We’re all searching for righteousness. We all strive to feel good about ourselves. We all hope that by doing the right things, we’ll be good people. Do you know what Jesus says? “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Those are shocking words! Unless you are more righteous than the most righteous people around, you won’t enter heaven. Ouch! How could we ever make it to heaven? Only by realizing this: True righteousness doesn’t come from us and our works. True righteousness comes through faith in Jesus. Our goodness doesn’t depend on us. It depends on Jesus and his salvation. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “True Righteousness.” Jesus loves you!

Is faith just saying the right words? Faith is at the heart of Christianity. We’re saved by faith! Is it just a matter of knowing the right words to say?The Bible says, “No!” Faith isn’t just knowing the right words to say. Faith is trusting in Jesus in our hearts: “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about faith and be encouraged by God’s Word to trust in Jesus in your heart.Jesus loves you!

Do you know what type of people Jesus chose to be his first disciples? Fishermen. Jesus could have chosen anyone from any occupation, but he chose fishermen to be his first disciples. Jesus explained why: “From now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:10). Becoming Jesus’ disciples didn’t actually change their occupation. They were still fishermen. Instead of fishing for fish, however, they were now going to fish for people. That’s what Jesus calls all of us to do: Fish for people. Like a fisherman casts out his line over and over again, never knowing which cast will result in a fish, Jesus calls on Christians to cast out God’s Word over and over again, never knowing when God will use his Word to miraculously change hearts and lives. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Let Down Your Nets.” Jesus loves you!

Does God have a plan for me? That’s a heartfelt question. We sometimes have days filled with doubts and guilt and emptiness. Does God have a plan for me?The answer is, “Yes!” God’s promise to his people long ago is also true for you and me: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about God’s plans for his people in the past and God’s plans for you right now. Jesus loves you!

Is it a sin to get angry? You get angry sometimes. All of us do. Is it wrong to get angry?While there is such a thing as righteous anger, the Bible gives us this encouragement about our anger: “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about God’s righteous anger and God’s encouragement to you and me to learn to forgive.God bless your day!

What’s the focus of Christianity? It can seem like different Christian churches and Christian pastors focus on very different things. What’s the true focus of Christianity?The Bible tells us exactly what Jesus came to do: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about the true focus of Christianity: Jesus came to save us from our sins!Jesus loves you!

“Be merciful, as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36-42). Every day, you have dozens of chances to show mercy… or not. Every day is filled with opportunities to lash out and be impatient or to smile and forgive. When you have experienced the amazing grace of God in Christ, it does something to you. It makes your heart softer. Humbler. Confident. I hope you can listen to this sermon about God’s mercy and its impact on us and our relationships with others: “Be Merciful.” Jesus loves you!

When does life begin? There’s a lot of debate about that in our society today. Does the Bible actually say when a human being becomes a human being?

Yes, it does! Already 3,000 years ago, David recognized when God’s gift of life begins. He wrote: “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).

I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about how God has cared for you from the moment you were conceived.

God bless you!