Strength for Today

How Did the Old Testament Point to Christ? | March 15 Did you know that the Old Testament was always pointing to Jesus Christ? The sacrifices, prophecies, and ordinances weren't just historical rituals—they were shadows of the greater reality to come. In today's episode of Strength for Today, we explore Deuteronomy 5:8-10 and Westminster Confession 7.5 to see how God's covenant was revealed throug...

What Did Jesus' Death Accomplish in the Covenant? | March 14 What did Jesus' death truly accomplish? Hebrews 9:15-22 reveals that Christ's blood seals the New Covenant, securing an eternal inheritance for all who trust in Him. His sacrifice was not just symbolic—it was the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In today's Strength for Today devotional, we explore how Jesus' death ratified the coven...

How Does God Offer Grace to Sinners? | March 13 How does God offer grace to sinners? John 3:16-21 reveals the heart of the gospel—God freely provides a Mediator, Jesus Christ, and offers salvation through faith in Him. In today's Strength for Today devotional, we explore the beauty of the Covenant of Grace, showing how God's mercy is extended to all who believe in Christ. This episode unpacks John...

Who is the Covenant With? | March 12 Who is the covenant of grace made with? The Bible teaches that the covenant of grace was established with Christ as the second Adam, securing salvation for His people. In today's Strength for Today devotional, we explore Isaiah 53:10-12 and Westminster Larger Catechism Question 31 to understand how Jesus fulfilled this covenant and what it means for us today. I...

Does God Leave Anyone Without Hope? | March 11 Does God leave anyone to perish without hope? In Acts 13:44-49, we see the power of God's sovereign grace as He calls His people to salvation. The Westminster Catechism affirms that God, in His mercy, delivers His elect from sin and brings them into the Covenant of Grace. But what does that mean for us today? In this episode of Strength for Today, we...

If Adam Failed, How Can We Be Saved? | March 10 If Adam failed to keep God's covenant, is there any hope for us? The Bible reveals that after Adam's disobedience, God established the Covenant of Grace, offering salvation through Jesus Christ. In today's episode of Strength for Today, we consider John 6:37-45 and Westminster Confession of Faith 7.3 to understand how God freely offers eternal life t...

What Was Required of Adam in the First Covenant? | March 9 Did God require anything of Adam in the first covenant? Genesis 2:15-17 reveals that God established a Covenant of Works, in which Adam was required to obey perfectly. His obedience would lead to life, but disobedience would bring death. What does this mean for us today? In this episode of Strength for Today, Pastor John Blevins of Christ...

What Was God's First Covenant with Man? | March 8 Did you know that God made a covenant with Adam in the Garden of Eden? This covenant, often called the Covenant of Life or the Covenant of Works, was a foundational moment in human history. In today's episode of Strength for Today, we explore Genesis 2:7-9 and the Westminster Catechism to understand how God set conditions for life, blessing, and ob...

Why Does God Make Covenants with Us? | March 7 God is infinitely above us, high and exalted beyond all creation. Yet, in His mercy, He stoops down to establish a covenant relationship with us. Without His condescension, we could never know Him as our blessedness and reward. In today's episode of Strength for Today, Pastor John Blevins explores Psalm 113:1-9 and Westminster Confession of Faith 7.1,...

What Is the Eternal Punishment for Sin? | March 6 What happens after death for those whose sins have not been forgiven by God in Jesus Christ? 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 gives us a sobering answer—eternal separation from God and everlasting destruction. In today's episode of Strength for Today, Pastor John Blevins of Christ Church Presbyterian in Knoxville, TN, explores the reality of sin's eternal co...

What Are the Consequences of Sin in This Life? | March 5 Romans 1:16-32 reveals that sin darkens the mind, corrupts relationships, and leads to spiritual blindness. It is not just an abstract theological idea but a devastating reality that affects every aspect of life. In today's Strength for Today devotional, Pastor John Blevins walks through this passage, explaining how sin brings God's judgment...

Did God Know Adam Would Sin? | March 4 If God is sovereign, was Adam's fall a surprise? Or was it part of His eternal plan? In today's episode of Strength for Today, we explore Genesis 3:1-13, where we see the moment sin entered the world. But was this fall outside of God's control? The Westminster Larger Catechism (Q. 27) helps us understand the consequences of Adam's sin—separation from God, bon...

