Joel McCarty | The truly wise man is the one who fully depends on God in meekness, humility, and patience, not simply the one who gains more and more knowledge. The foolish man is led by his passions and wrong desires that lead to wrong and selfish actions. God loves us too much to allow us to hold back some of our hearts to give to the world instead of Him. But for those that seek Him, there is much grace to be found. The man who God opposes, the proud man, is the man who thinks he does not need God anyways.

Joel McCarty | True and pure religion is this: to engage and love the afflicted and broken around us while remaining unaffected by the false idols of this age. We are challenged by James to look at our actions and spend some time in evaluation of our hearts, checking to see if we have truly been transformed by the gospel. The actions we are called to in this letter cannot be done apart from a truly changed heart, but when we grasp the power of the gospel, we are unable to remain the same. Though hard, we are encouraged to receive with humility the implanted true and living Word, Jesus Christ, who alone is able to transform us into His image.

Joel McCarty | In the second week of our three week series, Creation Restored, we read in Genesis 2 of the first marriage, instituted to foreshadow the eternal restored marriage that is to come, spoken of in Revelation 21. In these texts, we see the original purpose of marriage, how we have traded true marriage for cheap parodies, how God has pursued union with his people in spite of their rebellion, and how this eternal union has power for us today.

Joel McCarty | As the Genesis narrative comes to a close, we see God’s promise coming to fruition in the descendants of Israel. The beginning of a great nation emerges through these blessings, creating the hope and anticipation for a greater King and Kingdom. At the apex of human history is the ultimate fulfillment of these promises—the hope to which this book of beginnings has pointed us all along.

Joel McCarty | While the Joseph narrative dominates the final chapters of Genesis, we also find the thread of God’s promise in the line of Judah. Through the terrible circumstances and actions in this chapter we see evidence of God’s sovereign hand in the keeping of his promise and the transformation of his people. In His grace, God lifts up Tamar the oppressed and humbles Judah the oppressor.

Joel McCarty | Through the dysfunctional family of Jacob, God shows that He works to bring about His promises through the awkward mess that is humanity. This ancient story reminds us of our everyday lives, but through the brokenness, God calls out His people and provides us with everything they need to walk in His promises.

Joel McCarty | In Genesis 25, we see the life of Abraham come to a close and the story of God's promises continue to a new generation. From beginning to end, God works through His people by His grace alone for His glory alone.