and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

so they too have now disobeyed, in order that they too may now receive mercy through the mercy shown to you.

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison

who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.

He told me I could go on being a lost sinner, living my life as I chose, ignoring the offer of eternal life and the peace that only God could give me. But, he told me, You will literally have to step over the broken, bleeding, nail-pierced body of Jesus in order to enter the gates of hell.

I mean we all need a second chance sometimes.

Death reveals that the world is not as it should be but that it stands in need of redemption. Christ alone is the conquering of death.

I found peace through God but not until I had driven myself to the edge.

Without the miracles we should have a teacher; with the miracles we have a Savior.

God loved me so much He sent His Son to take away the sins of the world. That's a heart that scales any mountain. Kicks down any doors. Relentlessly pursues us down darkened alleyways. God will do anything to reach me with His love - including sending His only beloved Son to the cross and raising Him to life again. Thanks to Jesus, I am a new creation. Eve didn't know what we know. She did not know how far God would go. But we do.