Summary Feelings of inferiority can cripple believers, but God offers not only comfort but also power. Through faith in Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, broken spirits can be healed and renewed. Like the healed man in Acts 3, true strength comes from Christ, not self-confidence. Lasting wholeness grows as believers renew their minds with God’s truth and reflect Jesus by serving others. The Paralyzing Power of Insecurity Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy paralyze ma

Summary The Christian life is not about promoting ourselves, building self-esteem, or drawing attention to our abilities. It is about reflecting Jesus Christ to the world. Just as any surface can reflect light, every believer is called to display Christ’s character through faith, humility, and service. Our value is not found in who we are, but in how clearly our lives point others to Him. The True Measure of the Christian Life We are born in bondage to sin and death. We natur

Summary God’s law reveals sin we often cannot see in ourselves, exposing cravings that replace God’s authority. Though the law is good and reflects God’s character, sin deceives us and traps us in failure. We may desire to do right yet lack the power to obey. The problem is not the law but our sinful nature. Romans 8 announces the good news that through Jesus Christ, we are set free from sin’s cage. Blind to Our Own Sin God’s law equips us to recognize our neighbor’s sin! Mea

Summary God’s law reveals His perfect standards but provides no power to meet them, leaving us condemned. Through union with Christ’s death and resurrection, believers die to sin and the law and are released to live under grace. This freedom enables fruitful lives marked by Christlike character, good works, generosity, praise, and leading others to faith. True service flows from the Spirit’s power, not legalistic rule-keeping. The Law’s Demands and Our Inability Imagine a hus

Summary Jesus is the exact image of God and is supreme over all creation. He reveals the Father, sustains the universe, and leads the church as its risen Lord. Through His death, God reconciles sinners, once alienated, to Himself, granting holiness and righteousness in Christ. Genuine faith perseveres, allowing God to transform character over time so believers increasingly reflect Jesus’ life and glory. Jesus: The Visible Image of the Invisible God Jesus is one of a kind. He

Summary There is a tension between grace and rule-keeping in salvation. Early Jewish believers insisted Gentiles keep the Law of Moses, but the Jerusalem Council affirmed that salvation comes by grace through faith alone. Peter and James confirmed that God accepts Jews and Gentiles equally without additional requirements. True freedom flows from trusting God’s unconditional love, which produces Spirit-led obedience and love for others, fulfilling the heart of the Law. The Str

Summary Paul explains that humanity dies not merely because of personal sins but because of its connection to Adam, the head of the human race. We are guilty by association, a truth that feels unfair until grace intervenes. Through faith, God credits Christ’s righteousness to us. Adam brought sin and death. Jesus brings righteousness and life. Association with Adam is automatic, but association with Christ is a grace-filled choice Hidden Death: A Deadly Parallel Pancreatic ca

Summary Unbelief is an unwinnable war against God that produces destruction, not freedom. Through Christ’s death, peace with God is now available, ending the conflict for those who trust Him. Believers rejoice in both future glory and present hardships, knowing God uses suffering to shape Christlike character. Saved while enemies, they can trust God to sustain them as His children. True confidence is found in bragging about God, not us. An Unwinnable War Against God Wars are

Summary Sin is humanity’s universal problem. Measured against God’s perfect righteousness, no one is good enough. Sin corrupts every part of life, including thoughts, words, actions, and relationships, leaving people guilty and without peace. God’s law exposes this guilt but cannot save. The proper response is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Through Him, forgiveness, new life, and the gift of the Holy Spirit are offered to all who believe. The Universal Problem of Sin G

Summary A bow and arrow illustrate how God accomplishes His will. God supplies the power, and His Word carries out His purpose. Believers participate by exerting faithful effort while relying fully on God’s strength. God works within us, yet we must contend with all we have. Living God’s will is not passive. It is a partnership where divine power and human obedience work together to bear fruit for Christ. A Childhood Picture of Power and Direction My earliest memory of a bo

