Is receiving the grace of Christ an amazing race or amazing grace? It is a relief to know it does not require to be the winner of the amazing race to receive the grace of Christ. There is nothing we can do to earn the grace of Christ. It is the amazing gift from God; it is amazing grace. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when…
This week my heart’s been crying out for all the people who are looking for happiness in all the wrong places. How people are so lost and they don’t have any idea where to find what they’ve been looking for all their lives. This is nothing new under the sun. When you read through the Bible you realize that people were acting exactly the same way thousands of years ago. Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the…
Happy Melodic Monday! It’s the first Melodic Monday of 2011 and I decided to start the year with a passionate song that states, claims, and rejoices who we are: Children of God by Third Day. Listen and join the people singing and praising our amazing Father! Praise to the Father of our Lord, Jesus ChristOur God and our King, to Him we will singIn His great mercy, He has given us lifeNow we can be called the children of GodGreat…
Did you make resolutions for 2011? I did not. Or, at least, I think they’re not resolutions but goals to more fully embrace the promises of God. You see, we just come from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ that was so wonderfully promised in the Old Testament. (Just see Isaiah 9:1-7.) I am fully convinced that everything else God has promised to us will happen in God’s time. So I am boldly stepping into 2011 trusting God to take…
I find the best description of reflection in Psalm 1: How well God must like you— you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College. Instead you thrill to God‘s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2 MSG) Chewing means thinking deeply about. If you think of a dog chewing on a bone you get the right idea about how we should chew on God’s word. Meditation…
Happy Melodic Monday, everybody! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! In the spirit of Christmas joy I post today I will Follow Him from the Sister Act movie. Let’s keep on holding on the joy of the Lord each and every day. Let’s follow Him with gladness and joy! I will follow Him,Follow Him wherever He may go,And near Him, I always will beFor nothing can keep me away,He is my destiny. I will follow Him,Ever since He touched…
The second day of Christmas is a national holiday in Finland and many other European countries. This day is a good day to reflect what Christmas means in our everyday life. It was great to celebrate baby Jesus and welcome him to the world. But what does it mean to us that Jesus was born 2000 years ago? It is time to put Christmas into practice! It is time to put our faith into action! The fact that God chose…
Far, far away in Siberia lived a good but poor king. He had always been told that when the Highest King would be born a star would proclaim his birth. As the poor king saw the star of Bethlehem, he knew right away that now the Highest King had been born. He chose the best things his country could offer: pearls, linen, fur, and honey to be his gifts to this new king and started his journey on his horse….
It’s the fourth Advent Melodic Monday! Today’s song Immanuel has been written and is performed by Dave Hershey. It’s based on Isaiah 7:14: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. What a wonderful prophecy fulfilled in Jesus! May this song bless you as you prepare your heart to celebrate Christmas! Gabriel sent from GOD to a girl in Nazareth Favored ONE the LORD…
It’s not a trick question. But by answering it you will realize whether your life has the right perspective or not. What is most important today? It’s not finishing your Christmas shopping. It’s not clearing your to-do list (even if it is full of good and holy deeds). It’s not championing your life, either. The most important thing is to abide in God and feel his loving presence. God loves you and you need to abide in Him. If you…
