand this.
You are God's favorite! He loves and likes everything about who you are. Ephesians 1:6 says you are "favored in the beloved." What does it mean to be favored by God?
We live, obey, and serve FROM God’s blessing, not for Him to bless us. We are already blessed with all we need (Eph. 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3).
Saints. Faithful. In Christ. This is our identity as children of God. This isn’t something you become through effort or obedience. This is who you already are at salvation.
When you do a search for sinner in the New Testament, it never refers to believers. A believer is never called a sinner in the New Testament. When you do a search for the word saint in the New Testament, you see the word used more than sixty times, and it’s always referring to those who believe in Christ. You are no longer just a sinner. You are a saint!
The abundant life isn't a perfect set of circumstances. The abundant life is not perfect health or perfect wealth. The abundant life is Jesus. And if you're in Him, then you have abundant life in every moment!
The story of Joseph in the Old Testament has many parallels to Jesus. Joseph's story pointed to the person of Grace, Jesus. Here's how Joseph's story points to Christ and what He did for us!
God has delivered us. We’re free from sin, free from the sting of death; and free from the law. We’re now slaves of righteousness, partakers of eternal life, and married to Christ. Here's how the story of the Exodus points to the gospel!
Boaz married Ruth—not because of what she offered him or could do for him, but because of his love for her. In the same way, God our Redeemer did not save us and unite Himself to us because of what we could do for Him. God simply wants relationship with us. That’s it. There’s no catch.
You start and end each day with these promises from God: He will never condemn you and nothing can separate you from His unfailing love.
God is not keeping a record of our wrongs in order to get us back on judgment day. No, He destroyed the record once and for all. Since God has forgiven us of all our sins, we can be confident on the day of Judgment (1 John 4:17)
Jesus became our sin so that we could become His righteousness and never lose fellowship with God. Christians cannot lose fellowship with God because our sins have been taken away, our punishment for our sins have been poured out on Jesus, and God promises to never leave us. Even “when we are faithless, he remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13).
The good news is that you and I—we—are pure. We’re clean. We’re perfect. Sure, it doesn’t feel that way. But the truth is the truth, no matter what you and I feel. (see Hebrews 10:14)
What is our worth? God says we’re worth Jesus to Him. He didn’t need us, but He wanted us—so much so that He sent His Son to rescue us and then infuse us with His own life. We're as valuable to God as Jesus is.
What About the Violence in the Old Testament? God hasn’t changed. It’s in the Old Testament that we discover that God has engraved us on His hands (Isaiah 49:15-16). Zephaniah 3:17 shows us that God takes great delight in us and Jeremiah 31:20 reveals that God’s heart yearns for us. The overwhelming message throughout the Old Testament is that God is love.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the middle of the fire and were not touched because they had another with them. The theme of this story and Scripture is that God is with you. And through the new covenant, Christ is in you in every circumstance and fire you face.
God has given you a new heart that longs to love (Romans 5:5). God’s desires are in your heart (Heb. 8). This means you want the same things God wants (Rom. 6:17; Eph. 6:6).
Believers cannot get the mark of the beast. The Mark of the beast in Revelation is in contrast to the seal and mark believers have and are given by God. It’s a symbol for those who reject Christ. If you’re in Christ you are sealed by the Spirit; the evil one cannot touch you; and you are a people of God’s own possession (Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 5:18; 1 Peter 2:9)!
Contrary to what the atheist on YouTube or Facebook says, the Bible hasn’t changed or been proven false. Nor do any variants found affect a core christian belief. Instead, history and archaeology and the thousands of copies reveal that we can trust what we read in the Bible.
There's no such thing as a lukewarm Christian. The true context of Revelation 3 reveals that Jesus is addressing people who aren't saved. Here's the real meaning behind what it means to be "lukewarm".
The church has believed the lie that we are the problem, that we’re dirty, bad, sinful people who are just “saved by grace.” We’ve believed this cheap message that Christianity is only about what happens when we die. But what if the message of Jesus changes everything about how we live and see ourselves every day?
Where is our hope? Philippians 3:20 says we are citizens of heaven. In light of recent political events, it's important to remember where we are headed and where our hope and home is.
God's grace works without requiring anything on our part. God does the work and we rest in it. In this episode, we see God's a picture of God's grace and the new covenant in the story of Abraham.
God didn’t save you to make you His servant. God saved you to celebrate you. He saved you to lavish you with His grace. The story of the prodigal son shows us the love God has for us.
