But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, Romans 5:20 (AMPC) Serving Jesus is the best way to live. Many people think that they need to resist temptation to suffer for Jesus. Although resisting temptation may be hard at first, it’s not a life sentence! God wants you to enjoy life, not live every moment craving things you can’t have! God designed us to experience pleasure, and we can learn to meet every desire we have in ways that are healthy, God-honouring and more fulfilling.   Many destructive habits stem from legitimately healthy desires. For example, someone who loves to party and get drunk every weekend may just be trying to meet a desire …

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. Ephesians 3:12 (NLT) Many believers are hesitant to pray because they feel like God is judging them. When they do something wrong, they avoid talking to God about it. They feel like they should be hanging their heads in shame, not asking for help. But today’s verse says that we should come to God with freedom and confidence.   Yesterday we talked about Hebrews 4:16, where it says that you can come boldly to the throne of grace and get mercy and help. If you’ve made a mistake, you can say, “Father, I need mercy because I’ve messed up,” and you can know that you’re forgiven.   …

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 (AMPC) Today’s verse says that you can go boldly to God as a believer, even when you mess up.   What do you get when you go to Him? Well, it doesn’t say that you get judgment. When you come boldly to God’s throne of grace, you get mercy.   What is mercy? When you mess up, instead of the punishment you deserve, you get forgiveness instead. You’re a …

For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. Hebrews 2:18 (AMPC) Hebrews 2:16–18 is a great piece of Scripture to study. First it mentions the fact that God made a plan to help mankind out of the fallen state we found ourselves in (which was the result of Adam’s decision) and into right-standing with Him.   Although a group of God’s angels had also fallen, He didn’t make a similar plan for them. He only did that for us!   Then it talks about Jesus in verse 17. It …

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 (NKJV) Over the years, I’ve talked to many people who were struggling to overcome something in their lives. Some have such trouble handling anger that they are tempted to commit murder. Others worry to such an extent that it has taken over their lives.   Some struggle with addiction and don’t believe they’re ever going to be set free. They feel like they’re always going to want it so badly that it’s all they’ll ever think about, day in and day out. They think that even if they drum up enough willpower to stop doing it, they’re still going to want to do it.   …