Are You A "Hypermiler"?

A what?

A hypermiler.

Yeah, just as I suspected...the spell checking mechanism on my web browser doesn't like that word. That's because the term "hypermiler" is relatively new to the English language. I suppose it's slang at this point, but with gas prices soaring over $4 per gallon and inching ever closer to the $5 mark, it's a term that is working it's way into the vocabulary of an increasingly large number of people.

So what is hypermiling? According to an August 2006 story in the Washington Post, it is a method of increasing your car's gas mileage by making skillful changes in the way you drive, allowing you to save gas and thereby have an easier time withstanding the rising oil and gas prices.

It involves techniques such as slowly accelerating from stops, coasting to red lights and stop signs by shifting into neutral well ahead of time, and actually going under the speed limit from time to time.

When I first heard of this concept, I laughed and jeered like a typical "too cool for school" person. When I looked at our budget and realized Kelly and I are consuming $400+ per month in gasoline, I took another look. So, beginning yesterday, I started hypermiling! So far (according to my on-board computer), I'm saving about three to four miles per gallon thanks to my new driving style. When this is computed using the current $4 per gallon, I am saving between eight and nine dollars per tank of gas. Not bad at all.

Believe me...these hypermiling techniques are difficult for me to adopt. I'm not a speeder, but I do like to get up to speed quickly. Not any more. Shifting into neutral a quarter mile away from a traffic light goes against my instincts, but now I find myself making a bit of a game out of how far I can coast. And going under the speed limit? Well, I try not to do this when someone is behind me on a one lane road...that's just inconsiderate since everyone is not a hypermiler. But if I'm on a multi-lane road or nobody is behind me, I may find myself putting along at 35 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone! Add to all this the fact that I'm going to try and ride my motorcycle more (once these 100+ degree days leave), and I figure to be saving significant amounts of cash!

What this all comes down to is a change of habits. If it is different results we desire, it is different actions we must take. Albert Einstein once said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

The same holds true with any other area of life. Are your habits in keeping with God's word? Do your daily actions take you one step closer to heaven, or hell? Both destinations are very real places that will exist forever. You and I are inching ever closer to eternity with every passing day. In the example of hypermiling, it is causing me to go against what I've always done behind the wheel of a car....and it's very challenging at times. But I know this...if I keep on doing what I've always done, I can expect similar results!

If your style of living is taking you down the broad way that leads to destruction, the only way to veer off that deadly course is to change your way of life!

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14, ESV

Why are there so few that enter the gate that leads to life? Jesus said it is due to the fact that it is "hard." Heaven's road requires giving up some things we may not want to give up. It demands full allegiance and submission to Christ as King. Grace that leads to salvation is given to all (Titus 2:11), but only a few accept it.

If you are on the path that leads to destruction even now, will you make a u-turn by repenting and obeying the will of the Father? If you are living outside of Christ, and if you continue to live outside of Christ, you can expect to be in a similar situation in eternity -- that is, separated from him in outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:27-28).

It is my earnest hope that you will submit to the Lord today -- for yesterday has been lost, and tomorrow may never be.

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No GPS Needed For This Bird

On February 29th of this year (2008), I wrote about the amazing abilities of the African Grey Parrot. Included in that post was a brief video of Einstein, the African Grey Parrot who appeared on Animal Planet's Pet Star. If you'd like to read that article and view the video, just click the "February" link under "2008" in the menu to the right. As a follow-up to that article, here's an amazing story about Yosuke, the African Grey Parrot from Japan (that's him in the photo to the right).

When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.

Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said. He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.

"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.

"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said. The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.

We can learn a thing or two from Mr. Yosuke the Parrot. He was reunited with his family because he knows his true home. For the child of God, he or she knows that the eternal home of the soul is in heaven. The holy spirit of God inspired Paul the apostle to write these words:

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:20-21, ESV

If we will keep our sights set on our eternal home, we -- by the grace of God -- will find our way to that bright city whose builder and maker is God. Yosuke learned to recite his address by diligent daily training and discipline. God's grace provides the training for our upright living in view of eternity.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age...
Titus 2:11-12, ESV

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A Book Of Unique Ability

Jesus said...

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32, ESV

While praying to the Father, Jesus declared God's word to be truth (John 17:17) -- that is, the objective and absolute standard of life and Godliness. His statement above from the eighth chapter of John's gospel account makes the point that any man or woman who abides in his word will know "the truth." In so stating, Christ makes a powerful and unmistakable claim of deity.

