The world values what you do and what you can achieve. Religion does the very same. God values who you are and who you are becoming. He desires His children to be set apart, consecrated, and growing in Christ-centered holiness.

God sees our pain, and His awareness leads Him to alleviate it. His brow is not furrowed toward us. His arms are open in compassion.

God’s faithfulness does not spring up from sentimentality or pity, but rather His covenantal love for His people. The muscle of His faithfulness is love and mercy. As He has shown His faithfulness, we turn and reflect it to the world.

We expect brokenness at every turn in life. We learn to trust reason, intuition, and experience to define what is true. But God, our anchor in reality, is Truth, and we depend on Him to make sense of and make right all that we see in this world.

Human justice is partial, prone to inconsistency, and ebbs with the cultural tides. God’s justice is perfect, impartial, and righteous. His justice restores wholeness and holds evil at bay.

While we were at our worst, with nothing to offer to tip the scales of grace, Christ died for us. At every stage, we are not met by a God with a furrowed brow, but the compassion of our Lord Jesus. His grace alone has saved us.

Mercy is giving someone what they do not deserve. It isn’t weakness; it is God’s strength bending low. Mercy meets us in our rebellion, covers our guilt, and restores our lives. To receive His mercy is to be transformed into people who extend it.

For most of us, “love” is a junk drawer word. It can mean everything and nothing. But true love is rooted in God’s nature. It is radiant light invading the shadows. It's Him rescuing us from the dominion of darkness and dressing us in righteousness. True love takes action.

All things have been created through Jesus and for Jesus. His blood was spilt as reconciliation for not only the human soul, but the whole of the universe. So how do we participate in His renewal of all things? We work hard, practice hospitality, and pray blessings over our city.

He who began this great work in you is faithful to complete it! God has not started something He cannot finish. So we run toward Him, beholding and heralding the goodness of His gospel, knowing our God will come through in the end. 

Jesus came to save sinners. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus transfers us from death to life. He takes us out of darkness and into the kingdom of light.

Taste and see that our God is good! Those who look on Him are radiant. He rescues the poor and restores the broken. Those who rest in Him are happy. He gives purpose and protection to His people. Exalt His Name forever! 

If the fruit is bad, something is wrong with the vine. But how might we produce the good fruit that lasts? Moment by moment, we turn back to Jesus. Day by day, the vine abides in the comforts, resources, and abilities of the Holy Branch.  

We, a people embedded in darkness, have seen a great light. Even those of us dwelling among indelible shadows, a new day is dawning on us. Repent, for His kingdom is now!

We cannot come to God with our goodness, because we have none. Our attempts toward holiness are filthy, but it is faith that pleases Him. It is a broken and repentant heart that reconciles us to our God. 

The fields are ruined, the new wine is dried up, and human joy has evaporated. Even still, our God is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and calls us to get up, repent, and return to Him.

Time is running out. This is the time to be serious about our walk with Christ. We cannot take it for granted. We must be warriors for the Kingdom of Heaven and contend for the faith—not just for ourselves, but for the sake of those around us.

God desires three sounds in the heart and house of His people: the prayers for all nations, the praises of His Saints, and the proclamation of His Gospel. Anything less is a sound that grieves His heart.

Our faith should change us. As we receive the Word, let us be those who put it into action—not letting it terminate on our ears, but germinate in our hearts.

Bitterness creeps into our hearts and grows into resentment, unforgiveness, and hatred. It stagnates our sanctification, but with a perspective shift, the bitter becomes sweet and turns into resilience.