Summary A retired pastor unknowingly chose a sermon titled “What’s Wrong with the Church,”  guided by the Holy Spirit. Just before the service, a public conflict erupted, making the message uncannily timely. The sermon addressed divisions, hypocrisy, and fruitlessness, calling believers to forgiveness and reconciliation. Afterward, listeners recognized God’s hand in the moment. The experience illustrates how God often directs our words and actions for His purposes, more often

Summary A Bible-teaching ministry in Malawi and Mozambique expanded rapidly, creating an overwhelming need for Bibles. God met every need in unexpected ways, providing generous donors and thousands of Bibles beyond what was imagined. Scripture shows this pattern repeatedly, from Elijah’s provision to Jesus’ miracles. God is faithful to supply needs, but He rarely does so predictably. His provision often comes through surprising people and methods, revealing His power and glor

Summary Saying yes to God has unpredictable, far-reaching results. Just as small beginnings can create a massive impact, God used 120 believers to spark a worldwide movement that continues today. Spiritual growth spreads through faithful witnesses who share what Jesus has done. God invites each person to contribute using their gifts and passions. Perseverance and grace can multiply simple obedience into life-changing ministry. Saying yes to God, again and again, can yield res

Summary Athletes perform better with the wind at their backs, a fitting picture of spiritual life and ministry. All lasting Christian fruit is God-aided, not self-produced. Ministry pressures can lead to discouragement, while success can tempt pride. Both extremes harm leaders and those they serve. Scripture urges perseverance and humility, reminding believers that apart from Christ they can do nothing. Every spiritual success is wind-aided by God’s power, and He alone deserv

Summary Many associate with Christianity without living by Christ’s power. Jesus is God’s wisdom and strength, experienced through the Holy Spirit. When believers yield daily to the Spirit’s control, God produces joy, boldness, and effective witness. Like Philip, Spirit-led Christians build relationships, listen well, and share Christ at the right time. God prepares hearts and brings people into our lives when we rely on His power rather than mere religious activity. Settling

Summary The book of Acts shows that what Jesus began on earth, He continues through believers by the Holy Spirit. Christianity is not rule-keeping but Christ living His life through surrendered people. Most spiritual barrenness comes from self-control rather than Spirit-control. Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost continues through those who yield leadership of their lives to Him. New life, kingdom impact, and lasting fruit flow only from daily surrender, not self-rule.

Summary A missionary’s powerless car illustrates a common spiritual problem. Power is available, but the connection is missing. Jesus promised unlimited power through the Holy Spirit, not for control or politics, but for transformed living and effective witness. The Spirit empowers believers only as they submit to God’s leadership. True spiritual power shapes character, fuels obedience, and enables bold testimony. Staying connected requires desire, confession, and faith-fille

Summary Container-grown vegetables illustrate the Christian life. Without constant nourishment, growth fails. Believers are planted by God but lack the strength to flourish on their own. The Holy Spirit provides continual life, power, guidance, and transformation. He renews hearts and minds, produces Christlike character, empowers prayer and witness, and equips believers for service. Lasting spiritual fruit comes only through daily dependence on the Spirit, not human effort.

Summary Revelation 1 describes God as the sovereign source of grace, peace, and power. The Father rules history, the Spirit works perfectly, and Jesus Christ reigns as the faithful witness, risen Lord, and King of kings. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers become priests and overcomers, freed from fear, assured of victory, and strengthened to live faithfully until His triumphant return. Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves A better understanding of God strengthens

Summary Bold Christian witness comes from the Holy Spirit, not personality or education. Early believers, empowered by the Spirit, proclaimed Jesus fearlessly, as seen in the Book of Acts. Fear is overcome through God’s power, which produces self-control and courage. When believers surrender control and step out in faith, the Holy Spirit fills them afresh and enables effective, Christ-centered witness despite opposition. Spirit-Empowered Boldness in the Early Church The early