1. The nefarious thing about idolatry is that just about anything can become your idol: career, family, fame, wealth, status, spouse, you name it, any good thing can become a ‘god-thing” with ease. 
  2. Maybe, just maybe, our goal for 2023 should not be to live more but to die more.
  3. All our sin and shame is answered for in the death and resurrection of our Lord.
  4. It all starts with God; and it all ends with God. He is the alpha and omega of giving and generosity.
  5. You are a child of God. You’re blameless, holy, perfect, and righteous. Don’t feel that way? Too bad. God is greater than your heart.
  6. You’re not new because of what you do. You’re new and so you do new things, even in spite of yourself, because of your sinful nature.
  7. From the beginning to the end of his letter, John really wants one thing: for us to be in Jesus.
  8. The reason that God’s commandments are not burdensome is that Jesus has fulfilled them.
  9. Both now and forever, the bruised and crucified Lord nailed to a cross is our assurance of deliverance.
  10. Every day is a Sabbath for Christians. Every day is the day the Lord has made. Every day is a day to find rest in Christ.
  11. Righteousness before God is possessed only by grace and that through the currency of faith.