Can you relax in your relationships? Can you stop putting pressure on others to perform as you need them to perform? Can you simply accept what they are willing to offer, and be content? If so, this will reduce a lot of stress in your relationships.

There are some persons either unwilling or incapable of meeting your expectations. Perhaps your expectations are unreasonable. If so, lower them.

If you are in a relationship where the other person is not performing as you need, and you are unmarried, move on. Seek another relationship where the other person may be more willing or more capable of meeting your needs. If you have been married to this person for years, and they are still incapable or unwilling, then give up your expectations. You may have to find alternative ways (healthy and legitimate) for getting your needs met.

Ultimately, only God can meet deep need. He will not permit someone to come into our lives that will replace him. He loves us too much.

Do you believe you did something, when you were saved, that by your doing it, God was obligated to save you? If so, there is a distinct possibility that you have unknowingly embraced the idea of salvation by works. This theology is foreign to grace! Salvation is free. Absolutely free. No one can earn it and no one deserves it.

Salvation by grace is a fundamental tenet of Christianity. If you think you did something to save yourself, then you have no need of grace. You promote the idea that salvation is earned!

If you believe you did something that obligated God to save you, then you probably also believe you are currently doing something that is keeping yourself in a saved state before God. This, again, nullifies the need for the blood of Christ to constantly cover you.

This salvation by works theology is not in the New Testament. Paul states to New Testament Christians that they did not learn Christ this way. If there is something we do that obligates God to save us, then we are seeking to be justified by our works. We have fallen from grace.

Justification by works is a system by which we are constantly earning God’s acceptance. It leaves us feeling frustrated and guilt-ridden. It was creating by persons who have a difficult time accepting a free gift. When Jesus died on the cross he said, “It is finished.” He did all that was necessary.

We must graciously accept his payment for our sins. We must accept the idea that Christ fulfilled the law. We must accept the idea that he did enough to make us worthy to receive God’s acceptance and forgiveness. We must be willing to humbly accept a gift we cannot repay!

Christ didn’t die to make us better. He died to make us brand new!

When Jesus walked the earth, only a few persons enjoyed intimacy with him. He said that his going away would be better for them all. He said that he would send the Holy Spirit and, through the Spirit, he and the Father would take up residence in every believer!

With God’s Spirit in us, Christ continues his work on earth. Through his Spirit, he instructs, convicts, comforts, counsels and consoles. He continues to make us over, spiritually. The more we listen to him, the more we conform to his image and will. His Spirit ebbs and flows in each of us. Some of us are full of him. Some are fuller than others. Some are fullest! The distinction is easily made. It has to do with fruit.

Are you more loving and gentle? Do you experience more and more supernatural joy and peace? Are you more patient with others, tender and kind? Do you exercise more self-control in situations that formerly controlled you? These are the proper questions to determine spiritual maturity and growth.

Spiritual maturity is not measured by how many courses you completed at the local Christian University. It isn’t determined by how well you did in seminary or whether you even attended seminary! Christian maturity is determined by your ability to hear and follow Jesus Christ. It is also seen in your continued (and increasing) acts of Christian service rendered selflessly in Christian fellowship and love.

Is Christ resident in your heart, home, and relationships? Or, is he merely an occasional guest?

The news this morning is reporting a new study. Children are born being naturally altruistic. Why sacrifice ourselves for others? How did we get our conscience if not from God? Otherwise, why do we care?

There is in each person a universal feeling about right and wrong. Even the thief feels wronged when his stuff is stolen! Where does that come from?

There is a universal outrage and revulsion over the murder of innocent persons who are willfully harmed. Regardless of culture, it is viewed as an act of evil. From what is this universal sense of wrongness instilled in us? How do you explain this universal law that says premeditated murder is wrong?

The same goes for courage, dying for a just cause, love, dignity, duty and compassion. From where did this originate? Can you explain this with "survival of the fittest" thinking?

God's thoughts, personality, and attitudes are plainly known only if God chooses to reveal them. Otherwise, one can only speculate about God. But God desired that all know Him. Jesus plainly taught that God wants to be known.

