Don't Settle for a Counterfeit
Let’s listen to God’s Word in 2 Corinthians 11:4:
“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” — 2 Corinthians 11:4 (NKJV)
As I read this passage, I’m reminded of how important it is that we know the real Jesus and the truth of His Word.
Paul warned the church about false teachers who were presenting another Jesus and another gospel. And that warning is still important for us today.
There are many voices talking about Jesus, but not every message about Jesus is the truth. Some present a Jesus who never confronts sin. Others preach blessings without repentance, or salvation without following Christ.
We have to be careful not to settle for a counterfeit.
The real Jesus is the eternal Son of God who came into this world, died for our sins, rose from the grave, and calls us to repent, believe in Him, and follow Him.
The true gospel is the good news that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
So, how do we recognize what is true?
We compare everything we hear with God’s Word. Test the sermons, books, podcasts, and teachings we listen to against the truth of Scripture.
May you find joy in following the real Jesus—the One who loves you so much that He came to earth to show us the way of God and take the punishment for your sins. Be blessed as you look to Him right now.
Richard Templin Hancock
Encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily.
Christian - forgiven - grateful
Welcome. My name is Richard Templin Hancock and I’m here 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.
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Ready for the Master's Return
Ready for the Master's Return
Luke 12:35 NKJV
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning.”
Ready for the Master’s Return.
In Jesus’ day, people would gather up their long robes and fasten them with a belt before working, traveling, or preparing for battle. It was a picture of being ready. A burning lamp represented someone who was watching, alert, and expecting someone to arrive.
Jesus is calling us to live with that same attitude today.
As followers of Jesus, we are not to drift through life spiritually asleep or become distracted by the things of this world. We are called to be ready—faithfully serving Jesus, walking in obedience to His Word, loving others, and keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Every day God gives us is another opportunity to live for Jesus. We can encourage someone who is hurting, share the Good News of the Gospel, show the love of Christ, and faithfully use the gifts God has entrusted to us.
We don't know the day or hour when Jesus will return, but we know He is coming again.
When the Master returns, may He find us faithfully following Him.
So today, let's keep our heart prepared, our faith strong, and our hope fixed on Christ.
The Master is coming, and what a joyful day that will be for those who are ready!
Luke 12:35 NKJV
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning.”
Ready for the Master’s Return.
In Jesus’ day, people would gather up their long robes and fasten them with a belt before working, traveling, or preparing for battle. It was a picture of being ready. A burning lamp represented someone who was watching, alert, and expecting someone to arrive.
Jesus is calling us to live with that same attitude today.
As followers of Jesus, we are not to drift through life spiritually asleep or become distracted by the things of this world. We are called to be ready—faithfully serving Jesus, walking in obedience to His Word, loving others, and keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Every day God gives us is another opportunity to live for Jesus. We can encourage someone who is hurting, share the Good News of the Gospel, show the love of Christ, and faithfully use the gifts God has entrusted to us.
We don't know the day or hour when Jesus will return, but we know He is coming again.
When the Master returns, may He find us faithfully following Him.
So today, let's keep our heart prepared, our faith strong, and our hope fixed on Christ.
The Master is coming, and what a joyful day that will be for those who are ready!
He Restores Your Heart
He Restores Your Heart
Let's listen to God's Word in Deuteronomy:
"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live."
— Deuteronomy 30:6 (KJV)
When we realize we've let sin creep in and feel that broken fellowship with God, there is a way back.
When God gave this message to His people, they were in a season of deep spiritual drift. Yet, the Lord didn't abandon them. Instead, He promised to bring them back, restore them, and perform a spiritual miracle. He promised to circumcise their hearts.
That is the ultimate spiritual heart surgery.
In our own strength, we cannot fix our own pride, our stubbornness, or our cold attitudes. Outward rules and religious performance can never change who we are on the inside. But when we call out to Jesus, He does the deep, inward work that we could never do for ourselves. He cuts away our spiritual hardness, softens us with His grace, and fills us with a genuine, burning love for Him.
Let's call out to our Savior for this heart surgery today. Let's believe that He will do exactly what He promised, and let's walk fresh and anew with our God today.
Let's listen to God's Word in Deuteronomy:
"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live."
— Deuteronomy 30:6 (KJV)
When we realize we've let sin creep in and feel that broken fellowship with God, there is a way back.
When God gave this message to His people, they were in a season of deep spiritual drift. Yet, the Lord didn't abandon them. Instead, He promised to bring them back, restore them, and perform a spiritual miracle. He promised to circumcise their hearts.
That is the ultimate spiritual heart surgery.
