We just say what God says! Say it with sincerity, with the power to change lives and with gospel competence.

At the end of the Book of Acts, Paul gets bit by a poisonous snake. Why is life so tough on this missionary? And why is life so tough for us? The answer appears to be that God is not simply trying to make us comfortable. He's trying to make us great, instruments of divine strength that are useful to building his Kingdom. It's an honor to be redemptive agents that cary the truth and love of Jesus our Savior.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend. But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:6

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

Your experiences matter to God and others. Not a single one is wasted, ever, but used by God for good.

Staying connected to Jesus in His word and sacraments is the only way anyone of us can bear the fruit God looks for.

The Triune God had a plan for us before time even began. He knew us. He loved us. He chose us. And this was not because we were already holy, but to make us holy. This comes when we allow the Spirit to lead us to live, not for an identity, but from our new identity in Christ.

At what moments in your life have you been most fully alive? What fascinates you? What do you really love to do? Delight in your heart. Like God does!

At the center of all biblical doctrine is Paul’s Letter to the Romans. And at the center of Romans is the notion of gifted “RIGHTEOUSNESS,” perhaps the most under-comprehended, under-appreciated teaching of the Bible.

Going back to the basics of what ascension means for us leads us to celebrate.