On our own, we're all slaves to sin -- but Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom so we could be spared from the death sentence that awaits us. For us to be freed, we first need to confess our guilt. Only once we admit that we're dirty with sin can He make us clean.

We tend to think of ourselves as owners -- of our time, our finances, our talents, and more. We forget that we're merely just stewards of everything that God's blessed us with. Imagine how much more the Church could do if we'd each stop trying to own what was never ours to begin with, and instead we gave all that God calls us to give.

In several places throughout Scripture, we read that God despises whining and complaining. Regardless of our circumstances, our trials, and our suffering, we're instructed to respond purposely with thanksgiving and praise. It's impossible to worship God and complain about our circumstances at the same time.

1 Corinthians 1:18 tells us, "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." When we read the Gospel message -- that Jesus came to earth, lived, died for us, and rose again from the grave -- it sounds foolish. But to those of us who hear that message and believe, it becomes our very breath of life.

Society tells us that if there's a God, there are many ways to get to Him, and Jesus is just one of those ways. But the Bible is the Word of God, and the Bible tells us that Jesus is the only path to the Father. If we want to be in relationship with God, we first have to come to terms with the fact that the Bible isn't just some religious book -- it's Living Truth.

Today's culture lures us into a life of comfort and sitting on the sidelines instead of fighting for the purpose to which God's called us. When we take a stand for Christ, the world may hate us, but the cost is worth it for Him.

We can't truly be free from our wickedness and sinful nature unless we trade it in for God's righteousness. The choices we make will eventually overtake us in their consequences, but God will provide a life of righteousness under His protection if we choose to depart from our wicked ways. It's up to each of us whether we remain trapped in our sin or trust the Lord instead.

The Body of Christ is made up of believers who will never again be alone once they join that Body. We always have Jesus with us, but it's important to get plugged in with other believers around us. And with that comes a responsibility to remember that the things we do and the decisions we make affect more than just us -- they affect the rest of the Body, too.

Sometimes, God turns up the heat in our lives for the purpose of making us more like Himself. When we're living in obedience to the Lord and affliction comes our way, we can be certain that He's using those circumstances to refine us and purify our hearts. No matter the struggles we face, our hope and our purpose are found in Him alone.

Sometimes the trials we face are ordained by God for the purpose of building perseverance in us. And sometimes, the longer we fight adversity, the longer we remain caught in the middle of it! Our suffering often leads to outcomes even better than what we experienced before the hard times began -- so let's remember that God can use any struggle for His greater purpose of molding and shaping us into who He's designed us to be.