Jesus welcomes our doubts. He welcomes our struggles. The four Gospels are all about 12 men who constantly doubted Jesus and believed the wrong thing about Him. And Jesus never shamed them or condemned them. In this episode, I look at God's care for us in the midst of our doubt.
In John 17 we discover the prayer Jesus prayed for us. And through the resurrection, His prayer was answered. And in Romans 8, Paul tells us that the Spirit prays for us when we have no words.
God wants our attention on Christ, not our sin. He wants us to remember our cleansing and forgiveness. This is the only way to live (Hebrews 9:14; 10:1-4).
Why did God save us and put us in Christ? One reason is “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7
Many of us believe the lie that "we must be approved and liked by others in order to feel good about ourself." So how do we stop living for the approval of others? It's by understanding what God thinks of us.
The trap of religion is that you must perform in order to feel good about yourself and make God happy. But the Gospel says, "You don’t owe God." God is not asking you to live your life trying to repay the grace He has lavished on you. He is asking you to live your life enjoying the grace He has lavished on you!
"I feel unworthy. I feel like I've messed up too much." Guilt convinces us that we are bad. And that we've done too much for God to love us or forgive us. When we come to understand God's grace, we can let go of the guilt that trips us up.
Do you feel hopeless? Have you messed up and feel ashamed? Jesus came to remove the shame that causes us to hide and question God’s goodness. And He has promised that He will always be in us and we will always be in Him, no matter the mess we find ourselves in. He's not ashamed to be our brother or our God (Hebrews 2:11; 11:16).
Acts 17:28 says, "For in him we live and move and have our being." Our relationship with Christ is more intimate than anything. We don't merely follow Christ. We're in Christ. We're one spirit with Him. We're not followers, we're friends.
You’re free to fail. You’re free to mess up. You don’t have to get it right in order for God to accept you or love you. That’s what’s so radical about the gospel: it’s not about you! You don’t have to perform perfectly in order to be loved, accepted, or pleasing to God. The pressure’s off. (Romans 11:29)
You can’t defeat your struggle with sin. And God doesn’t want you too. Jesus doesn’t tell us to defeat sin; He invites us to rest in the victory over sin that He’s already accomplished (1 Cor. 15:57). So how do we move forward when we get tempted? And how do we deal with our constant struggles?
Your suffering and pain is not because of your lack of faith. As children of God, we each have been given faith as a gift (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 12:3). We don’t need more faith. How do we trust God in difficult times?
Jesus offers us Himself. Not “5 steps to rest” or a “four-fold path to peace” or a list to obey in order to achieve rest for our souls. Jesus wants to give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
All the work that needed to be done to make you forgiven, accepted, and right with God has already been done by Jesus (Hebrews 1:3; 10:12).
Believers in Christ have a “better hope” (7:19), a “better covenant” (7:22; 8:6), “better sacrifices” (9:23), a “better possession” (10:34), a “better resurrection” (11:35), and “better” blood than Abel’s (12:24). And all of this is because Jesus is truly better!
Do you often feel unnoticed or unappreciated? Do you feel like God has forgotten you? Scripture says, God has engraved you on his hand (Isaiah 49:15-16).
You don’t have to behave perfectly to be used by God. That’s the good news of Abraham’s story. Your current sin or past mistakes don’t disqualify you from being loved or used by God. (2 Corinthians 3:6)
The story of Hosea and Gomer shows us that God loves us because it’s who God is. He cannot cease loving you, or He would stop being God. His love for you isn’t based on your qualifications, status, or what you have to offer. His love for you is without condition. If you think you have to earn God’s love, you’ll spend your entire life performing for Him and never enjoying Him.
Salvation is a gift from God based on His work for us. Our salvation is not about us, our promise, or our faithfulness. Our salvation is based on God’s promise, work, and faithfulness to us. (see Romans 8:38-39; John 10:28; Hebrews 13:5; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:13; Jude 24)
A recent study done by the Barna Group revealed that “almost half [of Americans] (49%) are not fully confident that God truly exists. But science actually provides evidence for the existence of God.
To say that your sin is "too big" for God is to say that the cross is "too little" for your sin. The cross is greater than any sin you will ever commit. You cannot out-sin the grace of God (Rom. 5:20). The cross is enough for you, in every single moment. It worked.
Unlike religion, with God, we don’t have to fear what He will do when we fail. We don’t fall away or lose His favor. Nor do we have to fear Him punishing us. Because of the cross and resurrection, He is always for us (1 John 4:17-18).