Yes, the word of God the Father and God the Son are one and the same. The word of the Father that sanctifies the soul (John 17:17) is the same word of the Son that sets a soul free from the bondage and condemnation of sin (John 8:31-32).

There exists no other single volume nor collection of volumes that can truthfully make the same assertion. Great literary masterpieces and best sellers have prompted men and women the world over to change their world views and ways of living. Yet, every letter of every word on every page of every copy of every other book ever sold in the history of the world is utterly powerless to set free a soul condemned by sin to die.

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12, ESV

If you don't have a Bible, GET ONE.
If you've got a Bible, READ IT.
If you read the Bible, BELIEVE IT.
If you believe the Bible, LIVE IT.

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Life Can Be Hard, But God Is Good

HE IS STRONG in our weakness.

HE IS COMFORT when we're in pain.

HE IS LOVE when we need acceptance.

HE IS PEACE when we're haunted by fear.

HE IS PROTECTION when we're in the midst of trouble.

HE HEALS OUR WOUNDS when someone or something hurts us.

HE IS JOY when our hearts are grieved.

HE IS OUR FRIEND when we need acceptance.

HE IS OUR POWER when we are helpless.

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Steak Knife Salvation

In a city synonymous with great steaks, one man is grateful for the steak knife that helped spare his life. Steve Wilder, of Omaha, Nebraska, used a steak knife to perform an at-home tracheotomy. He took this drastic measure because he thought he was going to die one night last week after awakening and being unable to breathe.

Wilder said he didn't call 911 because he didn't think help would arrive in time. So, the 55-year-old says, he got a steak knife from the kitchen and made a small hole in his throat, allowing air to gush in.

As someone who is about as squeamish as any human being can be, this story churns my stomach. I cannot imagine performing my own tracheotomy! However, in addition to being completely "grossed out," it also helps me to reflect on the value of life.

What some people have done in an effort to spare their own lives is astounding. The stories you have, no doubt, heard of men amputating trapped limbs with small, dull utility knives should further serve to illustrate just how far human beings will go to preserve life.

Mr. Wilder was saved from death by his own courage and determination to live. How far will you go to be saved from "the second death" (Revelation 2:11), that is, eternal condemnation and separation from God? The wonderful news is that God's grace has provided the sacrifice we needed, but could not ourselves supply (Titus 2:11) in Christ. God requires only our faith (Hebrews 11:6), loving obedience (John 14:15; Hebrews 5:9), and a humble attitude of self-sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).

How important is your own life? God has instilled within man an innate desire to live -- both physically and spiritually. When a man loses his desire to live (physically), this indicates a problem...perhaps mental illness. And when a man does not possess a desire to save his own soul, this too indicates a problem...a spirit that needs to be awakened and revived!

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16, ESV

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The Lord's Merciful Offer

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18, ESV

It is remarkable to me that the same God that the same God who declared unto us the transcendence of his ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9) makes this offer to such a feeble minded people -- an offer to reason with us! His offer of sin-cleansing grace -- sufficiently powerful to remove any trace of iniquity -- is given when we humbly accept the offer to come and reason with him.

The Lord of heaven is a God who desires our service from unabridged minds, devoting conscience, emotion, volition, and intellect to his purposes. In so doing, we benefit our own souls while glorifying God in the process. It is, after all, "for his name's sake" that he "leads us in right paths" (Psalm 23:3).

Can you think of anything more important that accepting the Lord's merciful offer yourself? The only thing that can even compete is telling others of that same offer once you have accepted it yourself.

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God's Grace As A Teacher

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ...
Titus 2:11-13, ESV

Men and women through the centuries have extolled the magnificent grace of God. Beloved old hymns and countless sermons have impressed upon the minds of multiplied millions the wonders of God's undeserved yet unreserved kindness to man. Consider the following brief points from the inspired words Paul wrote to Titus...


A. God's grace brings salvation (v. 11a).
B. God's grace has appeared to all men (v. 11b).
C. God's grace teaches six crucial concepts (v. 12-13).

1. We must renounce ungodliness (v. 12a).
2. We must renounce worldly passions (v. 12b).
3. We must live self-controlled lives (v. 12c).
4. We must live upright lives (v. 12d).
5. We must live godly lives (v. 12e).
6. Doing all the above will enable us to anticipate the return of Christ (v. 13).

