Sometimes we forget how big of a gift and privilege grace really is. We easily take it granted because it was given freely to us. And we forget how amazing it is that God – who is holy and almighty – does everything to make it possible for sinners to come to him. It’s grace from start to finish. It’s his idea and it’s his power that makes it happen. But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave…
Sometimes you hear people saying there’s no way of knowing that we really need Jesus for eternal life. They don’t believe that whoever has Jesus has life because it does not make sense to them. But to me, it does not make sense to refuse Jesus. If you’re one of these people or know someone who could benefit from knowing the answer to this dilemma, may I suggest reading a few verses from the first letter of John? According to John,…
What does Amen mean? Is it just a way to end a prayer or does it mean something more? Amen means ‘so be it’ or ‘truly’ and it is very appropriate to end one’s prayer with an Amen. But it can also be said after a statement that is true. Very often you hear people shout Amen when they agree with the speaker. It’s like stating ‘Amen to that’ or I agree with that. However, we should never say Amen…
Too often I meet Christians who have not embraced fully the freedom Christ offers to us. Lovely Christian people who are paralyzed by fear of possibly doing something that would keep them away from heaven. Like God’s grace would not be powerful enough to cover them if they are not perfect Christians. Why have they not been told it’s not about their religiosity? It’s about the power of God. We can’t save ourselves no matter how hard we try. Thank…
Very often we think salvation is the end result. That once we are saved, all is done. But, actually, salvation is the start of a fruitful life. We are called to love and serve God. We are most satisfied and blessed by doing so. But when we live far from God, we don’t have the desire to serve anybody else but ourselves. That’s why, when we are not right with God, we are unable to serve. Thankfully that changes in God’s…
Christmas is not a day for Santa to bring gifts to well-behaved kids. It’s a day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Actually, the birth of Jesus has such a huge impact on our lives that we celebrate it for 12 days. So, Happy Second Day of Christmas, all! Jesus is better than Santa in so many ways. For the starters, Christmas without Christ is just a big mess. Not something we want to celebrate for days for sure. But…
What is the best part of Christmas? I’m sure there are as many answers as people giving them. Very often we talk about food and gathering with our loved ones. And they are great blessings for sure. But the outer things of Christmas do not make what’s the best part of Christmas. I think the best part of Christmas is that the true message of Christmas is always valid. For everyone, everywhere. Jesus came to set people free. Hence hope…
Are you ready for Christmas? Or are you secretly hoping for an extra week? Thankfully, Christmas does not depend on our mindset or feelings or how perfectly prepared we are. The journey to Christmas joy starts slowly and it is more than okay to come as you are. No preparations needed. Just come and meet Jesus. You can walk to the stable at your own pace. There are no requirements. You can come empty-handed and heavy-hearted. Yet you don’t ever…
Christian hope is a different kind of hope. It’s not based on wishful thinking or false hope. Christian hope does not depend on our own positivity and we are not hope-makers either. Instead, Christian hope is based on Christ and what he has done for us. Jesus is our hope. And that hope never lets us down. How freeing it is to realize that God is the source of hope. He is always the same. Hope is also not something…
I don’t know about you but I feel I am so far behind in my Christmas preparations. I don’t even dare to tell my American friends how behind I am. It’s not the first time either. The first year I was teaching at Concordia College (at Moorhead, MN) I bought my gifts – other than from the college bookstore – at the airports on my way home. I just had been so busy with teaching and grading and everything else…
