“In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.” – Titus 1:2

God never lies. He can’t lie. He doesn’t lie. He is truth. Pause for a moment to consider how truly unique that is. Politicians lie. Celebrities lie. Advertisers lie. TV talking heads lie. Social media titans lie. People you trust and care about lie. God never lies.

You can always count on God for He is true. You may not always like His truth, but what He has said is true and will remain so. He doesn’t change His mind like a squirrel running across a road. This means you can trust the truths God proclaims…

You are made in His image. You are loved by Him. He cares about you and the problems and challenges of your life. He desires to be in relationship with You. He sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross in your place. Through faith in Jesus, God will forgive your guilt, shame, and sins. By grace, God will welcome you into His family, love you, and delight in you. God has a purpose and plan for your life. Your life matters and God has prepared good things for you to do throughout your life.

Sorting out the true from the false in the world is exhausting, stressful, and uncertain. Anchor yourself in God’s truth and eliminate all that uncertainty!!! Devote yourself to learning God’s truth and living it in your life. Enjoy the certain hope of God’s blessing, joy, and truth in Jesus Christ!

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” – Luke 18:22

A rich man asked Jesus what he needed to do to receive eternal life. His question was misdirected as it is for most people. There’s nothing anyone can do to receive eternal life. There’s no amount of good deeds sufficient to be worthy of the perfection of our holy God. Eternal life is a gift of God given by grace through faith in His Son. To help the man understand this matter of the heart, Jesus tested him to see if he had faith in Jesus or in himself and his stuff.

Did the man have faith sufficient to follow Jesus? Did he have faith that would permit him to let go of what was most precious to him on earth (money) so he could receive what he thought was most precious (eternal life). Unfortunately, he didn’t. He was too attached to his money. In itself, having wealth doesn’t keep anyone from heaven. However, if your possessions, accounts, assets, and properties consume your time, energy, and emotions, leaving little to follow Jesus they’ll keep you from genuine saving faith.

If you’re more attached to stuff than you are to Jesus, that indicates a lack of true faith. If you’re more interested in piling up treasure on earth and what it can do for you than you are in storing up eternal treasure in heaven, that indicates a lack of true faith. Follow Jesus, whatever the cost! Don’t let stuff (cars, homes, toys, treasures, assets, careers, or dollars) hold you back from truly following Jesus. It’s a matter of eternal life!

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
– Proverbs 12:1

We live in a culture that hates reproof, rebuke, and correction. That isn’t just true of our broader culture that demands affirmation and celebration no matter how profoundly wrong we are. It’s especially true of American Christianity! We can be extraordinarily thin-skinned, defensive, and hostile in the face of biblical reproof. The Bible is crystal clear, over and over again, that if we love God, desire to grow in Christ, and are wise, we should WELCOME reproof and that if we don’t, we’re FOOLS!

Reproof isn’t about nitpicking, taking potshots, or criticizing one another over matters of taste or opinion about trivial issues. Reproof is the application of Scripture to something that is un-Christlike or sinful in another believer’s actions, words, or attitudes. Reproof is an act of love and discipleship from one believer toward a brother or sister in Christ. Reproof is an uncomfortable but necessary tool God uses for our sanctification. The Bible repeatedly commands us to use Scripture to refine one another in love.

Christians, we need to get over ourselves! We need to get over our sinful need to “always be right” or never be challenged. We need to get over our fleshly confusion that mistakes reproof and rebuke for disrespect and hate. We need to accept that becoming like Jesus is uncomfortable, difficult, and an ongoing process throughout our entire lives. We’re never “too old” or “too mature” for reproof in love and we need to not only stop hating it (and considering those who reprove us to be enemies), we need to learn to love it!

“Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?'” – Luke 17:17-18

Jesus worked an incredible, life-transforming miracle on ten people. Nine were so excited that they eagerly rushed ahead to resume living their lives. One was so appreciative that he turned around to praise God and say thank you to Jesus.

Jesus has done a far greater miracle for you! He died on a cross to pay the penalty for your sins. He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven where He rules and reigns today. He sustains the universe you live in. He united Himself with you if you’ve put your faith in Him. Indeed, He’s made you new creation in that case. His righteousness has been credited to your account. You have eternal life now and forever because of Him.

Moreover, Jesus is with you always to the end of the age. He will never leave or forsake you. His Spirit convicts you, comforts you, strengthens you, and transforms you. His love sustains you and His mercy washes over you. If you haven’t done so in a while, take several minutes right now just to praise God and say thank you to Jesus before you resume your busy life.

“Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” – 2 Timothy 1:12

Is this your testimony? Paul suffered for Christ but knew there was no disgrace in it. The world thought him to be disgraceful and defeated but he wasn’t ashamed. Why? Because he knew Jesus. He didn’t just believe a mountain of doctrines and Scriptures. He knew the Son of God personally and believed in His power to save sinners. He knew Christ’s power to guard him spiritually against every attack, every discouragement, and every defeat. He knew that the good news of Jesus Christ had been entrusted to him to share with people far and wide.

Is that true for you? Do you know Jesus, the Son of God? Is He your friend? If you don’t know Him, put your trust in Him, His death and His resurrection. When you believe in Him, He will enter you and unite with you so you can get to know Him. If you have trusted in Him but don’t feel like you know Him, devote yourself to getting to know Him through daily worship, prayer, and Bible study.

If you’re a Christian, you’ve been entrusted with the same good news as Paul. You are guarded by the same Lord and Savior he was. You too have the power in Christ to suffer without shame as you proclaim hope, life, and light to our dark, dying, and hopeless society. Start making Paul’s testimony your own today!