Abiding in God’s Grace-His Free and Unmerited Favor

In the beginning, after God had created Adam and Eve, He loved to fellowship with them while they walked together in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve did not know about sin and evil because they were innocent and pure. God gave Adam and Eve only one commandment to obey. They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. From the beginning, God has given mankind the power of choice, and He has never revoked it.

Satan, a powerful fallen angel, deceived Eve by tempting her to eat of the fruit from the forbidden tree. He told her she could disobey God without any consequences, and that eating the fruit would give her godlike knowledge. Then Eve chose to eat and offered the fruit to her husband, and he made the same terrible mistake.

What a fatal choice! Their innocence was gone. They were guilty. Shamefully recognizing their nakedness, they tried to cover themselves with aprons of fig leaves. They became afraid of God and hid when they heard his voice. That was only the beginning of trouble. Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden of Eden and they became subject to sin and death. Even the earth was cursed because of what they had done.

Full story at GTBS

THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Do you receive whatever you ask of God in prayer? You can. Many believers don’t know that, but it’s true. Jesus Himself said so. He didn’t say it just once, either. He said it again and again. In John 14:13 He said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” In John 15:16 He said, “I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you.”

In John 16:23 He said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”

Those are startlingly clear statements. They leave no room for the traditional religious idea that sometimes God says yes to our prayers, and sometimes He says no. Jesus didn’t mention anything about God saying no to our prayers. He simply said, “Whatever you ask the Father in My Name He will give you.”

Full story at Kenneth Copeland  Ministries Africa

What does it mean to be a cheerful giver?

2 Corinthians 9:7 (CEB) 

Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.

For God loves a cheerful giver. Being a cheerful giver isn't just about money; it's also about being thankful in giving our time and service. When I think of being a cheerful giver, I think of two halves to complete a circle. The first half is thankfulness, and the second half is gratitude. This might seem like splitting hairs. Maybe you're thinking, thankful and grateful are the same thing! For me, thankfulness is in my words; gratitude is in my actions. I believe gratitude is the better part of the circle.

Men, especially, try to fill a void in our hearts, usually with some type of vice. In my personal experience, it's not until we serve others that we fill that void. Most of the time, when serving others, we don't know the full impact on those around us. I see the impact every day in Honey Dudes. Honey Dudes provides a helping hand to widows, single mothers, and wives of our brave, deployed soldiers. Whether it is simply cleaning up a yard, trimming trees or changing light bulbs, we are the helping hands of Christ in the form of volunteer men willing to offer their time to provide help. Honey Dudes started with Trietsch, but has expanded across multiple churches in the community.

By Kevin Cummings

Full story at TMUMC Org

Forgiveness is a topic of interest and study in both science and faith traditions

Global Study shows that when forgiveness is taught, practiced and achieved, it promotes better mental health and well-being and offers a groundbreaking Forgiveness Workbook in 6 different languages.

Many faith traditions place a strong emphasis on forgiveness as a central component of their teachings and practices. For example, forgiveness is a central tenet in many religious texts, such as the Bible, the Quran, and the Buddhist sutras. In these traditions, forgiveness is seen as a way to promote healing, reconciliation, and spiritual growth.

There is also evidence to suggest that faith can play a role in promoting forgiveness. For example, studies have found that individuals who have strong religious beliefs and practices are more likely to forgive others, even in difficult and challenging situations.

Full story at We are neighbors

Why the Way to Heaven Is Difficult

We live in a time when people think that getting to heaven is very easy. But Jesus said that the way is difficult. Some think it is as simple as saying a sinner’s prayer or going to church and serving God only. The more presumptuous ones believe that being a good person and following any spiritual or religious path will do. But this could not be further from the truth. Jesus said:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

The way is difficult, and the gate is narrow. 

Jesus Christ made it extremely clear that the road that leads to life is difficult, and the gate is narrow. He said that few find this way. However, as he said, the way that leads to destruction is broad and the gate wide, and many follow it. Isn’t it just always this way? What is easy is the most popular and attracts crowds. It is no different when it comes to eternal matters of life and death. Human beings are that predictable and sadly foolish. Crowds seem safe, but sadly, it is quite the opposite in actuality.

Full story at Mwend Wambaabu

Jesus with Generation Z

 

Generation Z is experiencing a significant, complex spiritual shift, with roughly 46% claiming commitment to Jesus, driven by a desire for authenticity, mental health support, and purpose, despite widespread, high-level anxiety. While many are skeptical, a notable trend shows a "Gen Z revival" seeking personal, experiential faith over traditional, abstract dogma. 

Key Trends in Gen Z and Faith

• Growing Interest & Revival: Contrary to being fully secular, many Gen Zers are returning to Christianity, with studies showing a surge in Bible engagement and a desire for "raw" or "authentic" faith.
• Mental Health Connection: For many Gen Z, faith is linked to finding hope amidst crises, with 53% curious about Jesus and many looking to faith for, or as, a remedy to mental health struggles.
• The "Jesus Generation": Some observers view Gen Z as the "tip of the spear" for a new, energetic movement of faith, even while others, as The Spectator suggests in this article, note a tendency toward a more therapeutic interpretation of scripture.
• Digital & Experiential Faith: Reaching this generation often involves digital platforms (YouTube, Instagram) and emphasizing tangible experiences of God’s presence rather than just doctrine. 

Perceptions of Jesus

• Curiosity Amidst Skepticism: While many are curious about Jesus, nearly 40% of Gen Z (including some Christians) incorrectly believe that Jesus sinned, indicating a need for deeper biblical engagement.
• Reimagining Scripture: There is a growing trend to translate biblical concepts into modern, Gen Z, or “Gen-Z-speak” terminology to make the message more relatable (e.g., viewing God as a "day-one" or "firm foundation"). 

Challenges and Opportunities

• Authentic Relationships: Gen Z values trust and transparency, making relational evangelism more effective than traditional methods.
• Addressing Misconceptions: Helping young adults understand the biblical, sinless nature of Jesus, rather than a "therapeutic" or merely human version, is a key area of focus. 
• By Olagunju, Success Taiwo (AI Search)