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Wolves In Wool

The following article was provided by Ben Galloway. He is a close friend of mine, primarily because he is married to my sister! Ben works with the West Fayetteville church of Christ (Fayetteville, TN). Although he is just embarking on his life as an evangelist, he is a very capable speaker and writer. I would recommend him highly to anyone looking for a speaker for a youth event, as he has a background in counseling young folks. This piece follows up the previous article (immediately below this entry) that examined the beliefs and teachings of Robert H. Schuller. Ben came across a brief video that shows Schuller interviewing Billy Graham. Neither of these pieces contain personal attacks on an individual, nor is any malicious intent contained therein. That being said, no apology is necessary for contrasting what these two men espouse with the words of Christ. The statements made by both parties in this brief conversation are eye-opening.

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Robert Schuller and Billy Graham (shown in a 1951 photo at right) are two of the most well known evangelicals in this nation. Through Schuller’s “Hour of Power” television program and Graham’s countless “crusades” they have entered the living rooms of millions throughout their careers. No doubt, they are two of the more respected “preachers” the denominational world has to offer.

Based on their sterling (and undeserved) reputations as men of God’s Word, the following conversation (on Schuller’s television program) between these men should come as a surprise to many…

Schuller: “What is the future of Christianity?”

Graham: “I think that everybody that loves Christ, or knows Christ, whether they are conscious of it or not, they are members of the body of Christ. And that's what God is doing today. He's calling people out of the world, for His name. Whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the body of Christ because they have been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their heart that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think that they are saved and they are going to be with us in Heaven.”

Schuller: “Fantastic. I’m so thrilled to hear you say this. You’re saying there is a wideness to God’s mercy!”

(You may see and hear this conversation for yourself in the video posted at the bottom of this article.)

Startling theory espoused by Mr. Graham, isn’t it. While I’d gladly break down the errors in the teachings of Mr. Graham, Jesus Christ says it far more succinctly and eloquently than I could ever manage.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14, ESV

Jesus clearly states that the wide path is the path to destruction. In the New Testament there is no mention of salvation for those who deny that Christ is the Son of God (Muslims) or for those who are idolaters (Buddhists) or those who deny the existence of our Heavenly Father (non-believers). That is the wide path to destruction that Jesus warns us of. Graham’s doctrine of universal salvation is in direct defiance of the teachings of Jesus Himself!

Isn’t it interesting that Christ follows that warning with this…

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:15, ESV

Indeed, Robert Schuller and Billy Graham are those wolves in sheep’s clothing of which Jesus warned us. When they lack the courage to stand up for Christ -- to declare Him as the one path to the Father -- they become false prophets. Their doctrine would mean Christ hung on the cross in vain, and His teachings were false.

Sadly, many good intentioned souls have been lead down the wide path to destruction by these men. As Christians we must have a ready answer when presented with false doctrine and a willingness to teach, in love, those who lack the knowledge or understanding of what must be done to be saved!

-- Ben Galloway
BenGalloway@gmail.com

G.R.A.C.E.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people...
Titus 2:11, ESV

The grace of God Brings:

God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense


Thus, the grace of God ought to be...

...training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age...
Titus 2:12, ESV

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How To Follow In The Footsteps Of Jesus

From time to time, we sing an old hymn entitled, Footprints Of Jesus. The chorus of this song reads...

Footprints of Jesus, that make the pathway glow; we will follow the steps of Jesus where e'er they go.

For those who understand the nature of Christ (God's Son and the Savior of mankind), following in the footsteps of Jesus is the prime objective. Consider the words of Peter's God-breathed message...

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21, ESV

But how does one truly follow in Christ's footsteps?

B -- Believe in him (John 1:12)

Y -- Yield to him (Romans 12:1)

G -- Go to him in prayer (1 John 5:14-15)

R -- Read & study his word (2 Timothy 2:15)

O -- Obey his commands (John 15:14)

W -- Work for him (1 Corinthians 15:58)

I -- Ignore the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11)

N -- Nothing held back (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

G -- Give talents and resources (Matthew 25:20; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

I -- Increase in fruit (John 15:8)

N -- Neglect not God's gift (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6)

G -- Gather with the saints (Hebrews 10:25)

R -- Redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16; 2 Timothy 2:4)

A -- Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

C -- Conquer Satan and temptation (James 4:7; Matthew 26:41)

E -- Expect Christ's return (Hebrews 9:28)

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18, ESV

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Why You And I Need Christ

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and he life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6, ESV


Without the WAY you cannot go.
Without the TRUTH you cannot know.
Without the LIFE you cannot grow.

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Boundless Divine Care

"As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sand of the sea cannot be
measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me."
Jeremiah 33:22, ESV

In 1837, Johann Hey wrote a poem that would later become the lyrics to a hymn we sing to this day. The words were set to a German Folk tune. Do you recognize them?