Jesus’ miracles prove sufficiently what we see of God in nature. It also provides sufficient credibility for what was previously written about God in Scripture. The Old Testament accounts were given credibility as historical fact because Jesus treated them as factual!

There is an astounding consistency in Scripture. Over 40 different authors, some on separate continents, writing in three different languages. They cover diverse subject matter from different reference points in history. All is blended with phenomenal consistency to reveal a plan by God to redeem sinful mankind.

In the major world religions, we discover that Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and Moses all identify themselves as teachers or prophets. None claimed equality to God. Enter Jesus. This claim set Jesus apart from all the rest. He said,

"I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus claimed attributes solely belonging to God. He forgave sin. He freed persons from the habit of sin. He distributed abundant life and promised eternal life. Prophets and teachers focused others on their words. Jesus pointed all to himself. He exclaimed,

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus healed the blind, crippled, deaf, and raised a couple of persons from the dead. He created food from thin air to feed thousands. He walked on top of a lake. He commanded a raging storm to stop and it obeyed. Everyone followed Jesus. He met their needs. He asked them to not accept only his words but to believe by observing his miracles and good deeds. He proved God was gentle, loving, aware of our self-centeredness and shortcomings, desiring of a deep relationship with every person. Jesus received our punishment. His stripes heal us.

Jesus’ most convincing proof was his most scrutinized miracle - his resurrection from death. All other claims by Jesus matter none if the resurrection account is false. If you wish to disprove Jesus, disprove his resurrection. On the third day, the almost two-ton boulder is catapulted up a slope, by divine hands. The guards are well-trained Roman soldiers. They testify to a blinding light and an angel. The tomb is empty, except for his burial clothes. Over the years, legal, historical and logical analysis has been applied to Jesus' resurrection and the most feasible conclusion still is that Jesus raised himself from death.

Does God exist? If you want to know, investigate Jesus Christ. Look at all the facts. Draw your own conclusion. If you have already made up your mind, then there is little I can say to convince you regardless of the amount or quality of proof I offer. If you have not, please consider these things. That’s all I ask.

There is sufficient proof in nature and Scripture for reasonable faith.

We were in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. We rented a motel room and went out for dinner. They seated us next to a large group. While waiting for other employees to arrive, this group was listening intently to a young man testify concerning his amazing spiritual gift. We were close enough to hear everything.

After our meal, I stopped by his table. I explained that I couldn’t help but overhear and would love to hear more of his testimony. He stated that it would be late when he finished. I handed him a napkin with our room number on it and told him that it didn’t matter. I wanted to hear his story.

My wife fell asleep across the bed while we waited. He arrived quite late. We visited much of the night away. He had a fascinating story. His father was a Christian preacher. He rebelled against the church as a youth. He moved to California and joined the church of Satan. He was there until one night when Satan showed up at one of the meetings! It frightened him so that he immediately quit the church and fled California. He returned to Texas and his faith in the Lord. The Lord blessed him with a great spiritual gift and a powerful testimony.

I stated that I appreciated him witnessing to his fellow employees. I stated that I was also disappointed. Not once did I hear him mention Jesus or the gospel. I explained that Satan still was controlling him. That Satan had gotten him off the message of Jesus and onto preaching himself, his gift. He was immediately convicted by the Spirit. He acknowledged that what I spoke was truth. He began to weep and repent. He asked me to pray for him that he might stay focused on Jesus. I did. He left rejoicing and thanked me over and over for setting him back on the path. He promised to keep in touch. I never heard from him again.

The gospel is God's power to save. If you preach anything else, Satan is pleased. Satan is pleased with church and bible classes. They are no threat to him. Christ crucified, resurrected and enthroned is a message of defeat for Satan. His power is death! We preach life! The message of salvation is in the preaching of the cross.

It’s not about us. It’s not about church. It’s not about spiritual gifts. It’s about Christ crucified and raised from the dead! Don’t let ANYONE get you off the message that changes lives, saves relationships and redeems the souls of men.

The tomb is still empty!