if threats, manipulation, and guilt could create lasting change in the life of another person, Jesus would not have had to come.

Theology that isn't zealous to promote forgiving and transforming grace, the kind of grace that changes your life, is simply bad theology.

We don't obey to get his favor; we obey because his favor has fallen on us and transformed our hearts, giving us the willingness and power to obey.

The church is a community of unfinished people living in a broken world and still in need of God's forgiving and transforming grace. The church isn't meant, for either leaders or those being led, to be comfortable; it's meant to be personally transformational.

Grace means we are not held to our worst moment or cursed by our worst decision. Grace means out of the ashes of sin, leaders can rise because the Savior has resurrection power.

Your Redeemer knows. Your Redeemer understands. Your Redeemer cares. His grace has been unleashed and its work will not be done until every last sin-broken thing has been fully and completely made new again. Be encouraged, your Redeemer is at work!

You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside. OSWALD CHAMBERS

He hasn't just forgiven us, he's taken up residence in us, and in that there is real hope. For further study and encouragement: Ephesians 2:11—22

One of the most beautiful, hopeful, and encouraging gospel themes that courses its way through Scripture is the theme of fresh starts and new beginnings. Fresh starts and new beginnings are a hallmark of the rescuing, forgiving, restoring, and transforming power of God's grace.

if you are God's child, the life force that energizes your thoughts, desires, words, and actions is no longer you; it's Christ!

God didn't just forgive you. No, he has come to live inside of you so you will have the power to desire and do what he calls you to do.

Man creates what he is.