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…
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…
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…
It does not matter how dark it gets outside. It does not matter how dark the world is. What matters is that you have Light inside of you. Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” (John 8:12, MSG) Claim the joy of Christ to be yours today and every single day of your life. Keep your light lit no…
“When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy”, wrote Corrie Ten Boom. The western world has come too individualistic and that ideology has overtaken some Christians, too. Let’s see what advice the saints in this chain of Christians have for us. “Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints…
These tough economic times are ample playground for coveting. It is easy to see what we would like to have instead of looking at (and being grateful of) what we have. Yet many people seriously think that they are sinless and hence not in need of God. No coveting your neighbor’s wife. And no lusting for his house, field, servant, maid, ox, or donkey either—nothing that belongs to your neighbor! (Deut.5:21, MSG) The funny paradox is that often by coveting…
Faith is not a sentiment. It is a call for action. Too often we let the life happen and we wander without thinking, even without praying. But then we are in danger to get where the flow takes us and not where we want to go. We need to put our faith in action. We need to start our days by praying for guidance, for wisdom, for direction. Tommy Barnett states “I’ve discovered it is not sufficient simply to try…
I heard the expression “experience-rich but reflection-poor” used about this generation at the conference I attended this week. Are you one of these people? Have you experienced all the thrills, bells, and whistles this time can offer and been left empty, used, and shallow? You are not alone. We are so easily distracted by everything that is going on. But there really is such a thing that too much of good things. It does not pay off to do everything,…
Some of you know that there is no TV in our household. This is our sixth year without one and we don’t even remember to miss one anymore. It’s just not part of our lives. I’m right now at a conference in Denver and there is, of course, a TV in my hotel room. I turned it on the first morning I was hear to catch up with some news. I couldn’t believe my senses! All those loud, noisy and…
What do you think? Does it really matter what you choose today? The world is big, you are small…does it really matter what you choose today? I dare to say yes. It does matter what we do each day. It does matter what we choose. Why? Because each choice we make changes us into one direction or another. Yes, you can’t see or feel the difference today but in five years time you can already see or feel it. It…