In our own strength, we cannot fix our own pride, our stubbornness, or our cold attitudes. Outward rules and religious performance can never change who we are on the inside. But when we call out to Jesus, He does the deep, inward work that we could never do for ourselves. He cuts away our spiritual hardness, softens us with His grace, and fills us with a genuine, burning love for Him.
Let's call out to our Savior for this heart surgery today. Let's believe that He will do exactly what He promised, and let's walk fresh and anew with our God today.
No One Is Beyond God’s Mercy
No One Is Beyond God’s Mercy
I was reading in Acts 8:3:
“But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragging both men and women off to prison.”
What a journey the Apostle Paul had! He went from being a persecutor of Christians to becoming an apostle of Christ after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
This reminds me of a wonderful truth: No one is beyond God’s mercy.
No matter how bleak a person’s life may seem, no matter how far down they may have fallen, and no matter how deeply they have sinned against God, there is hope. There is hope for the mercy and forgiveness of God for all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.
If you feel that you are too far gone and beyond God’s help, I have wonderful news for you: God is waiting for you to come to Him for forgiveness and cleansing.
We are told in Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Don’t delay. Jesus paid the penalty for your sins. Cry out to Him. Seek His forgiveness, His mercy, and His help. Realize that only Jesus and His sacrifice for your sins can make you right with God. Put the full weight of your faith on Jesus being the only sacrifice God will accept.
No one is beyond God’s mercy. That means you.
Jesus is speaking to you right now. Listen to His words recorded in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus is calling you to come to Him. Whatever you have done, wherever you have been, and however far you may feel you have fallen, turn from your sin and come to Jesus.
There is mercy at the cross. There is forgiveness in Christ. There is hope for your life.
No one is beyond God’s mercy. That means you.
I was reading in Acts 8:3:
“But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragging both men and women off to prison.”
What a journey the Apostle Paul had! He went from being a persecutor of Christians to becoming an apostle of Christ after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
This reminds me of a wonderful truth: No one is beyond God’s mercy.
No matter how bleak a person’s life may seem, no matter how far down they may have fallen, and no matter how deeply they have sinned against God, there is hope. There is hope for the mercy and forgiveness of God for all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.
If you feel that you are too far gone and beyond God’s help, I have wonderful news for you: God is waiting for you to come to Him for forgiveness and cleansing.
We are told in Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Don’t delay. Jesus paid the penalty for your sins. Cry out to Him. Seek His forgiveness, His mercy, and His help. Realize that only Jesus and His sacrifice for your sins can make you right with God. Put the full weight of your faith on Jesus being the only sacrifice God will accept.
No one is beyond God’s mercy. That means you.
Jesus is speaking to you right now. Listen to His words recorded in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus is calling you to come to Him. Whatever you have done, wherever you have been, and however far you may feel you have fallen, turn from your sin and come to Jesus.
There is mercy at the cross. There is forgiveness in Christ. There is hope for your life.
No one is beyond God’s mercy. That means you.
The Word of Christ in You
The Word of Christ in You
Colossians 3:16 ESV
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Has the Word of Jesus entered your mind today? Has His message reached your soul? Does His Word—His teachings as revealed in the Bible—fill your heart as you meditate on His Word?
As water flows down a mountainside, the Word of Jesus the Messiah flows into our hearts even today, thousands of years after Jesus originally spoke these words. Like a refreshing waterfall, His Word brings the refreshment and nourishment our hearts long for.
Why look elsewhere?
At this very moment, around the world, faithful followers of Jesus are thinking about Him. You are not alone in your spiritual journey.
Jesus is our journey. He is our life. He is our reason for being.
Let us take a moment today to look to Jesus and allow His words to fill our hearts to overflowing.
Romans 10:17 ESV
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Today, let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Let His teachings fill your mind, strengthen your faith, and refresh your soul.
Look to Jesus. Listen to His Word. And let His Word live richly within you.
Colossians 3:16 ESV
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Has the Word of Jesus entered your mind today? Has His message reached your soul? Does His Word—His teachings as revealed in the Bible—fill your heart as you meditate on His Word?
As water flows down a mountainside, the Word of Jesus the Messiah flows into our hearts even today, thousands of years after Jesus originally spoke these words. Like a refreshing waterfall, His Word brings the refreshment and nourishment our hearts long for.
Why look elsewhere?
At this very moment, around the world, faithful followers of Jesus are thinking about Him. You are not alone in your spiritual journey.
Jesus is our journey. He is our life. He is our reason for being.
Let us take a moment today to look to Jesus and allow His words to fill our hearts to overflowing.
Romans 10:17 ESV
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Today, let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Let His teachings fill your mind, strengthen your faith, and refresh your soul.
Look to Jesus. Listen to His Word. And let His Word live richly within you.
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