Jesus didn't die for our sins so we could continue to live captive to them -- He died to set us free, once and for all. We have the opportunity to walk out of the prison of sin and live in the liberty that He's given us. And when we're truly experiencing the freedom that He offers us, we're able to help other people experience that freedom, too.

God commissioned us to make disciples -- and that includes within our own families. We may have had a godly example in our own parents, or we may be setting a brand-new example for the next generation. The beautiful thing about God's Church is there are plenty of Christ-followers who are ready and willing to pour into other believers, and to model what it means to form a legacy that reaches far beyond themselves.

There's an entire book of the Bible -- the book of Proverbs -- that's devoted to gaining wisdom. That's how important godly wisdom is! The Lord's waiting for us to ask Him for wisdom in our daily decisions, from the big ones all the way down to the seemingly small ones. Sometimes it comes from Him in prayer, and sometimes it comes in the form of life choices, both good and bad.

When Jesus died on the cross, He made it possible for us to be free. It might sound like a contradiction, but His sacrifice gave us the freedom to choose God as our Master. We can either be slaves to sin or slaves to God; which choice will you make?

God's patience for us is limitless: He extends undeserved, unmerited grace and love no matter how many times we mess up. We can take advantage of His kindness and mercy and continue to live in our own flesh, or we can let Him live in us and watch the fruit of His Spirit begin to grow from within.

Scripture helps light our feet every step of the way, and in doing do, it helps us avoid some of the pitfalls of sin. When we learn what the Bible says about our areas of weakness and temptation, we can use that knowledge to keep us from stepping off the path God intends for us. And as we use that light to illuminate our way, it also shines through us to attract other people to Him.

Scripture tells us of the covenant God made with the people of Israel. That covenant was then expanded and shared with the Gentiles through the saving power of Jesus Christ. That means for all of us who believe, we have been given the right to become children of the living God, Who promises to take care of us. The question is: do you believe that God will keep His promises to you?

The world's way is to base how we love others on how they first loved us. God's way is for us to love others based on how He first loved us. When we have a healthy relationship with the Lord, we understand the depths of His unconditional love, and we can't help but extend the same selflessness to the people around us.

Jesus didn't say that we might have troubles in this life; He guaranteed that we will. Hard times will come, but God designed His Church to be a body of believers who can comfort one another during those times. He wants to use us, not just to help each other, but so that His peace can be made known to the world in the midst of difficult seasons.

 

God used a handful of people to establish His Church and, in doing so, to reach the entire world. More than 2000 years later, the impact that those obedient disciples of Jesus made on generations of Christians who followed has set a path for us to continue the work of the Gospel. May we strive to emulate their commitment and submission to bring all people to the saving knowledge of Christ!