Why doesn't truth always feel graceful? When Christ was incarnated, truth and grace fully came in a Person. The world prefers an "either-or" Jesus, but not only is this not possible, it is far better for us to have One who is both gracious truth and truthful grace (John 1:14, 8:1-12).
What changed in the shepherds once they saw the angelic host announcing Christ? When the gospel comes to a person, not only are they inspired, but they seek to tell others (Luke 2:1-20).
How did Mary understand the meaning of the name Immanuel? (Matt. 1:23, Luke 1:26-38) The coming of Christ means God is not only the Most High, but now also the Most Nigh.
Did Joseph and Mary at First Feel that God Ruined Their Plans? God often appears at what seems like the most inconvenient moment, but His timing is perfect and His purpose glorious (Matt. 1:18-25, 2:1-23).
God took over from Samuel's parents, and directly trained him in the prophetic office (1 Sam. 3:11-21).
Samuel received a visionary word and the call of God, facilitated through the limited coaching of Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-11).
Hannah continued to enable Samuel's service to the Lord (1 Sam. 2:11, 18-19), however, Eli failed to restrain his sons' failures (1 Sam. 2:22-36).
God began the recovery of His kingdom in Israel, by gaining Samuel through his parents' consecration (1 Sam. 1:10-11, 20, 22, 23-28).
Real discipleship comes from prioritizing Christ as #1 in our life, and as parents, we are called to model a Christ-first life for our children (1 Samuel 1-2).
Self-focused approach to money bankrupts your spiritual life. (Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 17:28-33)
Self refuses to lose an argument or to sacrifice an opinion, but the cross brings true peace into the body (Phil. 4:2-3; Matt. 16:24-25).
Living for your “Self” destroys marital affections as it centers on what is most convenient for “me” over being committed to the health of “we”. A marriage grows in health as husband and wife deny the self through the power of the cross as they follow Christ Jesus (Matthew 16:24-27; Phil. 2:3-11).
If we want to go the whole way into discipleship with Jesus, we must meet the self with the cross (Mt. 16:24-17:3).
The way out of this Christ rejecting generation is faith in Christ, shown visibly through water (John 19:18-20, Acts 2:36-41).
God used water judgement in the flood of Noah (1 Pet. 3:20-21), which corresponds to baptism today.
The Bible seeks to clarify not only that there is one God, but there is one way, truth, life, name, and mediator (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5-6).
What happens after death depends upon what happens before death--namely, coming to Christ in faith (Lk. 16:19-31, John 5:24).
A tale of two men (Romans 5:12-18): Through the disobedience of one man: sin entered the world and spread to all men. Through the obedience of one man the Devil's works are destroyed and the many are made righteous.
We are commanded to "Go!" to open doors with the word of Christ as those with beautiful feet (Matt 28:16-20, Rom 10:13-17).
In the midst of all our seeking, Jesus is actively seeking to bring salvation to anyone who will receive him (Luke 19:1-10).