Intense agony. Overwhelmed with sorrow to the point He felt like dying. His sweat became like drops of blood. This rare condition known as hematohidrosisoccurs because of intense anxiety and agony. This is what Jesus experienced the night before He would go the cross for you. He understands all the pain you will ever face.
Jesus doesn’t love you so that you can do things for Him. He loves you because He is captivated by you. It’s His passion and joy to love you. It’s all He wants to do. His heart beats for you. There’s never a moment when God won’t love you.
The grace of God always leads to godliness, not sin (Titus 2:11-12). Understanding the grace of God leads to freedom from sin. It never leads to sinning more.
Romans 6 says we desire righteousness, not sin. It says we are dead to sin and obedient from the heart. This means we no longer want to sin. God has given us new hearts that desire Him, not sin.
We need to stop trying to feel God’s presence. We need to stop trying to impress Him. We need to stop trying to do anything to make Him love us more. Instead, lets’ start trusting that we have His presence, we have His love, and we have His pleasure.
God doesn’t make mistakes; He makes masterpieces. You’re not a mistake. God didn’t mess up when He created you. He likes everything about you.
It was God's work that made us close to Him, not ours. We are not trying to earn or achieve closeness to God. Instead, God is constantly convincing us that He is in us and that He will never forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 3:3)
Many of us have been sitting in the prison cell of sin, not realizing the door has been ripped off. Walk out. You’re free!
The only One who could condemn us became sin for us, so that He could comfort us. Jesus will never condemn us, because He took all the condemnation for our sin. Jesus isn’t about punishing us for our sin, but setting us free from our sin.
God is not up in heaven writing down everything you do wrong. No, Love keeps no record of wrongs. God is living in your heart, reminding you of everything He did right for you and to you. (Colossians 2:13-14)
You don’t have to prove yourself to God. You’re accepted, pleasing, and made right by faith; there’s nothing to prove. This means God likes you for you, not what you can do for Him or what you bring to the table. (Romans 15:7)
Your name is not buried in some heavenly file. God needs no name tag to remember you. Your name is engraved on His hand. You're always on His mind. It's His passion and heart's desire to care and comfort you. (2 Corinthians 1:3)
You're a friend of God. He likes everything about you. You don't have to be afraid of Him. He wants you to trust Him and His care for you. (John 15:15)
Christ is united to us. We are the bride of Christ. Do you realize what Christ thinks of you?
In those moments when you feel most ashamed, God is shouting from your heart, "I am not ashamed to call you my child!" God isn't disappointed with you. He is not shaking His head at you. He loves you. And He is always good to you!
You’re not less of a Christian if you struggle with anxiety, depression, or sin. Because of Jesus - you’re enough. God’s love and affection for you is exactly the same in your darkest moments.
God has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:2) and has inspired the Scriptures to teach us (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus promised that we would hear His voice (John 10:27). But His voice will never contradict what Scripture has clearly revealed to us. What God says will always set us free, bring us rest, and point us to Jesus.
God’s will is not a secret step-by-step plan. It’s not a mystery we have to figure out. God’s will is actually straightforward and simple. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19)
The Christian life isn’t about us trying to keep an angry God pleased; it’s about us trusting in a loving God who’s already pleased. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
God always listens to you. His eyes are always on you. He's cleared out His entire schedule just to be with you. You have His full attention! (1 Peter 3:12)
In Christ, you are complete. You have everything you need for life and godliness. (Colossians 2:10; 2 Peter 1:3)
We’re not called to beat ourselves up over our sin. We can choose to agree with God that He has taken away and forgotten our sins forever. God will never condemn you (Romans 8:1)
Life is painful and hard and tiresome, but Jesus is not. He is gentle and humble with you. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Research has shown that between 85-90% of the things we worry about don’t come true. And even if it does, God's got you. He cares for you.
The goal for you this year isn’t to strive for God’s love and acceptance. The goal this year is for you to know Jesus and His unconditional delight in you.
Our relationship with God is not based on us and what we do for Him, but on Jesus and what He’s done for us (Rom. 5:1).
Our identity comes from our position in Christ, not our performance in this world. It's received, not achieved. We're new, righteous, holy, and beloved saints because of what Christ has done, not what we do.
The confusing message of religion has created bondage, fear, and confusion. Many of you are looking for freedom, rest, and fulfillment. I want to guide you through scripture each day and show you God’s heart for you so that you can know and enjoy Him. The first devotional will start on January 1.