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When our faith in God is genuine, it causes us to make choices in God's favor. We willingly take the risk of alienating those around us when we choose God's way over that of the world. That's what Moses did, as we read in Hebrews 11.

Some people claim to have faith, yet their lives show little evidence of it. Others are willing to take risks to live out their faith. Today, we focus on this kind of faith, the kind that will survive when times of testing come.

Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He waited four days before displaying His power in calling his friend from the grave. Jesus specializes in giving new life to those dead in their sins and separated from God.

Jesus used miracles to teach lessons. Perhaps His greatest lesson involved Lazarus. First, He allowed a sick friend to die. Then, He raised him from the dead to show that He is indeed "the resurrection and the life."

Our greatest fear is death, and our greatest pain is when loved ones die. A friend's death caused Jesus to weep. In a display of power and glory that shook creation, Jesus cried out, "Lazarus, come forth!"

We are all given gifts and abilities. It is not about how many we have, but how we use them that determines the outcome of our lives. Rather than complain about what we don't have, let's focus today on how to best use what we've been given.

As believers, how we use our time determines our effectiveness for God. At the end of this life, we will be judged by our deeds, deeds that took place as the clock ticked off the minutes, days, and years.

For the Christian, time is a vital, non-renewable resource. Like a coin, it can only be spent once. Why not invest the next fifteen minutes learning how to best use your time?

When running life's race, the clock is relentless. Once gone, time cannot be reclaimed. The Bible teaches believers to be "redeeming the time, for the days are evil." Time must be used wisely every day.

"For without faith it is impossible to please God...." By faith we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even death. The Christian knows that the worst life has to offer is but a steppingstone to glory.

Romans 8 contains some of the greatest words ever penned. Paul says that nothing in all creation will ever separate believers in Jesus from the love of God.

They are among the most soaring words ever penned, the Apostle Paul's conclusion to Romans chapter eight. He lists all the things that cannot separate us from the love of God. If you are treading some deep water right now, you have come to the right place.

For centuries, sins were covered temporarily by blood sacrifices in the temple. When Jesus died, those sins were taken away forever. Believers are acquitted from a sentence they should rightfully bear.

As a monk, Martin Luther would go to confession for hours at a time, trying to be sure that every sin would be forgiven. Confession is fine, but that next sin lies in wait just around the corner.

"Will the defendant please rise?" Your guilt seems sure. But then the court confirms that the sentence has been carried out by another person on your behalf. In Romans 8:33, Paul asks "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God that justifies."