Can you count the stars of evening

That are shining in the sky?

Can you count the clouds that daily

Over all the world go by?

God the Lord who doth not slumber,

Keepeth all the boundless number:

But He careth more for thee,

But He careth more for thee.

Hipparchus, who lived several hundred years after the prophet Jeremiah (ca. 150 B.C.) confidently asserted his knowledge of the "fact" that there were exactly 1,026 stars in the universe. Ptolemy, the renowned Roman scientist who lived in the time of Christ, disagreed with the findings of the great Hipparchus. He claimed knowledge of an additional 30 stars, which brought the number up to 1,056. It was not until Galileo's telescope that man began to understand the firmament of the Lord contains a vast, "boundless number" of stars.

It is estimated by current astronomers that there are about Ten Billion galaxies within range of the powerful 200-inch telescope. Consider the fact that Einstein figured total space to be at least 100,000 times greater than observable space, and our most recent and best guesses bring the total up to at least 100 Septillion stars in the universe!! If you have trouble visualizing that figure (like me), here is what it looks like written out...

100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (that's a one with 26 zeros behind it!)

When God used the hand of Jeremiah to write, "the host of heaven cannot be numbered," he really meant it!!! To count the stars would be like trying to count every single grain of sand on all the shores of the earth (Genesis 22:17). If everyone in the world were to unite in an effort to count the stars, each person would count more than 50 Billion of them without the same star being counted twice! Is it not amazing that the God who made them all knows each one by name (Psalm 147:4)? Is it not even more impressive that he cares for you and me more than these (Matthew 6:25-34)?

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Freshly Brewed Coffee, And Philosophy While You Wait

While waiting on a cup of coffee in downtown Birmingham two months ago, I picked up a half-page flier printed on glossy card stock. It was an advertisement for I'll Make You Love Me, a monologue show written by J'Mel Davidson and directed by Doug O'Neil. By the way, I have no clue who these folks are....just reading what it says on the flier.

The photo (inset at right) shows a parent and an infant child in silhouette with the following statement superimposed: "Love means never having to be accountable for your actions."

When I picked the card up out of sheer curiosity, I turned it over and discovered that the show was being presented by The Feminist Dedutante Guild. I must confess, I have no clue what constitutes a "Feminist Dedutante."

So, what about that statement: "Love means never having to be accountable for your actions." Is there any validity to that? I submit we should consult the very source, the very personification (so to speak) of love -- Almighty God. What does God's word say about love and its relationship to our actions and accountability therefor?

Does God love us even when our actions do not align with his will? "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, ESV). So, the answer is yes...God loves us even when we stand in rebellion to him. However, that does not mean he loves -- or even approves of -- our actions. Will we be accountable for our unrighteous actions even though God clearly declares his love for us in the midst thereof? Consider the following:

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak."
Matthew 12:36, ESV

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12, ESV

The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
1 Peter 4:3-5, ESV

Some of us have become so accustomed to justice bending to the will of the accused that we actually believe the Judge of all mankind will follow suit. Let me assure you, dear reader friend, that God will execute perfect justice. His love and mercy will reign on that day for those covered in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb. For those who have left this realm unprepared and unredeemed, though he love them, they will be held accountable for their unholy actions.

Notwithstanding the Birmingham Feminist Dedutante Guild's propaganda, love means the opportunity to serve a God who is willing to forgive upon our repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God's love does not somehow cancel the righteous and just facets of his nature which demand holiness (1 Peter 1:16).

Interesting what you can learn while waiting on a cup of coffee, isn't it?

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Just One Way

Among the most quoted and recognizable words from the life of Christ are the following, found in the fourteenth chapter of John's account of the gospel:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

Christ declares himself to be the solution to the fundamental problem of the human race: sin and the consequences thereof. Have you given thought to the words in contrast to what we hear from other "authorities?"

Philosophy says THINK your way out.

Science says INVENT your way out.

Legislators say LEGISLATE your way out.

Politicians say SPEND your way out.

The liquor industry says DRINK your way out.

Psychiatry says TALK your way out.

Banks and lenders say BUY your way out.

Demonstrators say SHOUT your way out.

Rioters say FIGHT your way out.

Industry says WORK your way out.

False religion says FEEL your way out.

Satan says THERE IS NO WAY out.

Jesus says I AM the way out!

As the beloved old hymn declares, "There is just one way to the pearly gate!"

Are you going that way?

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What Would You Do For $647?

