Does God surprise you often? I do get surprised. Time after time. I already expect to be surprised by God. Because I know God is wild and is not tied down to physical realities. Sure, God is faithful and does what he has promised. But his methods are surprising and timing is secret, so we can count on being surprised by God. He is not limited to what is possible. He will do what he wants. And for that I…
Brokenness is something we often despise. But it brings more blessings than we can imagine. We tend to think brokenness means uselessness. But in God’s kingdom it is exactly the opposite. Brokenness is a blessing. With the words of Philip Yancey “Imperfection is the prerequisite for grace. Light only gets in through the cracks.” Through our brokenness we realize our need for Christ. Through our brokenness God can fill us with his grace. Through our brokenness we become useful in God’s…
Our daughter’s home work the other day was to check that all the fire alarms of our home were in working order. That got me thinking: How are our spiritual fire alarms? Are they in working order too? Are you tuned in the Holy Spirit? Or is your life so noisy that you can’t hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit any more? It’s truly time to check our spiritual fire alarms powered by the Holy Spirit. This is what…
Is sharing part of your life? Or is it something you put off for later? Or do you think sharing is overrated? If you’re a Christian, sharing is not optional. We are called to share what we’ve received with others. Whether it is the Good News of Jesus Christ or our time or some resources we have. Sharing is caring. And that’s a distinctive feature of Christian living. If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his…
Today I want to honor Jerry Bridges, the author of Pursuit of Holiness, who died this Sunday at age 86. His writings have been a huge inspiration for many. Yet he was a very humble man always pointing to Christ. Here are my ten favorite Jerry Bridges quotes. May they bless you on your faith journey! The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of on my own performance is a very freeing…
What can we learn from the temptations of Jesus? Or are they inapplicable in today’s world? Sure, it is not just about big temptations, it’s about our daily choices. It’s about putting God first in everything. [My thoughts here on Matthew 4: 1-11 are inspired by Eugene H. Peterson’s sermon notes found in Conversations – the Message with its translator.] The core of the temptations is to put something else first in our lives and God second. The things can be…
It has been news to me that still, 2000 years after Jesus walked on this green earth, people don’t know the difference between religion and faith. Actually, I am shocked to realize again and again that people still think Christianity is about following rules instead of following Christ. Is this news to you? Boy, do I have good news for you! For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually…
Did you know that prayer is a privilege? I think so. Did you also know that prayer is also our duty? Prayer is our joy, our weapon, and our ministry as Christians. With the words of Martin Luther “As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.” The power of prayer is beyond our understanding. As Watchman Nee has said “Our prayers lay the track down…
Is your faith an accessory or an addition to your life? Or is it the foundation of your life? Too often we push God and his will in a corner. Faith is nice and God makes us feel good but we leave it there. We go on with our lives without God and radical faith. “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words…
One of my favorite hymns is the one made from the poem “By Loving Forces” written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in prison. He sent it to his family for Christmas to bring hope and assurance. And this hymn still does it every time. So if you’re in dire need of encouragement in the midst of hardships, this song is for you. I’ve always loved the Finnish hymn made from the poem. Today, I fell in love with the newer German version…
