But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) Do you ever feel like something is lacking in your life? When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, it was a perfect place. God walked and talked with them in the cool of each day. They were made in the likeness and image of God; they were like Him. They were God’s kids. When the devil tempted Eve to eat the fruit, he said it would make her like God (Genesis 3:4, NLT). He wanted her to think she lacked something that could only be found by disobeying God. The simple truth …

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Philippians 2:8–10 (NKJV) Do you ever feel like you don’t measure up? At one point in my life, I lived with a constant sense that I could never do enough. It didn’t matter what I did; I always felt like it wasn’t enough to please God. When I felt that I was falling short of what He wanted me to do, I would beat up myself. I thought that I could improve my …

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NKJV) Over the past few weeks, we’ve been discussing what Jesus accomplished for us. Today I want you to really think about Him. Think about the fact that His death, resurrection and ascension made a way for you to live your life free from shame and condemnation. In fact, whenever you begin to focus on your inadequacies and shortcomings, switch to thinking about God’s promises. This is what our verse today means when it says to take your thoughts into …

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 (NKJV) Don’t forget the simplicity of the gospel. Jesus died for you and, if you accept Him, every promise in the Bible is yours. According to our verse today, you have an abundance of grace. This means you have more of God’s strength and power within you than you will ever need. In Him, every promise is yours, and you are empowered to make choices that will cause you to live out the incredible life He has for you. Some people argue that every promise in the Bible …

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NKJV) As you read the Bible, it is vital you understand that everything must be taken through Jesus’ finished work of the cross. Paul wrote of the importance of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 2:2. He wrote, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (NKJV). What was Paul talking about? He wasn’t saying that he only taught people about Jesus’ crucifixion. What he meant was that everything he ever taught had to go through the truth of what Jesus accomplished for us. In other words, every Old Testament principle has to be filtered through the fact that as believers …