And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT) I’ve been exploring the expansion of the church after the New Testament. All the church had to work with were oral accounts of Jesus’ teaching, the Jewish scriptures, Paul’s letters, and the Holy…

God has saved us. 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) We’ve heard it a thousand or more times. God saved us. Or maybe the phrase we’ve heard over and over is ‘God loves us’ and it just seems like the same idea. Let’s consider the meaning of these three small words ‘God saved us’. This statement separates…

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (ESV) They warned me. They said it would happen. They said I would get so deep in studying the Bible that I would lose my connection with God. They…

If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. John 14:7 (NLT) My summer was crazy exciting, but I strayed from blogging. The fall routine has arrived and I’m bursting with inspirational thoughts! I don’t know where to begin so I’ll start with Jesus. I love Jesus and I came to…

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King…

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” Genesis 1:26 (NLT) What does it mean to be more human? I’ve recently been immersed in Crossfit (see Facebook Cathy Alger Chung for details). It’s a wonderfully friendly and supportive community ranging from elite athletes to people trying to live…

Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. Luke 12:5 (NLT) Aren’t these some of Jesus’ most encouraging words? I grew up hearing about hell as a very real, scary, painful, forever place and I did not want to be there. So…

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV) Is Jesus the only way to heaven? Jesus says yes. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” This one statement prevents many from believing. How could a loving God exclude good…

For you granted [your Son] authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. John 17:1,4,19(NIV) Jesus had authority…

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself…