Christian - forgiven - grateful

Welcome to my blog. I’m Richard Templin Hancock, an 82-year-old follower of Jesus who has found peace and rest in the forgiveness that Jesus offers to sinners. Whether through the written word or my devotional podcasts, I’m here to share the hope found in the Gospel and to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. I'm glad you're here—let's walk this path together.
I hope you find these blog posts helpful. May they be a source of encouragement to you as you walk with Jesus. If you find something that is helpful, please consider sharing it with a friend who might need it too.

The Throne Of Grace

This is Follow Jesus Radio, encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: The Throne of Grace.

In Hebrews chapter 4, verses 14 through 16, the Bible gives us an incredible promise: "Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need."

Sometimes we think of God as distant, sitting on a throne of judgment and waiting for us to get our lives together before we dare to speak to Him. But Hebrews tells us that Jesus isn’t just watching from a distance. He is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." He has been tired, He has been betrayed, and He has felt the weight of this world. Yet He without sin. He knows exactly what it feels like to be you.

This is a present-tense reality. Jesus is here right now to help with the very things weighing on your heart today.

Perhaps you are struggling with anger. Maybe someone has deeply hurt you, and that fire of resentment is burning in your chest. You don’t have to hide that from Him or fix it before you pray. Bring that anger directly to the throne of grace; He has the mercy you need to find a way through it.

Or maybe you are facing a medical diagnosis or a scary operation. The fear over your health can feel like a heavy cloud. Remember: Jesus isn't asking you to "just have more faith" from the sidelines—He is standing right there in the doctor’s office and the waiting room with you. He is the Great Physician who understands our frailty and is ready to provide grace for this exact moment of need.

Whatever you are carrying, don't shrink back. Draw near to Him with boldness today.

Lord, thank You that Your throne is one of grace, not condemnation. We bring our anger, our health fears, and our deepest needs to You right now. Help us to hold tightly to You, knowing You are holding tightly to us. Amen.

Remember, the throne of grace is open to all. If you need salvation then go to Jesus on the throne of grace. Seek His forgiveness. If you know Jeus then rejoice the throne of grace is open to you right now!

That's it for this podcast. Follow Jesus Radio is here 24 hours a day to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.

A Deeper Fear Of The Lord

This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: A Deeper Fear Of The Lord.

In Malachi 3:16, we see a beautiful picture of God’s attentiveness to those who revere Him. "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said." This verse reminds us that our conversations about God and our faith matter. When we gather with others who share our reverence for the Lord, He is present, listening intently to our words.

The verse continues, "In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him." This scroll symbolizes God's acknowledgment of our faithfulness and devotion. It reassures us that God takes notice of those who seek Him earnestly and honor His name.

As we reflect on this, let’s consider how we can cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in our lives. Are we speaking about Him with others? Are we honoring His name in our conversations? Remember, God is listening, and He cherishes those who seek Him. Let’s strive to be among those whose names are remembered in His presence, living lives that reflect our love and reverence for Him. 

Let’s pray: Lord, help us to honor Your name in our conversations and to seek You with all our hearts. Amen.

That's it for this podcast. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.

The Simple Joy of the Good News

This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: The Simple Joy of the Good News.

Matthew 28:18-20  Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Sometimes we think that sharing the Gospel or evangelism requires a theology degree or a perfectly polished speech. We worry about having all the answers to complex questions or saying exactly the right thing.

But the Great Commission isn't about our complexity; it’s about Jesus’ authority. He starts by saying, "All authority has been given to me." The power is His. We are simply the messengers.

The Good News is actually quite simple: First, Jesus is alive. He conquered death and is present with us today. Second, Jesus forgives. No matter what someone has done, there is a clean slate available through Him.

You don’t need to be a salesperson or a debater. You just need to be a witness. Think of it like finding a great restaurant or a life-changing piece of news—you naturally want to tell the people you care about. Sharing Jesus is simply telling others where you found life and hope.

Today, look for a small opening. It might be a friend who is stressed, a neighbor who is lonely, or a coworker who feels guilty. You don't need a sermon; you just need a sentence: "I've found so much peace knowing Jesus is with me and that He forgives."

Let's pray together. Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of forgiveness and the hope of Your resurrection. Take away my fear of saying the wrong thing. Help me to remember that You have all authority and that You are with me. Open my eyes to someone today who needs to hear the simple truth that You love them, You are alive, and You save. Amen.

As you go about your day, I want to leave you with a reflection question: Who is one person in my life right now who needs to hear that they are forgiven and loved by a living Savior?

That's it for this podcast. Follow Jesus Radio is here 24 hours a day to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.

You Are the Father's Gift to the Son

This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: "You Are the Father's Gift to the Son."

Our focus today is on two powerful verses from the Gospel of John. Chapter 6, verse 37 says: "All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out." And just a moment later, in verse 39, Jesus says: "This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day."

In the human experience, gifts are often fragile. We lose them, we break them, or sometimes we simply grow tired of them and give them away. But in the economy of Heaven, there is a transaction taking place that is founded on eternal strength and infinite love.

Jesus reveals a profound truth in these verses: You are a gift from the Heavenly Father to His Son.

Think about the weight of that statement. You did not simply "stumble" into faith by your own cleverness or merit. The Father, in His sovereign love, entrusted you to Jesus. Because you are a gift from the Father, Jesus views you with a protective intensity that we can hardly imagine.

In verse 37, Jesus gives us a double-sided promise of security. First, He says that everyone the Father gives Him will come. There is no doubt. Second, He promises that once you arrive, He will "in no way" throw you out. In the original Greek, this is a "double negative"—the strongest possible way to say "Never! Not under any circumstances!"

Then, in verse 39, Jesus raises the stakes. He explains that His primary mission—the very "will of the Father"—is to ensure that He loses nothing. Your salvation does not rest on your ability to hold onto Jesus; it rests on Jesus's power to hold onto you.

If you feel weak today, or if you feel like you are barely hanging on, remember this: Jesus is not going to fail His Father. He has been commissioned to keep you, to guard you, and to raise you up on the last day. You are not a burden to Him; you are His prized possession, given to Him by the One He loves most.

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, I am humbled by the realization that You have given me to Your Son. Thank You for the security that comes from belonging to Jesus. Lord Jesus, thank You for promising never to cast me out and for Your commitment to never lose me. When I feel anxious about my future or my failures, remind me that I am held by Your capable hands. Help me to live today in the joy and freedom of being Your cherished gift. Amen.

Today, whenever you feel a sense of doubt or insecurity, whisper these words to yourself: "I am the Father's gift to the Son, and He will not lose me." Let that truth settle your heart.

That’s it for this podcast. Follow Jesus Radio is here 24 hours a day to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.