Let me tell you about Trixie.

She was the cutest puppy in the world.

We adopted her as a birthday present for our youngest daughter McKenzie.

And the look on her face when she first saw Trixie was priceless.

But something happened. In spite of our best efforts to train her, she started biting and attacking us.

We tried everything, but nothing worked. When she bloodied Mckenzie's grandmother, we knew we couldn't keep her.

Our cute, cuddly puppy, became a nightmare.

It's the same with sin. It looks good, warm and inviting. But keep playing with it and sin will tear you apart.

So don't be deceived by the temptations of the world no matter how good they look. They will never give you what you already have in Jesus Christ.

Life doesn't always work out the way we want it to. And when it doesn't, we start to feel sorry for ourselves.

Disappointment, fear and even anger start to bubble up inside of us.

And If left unchecked, these can afflict us with the "woe is me" syndrome, and soon the pity party begins.

And that's a dangerous place to be.

Self pity makes all those temptations of the world start looking really good.

And that's a recipe for disaster. But you don't have to let self-pity take you there.

Even when life isn't working out the way you want it to, you have everything you really need in Jesus, the one who loves you and gave himself for you.

Turn your eyes to him and let his joy flood you heart.

Do you know how the Apostle John described himself in his Gospel account?

It was never by name only as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

What if you could describe yourself in the same way as the person whom Jesus loves.

How would that change your life?

How would that change your relationship with God and with everyone else you know?

Well let me tell you it changes everything.

Here is the good news. God does love you.

John put it this way: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

So no matter what life may throw at you today, this one truth about you never changes.

You are a person whom Jesus loves.

Let's face it. Life can be tough. From work to home and everything in between, new worries fly at us every day from every direction.

Couple these concerns with your personal fears and insecurities and you have the perfect recipe for anxiety.

But God knows all about this and that is why he has given you a powerful weapon to ward off anxiety

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

If life has made you anxious, be encouraged. The God of the universe cares about you so go to Him in prayer! And let the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

What do you ask God for when you pray?

Paul was very specific with his requests.

For example, in Ephesians, he prayed

that we may know Jesus better

that we may know the hope to which he has called us

that we may know his incomparably great power for us who believe

that Christ may be at home in our hearts

that we understand and experience the height and depth and length and breadth of the love of God

that we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Let me ask. What would happen if you started to pray to know Jesus better, or to know the hope that you have in Christ, or to gain a deeper understanding of the love of God? Try it, your life will never be the same.

Grace is the fuel that moves us, that transforms us, that shapes all that we are and all that we do as believers.

It even shapes the way we pray. Take Paul for example.

His prayers were soaked with thankfulness. It interesting that at the heart of the Greek word meaning thankful is the Greek word charis, which means grace.

Paul's thankful attitude was formed and shaped by the grace of God.

Think about all that the grace of God has brought to your life eternal life, forgiveness of sins, a new identity and the Spirit of God living in you.

And all of this is true of you regardless of your circumstances. It's no wonder that Paul encouraged us to give thanks in all things.

So, when you pray, let it flow from a heart of thankfulness.

Have you ever wondered if you could lose your salvation?

Many people do.

If so, let me tell you that there are many verses in the Bible that make the case for eternal security.

The strongest come from the mouth of Jesus, like this passage in John.

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all; no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

These are red-letter words. Read them carefully and I think they will settle any question you have about assurance of salvation.

You are in Jesus's hand and you are in the Father's hand and no one can snatch you out.

Now that's assurance of salvation.

Jesus hung out with sinners. He ate in their homes and welcomed them as followers.

Now this confounded the religious leaders.

They couldn't figure out why he spent time with the dregs of society.

But they didn't understand his mission.

As Paul learned and later wrote, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Now that's what you and I were, and that's why Jesus found his way into our lives.

He came to save us from our sins and to give us a brand new identity in Jesus Christ.

Yes, you were a sinner saved by grace.

But now you are a child of the King.

Picture this the day Jesus saved you, He looked at His father and said, "Mission accomplished".

Now that's good news.

What does it mean to be a New Covenant believer? It means you can go boldly to the throne of grace, and receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.

This invitation was never extended under the Mosaic Covenant. The throne room was off-limits. Until

Jesus shed his blood to take away sin once and for all. He swung the door wide open. And now you can walk boldly into God's presence.

Even when you are in the midst of sin, or are overwhelmed with fear guilt and shame.

The invitation stands. The Throne of Grace is open.

So go in with confidence.

Grace and mercy are waiting.

"May Day, May Day I'm sinking "

This was the opening line of an e-mail I received recently. It got my attention.

The gentleman went on to say, "I am what some have said to be a doubting Thomas. Faith is hard for me. I've asked Christ to come into my life many times but have never experienced the power of the Spirit I'm just tired of the struggle.

I've been there. I've experienced doubts. This may be you right now.

If so let me tell you there is only one person who can erase those doubts. His name is Jesus. So, stop trying to erase them yourself. You can't. and turn your eyes to the author and finisher of your faith. You'll find rest and assurance in Him.