One family in Menomonie, Wisconsin had their wills and stomachs put to the test recently. Take a look at this story from the Associated Press:

Debbie Hulleman's dog Pepper has been known to gnaw on lipstick, munch on shampoo bottles and chew on toothpaste. But Pepper got Hulleman into a real mess after gobbling nearly $750.

"This is probably the worst," Hulleman said Thursday, recalling how she poked through vomit and dog piles left in the yard to recover the cash.

Hulleman had asked her mother in Oakdale, Minn., to take care of Pepper and Zach, the family's other dog last month while she and husband went on vacation.

Pepper, an 8-year-old black Labrador-German shorthair, got into a purse belonging to her mother's friend and chewed the cash from an envelope.

Hulleman's mother recovered some of the money that Pepper spit out, thinking she had it all. But when Hulleman returned from the trip and went to clean up her dogs' mess outside, she noticed a $50 bill hanging from one pile.

The chore of sorting through dog feces netted about $400, the 50-year-old dog lover said. Between that and other bills that Pepper had either vomited or simply chewed on, the family recovered $647.

The family swapped the soiled money for fresh currency at a bank.

"It wasn't that bad. I soaked it and strained it and rinsed it. I just kept rinsing it and rinsing it. I had rubber gloves on of course," Hulleman said.

"Everyone said, 'I can't believe you did that.' Well, for $400, yeah, I would do that," she said.

So, would you do what the Hulleman family did for $647? That sure is a lot of money, but that sure is a gut-turning method of recovery!

I wonder how many would go through that process to retrieve a few hundred bucks, yet will not accept God's kind and loving offer of salvation by grace through faith. We are wholly unable to redeem ourselves from the grip of Satan and into the loving embrace of the Savior.

Thankfully, if we will submit ourselves as loving children and obey the gospel, calling on his name through obedience to His will (see Acts 22:16), we will be saved! Furthermore, if we will remain devoted and faithful throughout our time on this earth, He will give us "the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

Jesus challenged the world thus: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?" (Matthew 16:26, ESV)

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The Flock Of One

An objective study of the Bible leads one to understand the deadly nature of sin. Transgression of God's law is that which drives the proverbial wedge between a man and his Creator. There is no doubt that God gives ample space in the Scriptures to warning mankind of sin's devastating consequences.

If the people of God have any interest whatsoever in faithfully proclaiming the good news of salvation contained in the gospel, they will not water down the truth about sin and its eternal penalty. Those who preach the increasingly popular "Social Gospel" stay away from addressing anything that might be construed as even hinting at an allusion to something that might resemble the most vague reference to the concept of sin. For in doing so, they know the thousands who have "itching ears" will continue to pour into converted basketball arenas and gleefully place their offerings in the coffers.

That being said, if we are not on our guard, we can easily fall into the extreme at the other end of the spectrum. What if -- in our zealousness to convince the world of the poisonous effects of sin -- we treat sinners as the Pharisees and scribes did in the time of Jesus' earthly life? In Luke 15:1-7, we see representatives from both of these groups grumbling about the fact that Jesus was eating with sinners. Jesus taught them a parable about a single lost sheep. In hearing these words, they (Pharisees and scribes) and we ought to learn some important points:

1. God is concerned about the lost, and seeks them.
2. The Lord loves us individually.
3. People wander away from God through neglect.
4. The lost sheep may have known it was lost, but did not know its way home.
5. The path back to God is traveled through repentance.
6. Self-righteousness will deaden our concern for the lost.

Being a disciple of Jesus means having the same care and concern for a lost soul as Jesus, our Savior. Are you not glad He so regarded you?

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What Christ Means To Us

To billions of men and women around the world, he was just another man. Some say an extraordinarily wise moral teacher, but still just a man after all. The Bible says...

He [God] is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30, ESV

If, then, you will allow him to be, Jesus will be:

• Wisdom for your mind
• Righteousness for your heart
• Sanctification for your service
• Redemption for your victory

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The Unchanging Jesus

The Bible says...

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8, ESV

The book of Hebrews portrays the majestic Christ in the past, present, and future tenses:

1. Past -- Yesterday -- lower than the angels for a while (Hebrews 2:7a)


2. Present -- Today -- crowned with glory and honor; all things in subjection to Him (Hebrews 2:7b, 8a)


3. Future -- Forever -- all things under his feet (Hebrews 2:8b)

Aren't you thankful we have the opportunity to serve a God who is faithful instead of fickle? His character, plans, and blessings are invariably right, just, full of love, and full of mercy. He is worthy of our praise and adoration -- our utmost devotion and service. This day, tell someone who needs to know.

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