Isaiah

Hate or Regret?

July 6, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

When it comes to sin and evil, are they something you hate or regret? The difference is not wordplay or subtlety. It’s one thing to feel bad about disobeying God and quite another to be repulsed at the thought of ever doing so. Our sin is the reason Jesus had to suffer and die in our place as an atoning sacrifice. (Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 3:18) To come to a place of repentance requires more from us than just regretting Jesus had to go through that.

He doesn’t need you to feel bad for Him. What Jesus desires is that you recognize your need for His sacrifice. (Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32) The Lord cannot tolerate sin (Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 5:4-5) and as we are called to look and act like Him (Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 2:6), we too must hate every sin and every form of wickedness. (Romans 12:9; Psalm 97:10)

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Never Doubt the Power of Jesus

June 25, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

Never doubt the power of Jesus. Scripture is replete with descriptions of His authority and power. You would have to be a fool to deny it. But we’ve all proven our propensity for being fools time and again. For unbelievers, God’s power should cause feelings of terror such as they have never known. His wrath is beyond their greatest fear and most horrific imagination. It is indeed a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

For those of us who are His, His power should be a constant comfort as we realize no problem is too big for Him to solve. (Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 1:37) No situation is too great for Him to rescue us from. The power of Christ is unlimited and unstoppable. (Psalm 115:3; Matthew 19:26)

The Beauty of the Gospel

June 22, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

Does the gospel still fascinate and overwhelm you? Do you still marvel at the outrageous generosity of God in selecting you to be one of the chosen few? (Ephesians 1:4-5; John 15:16) Or, as time has gone by, have you grown cold and indifferent to the beauty of the gospel? When we first awaken to the truth of God’s love and sacrifice, it’s almost impossible to keep it to ourselves.

We want to share the truth of Jesus with everyone we meet. But then comes the rejection and the ridicule. It seems not everyone is so excited to hear about Christ. Our love for Him does not fade, but many times our zeal does. (Revelation 2:4-5; Romans 12:11) Sharing Jesus becomes an afterthought and the gospel something we came to accept but no longer think about.

Come to Christ to Die

June 18, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

While it seems most people reject Christ, those same people would also jump at the chance to get everything He offers. They want the benefits without the sacrifice. Who wouldn’t want that deal? The deal Jesus offers is better by far, but on the surface, it doesn’t look like it is. As with many things in life, looks can be deceiving.

The people of this world want peace, happiness, and wealth without surrendering their selfish desires. Jesus promises rest, joy, and an eternity in paradise, but He does require that you first surrender everything to Him. (Luke 14:33; Matthew 16:24) So, don’t come to Christ for what He will do for you. Come to Christ to die. (Galatians 2:19-20; Luke 9:23)

Jesus First

May 28, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

We who call ourselves Christians espouse putting Jesus first in our lives. It’s not that we are trying to be deceptive, but how true is that statement for most of us? When I was a younger boy, my father wore a pin on his suit jacket that said, “Jesus First.” I recall they were popular in church circles in the late 70s and early 80s.

I also remember being thrilled when my dad gave me a pin of my own. It became part of my Sunday wardrobe and even sometimes when I would go to school. Wearing something like that can make one more mindful of their conduct, but ultimately it does nothing to make it true in our lives. Only our actions can do that.

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