What Does Every Sin Deserve? | March 3 Is sin really that serious? 1 John 3:4 tells us, "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." Every sin—big or small—violates God's perfect law and brings guilt upon the sinner. But what does that mean for us? And how does the gospel bring hope? In today's Strength for Today, Pastor John Blevins of Christ Church P...

How Does Sin Pass From Generation to Generation? | March 2 Sin isn't just about bad choices—it's something we inherit. But how does sin pass from one generation to the next? Romans 6:23 and the Westminster Larger Catechism reveal the truth about original sin and why we are all born in need of redemption. In today's episode, Pastor John Blevins of Christ Church Presbyterian in Knoxville, TN, explor...

If I'm Saved, Why Do I Still Struggle With Sin? | March 1 Many believers wrestle with the reality of ongoing sin in their lives. If we are saved, why do we still struggle? 1 John 1:8-10 reminds us that while sin remains, God's grace abounds. Through confession, we are cleansed and renewed by His mercy. In today's episode of Strength for Today, Pastor John Blevins of Christ Church Presbyterian in K...

Why Is Sin So Pervasive? | February 28 Genesis 6:5 paints a striking picture of humanity's fallen condition—"every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Sin isn't just about bad choices; it's a deep corruption that affects every aspect of life. But why is sin so pervasive? And what hope do we have in the face of such darkness? In today's Strength for Today devotional,...

Where Does Evil Come From? | February 27 Is evil just a result of bad influences, or does it come from somewhere deeper? In Matthew 15:10-20, Jesus teaches that sin flows from the heart, not just external factors. This truth dismantles the idea that people are naturally good and points us to our need for God's grace to change us from the inside out. In this episode of Strength for Today, Pastor Jo...

Are People Naturally Good? | February 26 Many believe that deep down, people are naturally good—but is that what the Bible says? Romans 3:9-26 shatters this idea, declaring that "None is righteous, no, not one… no one seeks for God." Sin isn't just bad behavior—it's a deep spiritual problem that affects every part of our being. In today's episode of Strength for Today, Pastor John Blevins of Chris...

Did Adam's Sin Affect Us? | February 25 Romans 5:12-21 reveals a hard truth—Adam's sin didn't just affect him; it affected all of us. Because of his disobedience, sin and death spread to all humanity. But here's the good news: Just as one man's sin brought condemnation, one Man's righteousness—Jesus Christ—brings justification and life. In today's episode, Pastor John Blevins of Christ Church Pres...

Are We Born Innocent or Guilty? | February 24 Are humans born naturally good, or do we inherit a sinful nature from birth? Psalm 51:5 declares, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." This passage confronts one of the most important theological questions: Are we innocent at birth, or do we enter the world already in need of God's grace? In today's episode o...

What Happened to Humanity After the Fall? | February 23 Ephesians 2:1-3 reveals the devastating reality—sin didn't just wound us, it killed us. We were dead in our trespasses, enslaved to worldly desires, and under the influence of Satan. The Fall left humanity spiritually lifeless, separated from God, and deserving of His wrath. But here's the good news: God makes the dead alive. Through Christ,...

Was Eating the Fruit Really That Big of a Deal? | February 22 Genesis 3:6 wasn't just about eating a piece of fruit—it was an act of rebellion against God that changed the course of history. Adam and Eve's sin was a rejection of God's authority, a grasping for self-rule, and the entrance of death into the world. In today's episode of Strength for Today, Pastor John Blevins of Christ Church Presbyt...

What Exactly Is Sin? | February 21 Is sin just making mistakes, or is it something deeper? 1 John 3:4 tells us that sin is lawlessness—not merely bad behavior, but rebellion against God's holy standard. Today on Strength for Today, we explore what sin truly is and why understanding it is crucial for grasping our need for salvation in Christ. Key Verse: 1 John 3:4 Theology Focus: Westminster Larger...

How Does Satan Deceive? | February 20 The Bible warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent, we too can be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. But how does Satan deceive? And how can we stand firm in truth? In today's episode of Strength for Today: The tactics of Satan and how he leads people away from Christ What happened in the Garden of Eden an...

Where Did Sin Begin? | February 19 Sin didn't start randomly—it entered the world through deception and disobedience in the Garden of Eden. In today's episode, we consider Genesis 3, exploring the moment when Adam and Eve fell, how it altered human history, and what it means for us today. We'll also look at Westminster Confession of Faith 6.1, which helps us understand how God, in His wisdom, perm...