John the Baptist was born as a miracle to elderly parents six months before Jesus. He was not named after his father because an angel visited him and told him he was to be called John instead (Luke 1:13). So there must then be a deep meaning to this name, right? So what does the name John mean? And what does that have to do with us? The English name John is the transliteration of the Greek name Ioannes, and the Greek…
When you walk with Jesus, you can’t hide your inner joy even though the world around you might not recognize the source of your strength, peace, and joy. If people are happy with superficial living, and just splashing on the surface, they will never find the treasures of deep grace diving. That’s a shame, don’t you think? Mainly because they can never find the pearl of deep-sea, Jesus. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just…
The gift of the Holy Spirit is a gift that keeps giving every day of a believer’s life. Jesus knew what he did when he sent the Holy Spirit to us. Without God’s Spirit, we’d be powerless to follow Jesus the way are meant to. So we were gifted the Holy Spirit who transforms, inspires, and empowers us. But the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a divine person of the triune God as the Bible tells us….
Do you underestimate God’s Holy Spirit? I think we all do to some extent. Otherwise, we’d be much more excited about this Comforter, Defender, Energizer, and Loyal Friend of ours who lives within us. Pentecost is a wonderful time to examine our relationship with the Spirit of Holiness. Do we let her close enough to spiritually stretch us and get us out of our comfort zone? If we want to grow in faith, we need to give the Spirit of…
Ascension Day is upon us. It means it’s 40 days from Easter. How have you used that time? Have you embraced the resurrection joy? Are you closer to God? Every day we are one day closer to heaven, let’s make our days count. The resurrection changed everything in the history of humankind. It can change everything for us if we just allow Jesus to raise us from the dead too. The resurrection was and is all God’s doing. We have…
If you feel you’ve lost yourself or your identity, don’t worry. God’s got your back. You can find all that you’ve lost in Jesus. Yes. You can find your lost life or soul in Jesus. It’s all safe in Jesus. Even if you’ve lost yourself, God will not lose you. So, all you need to do is to turn around and go to Jesus. You can find yourself in Jesus. He is before all things, and in him all things hold…
Have you ever felt that if God hadn’t been there for you, you never would have made it? I have and I do. Without God, I am nothing. But with him, I can do anything he wants me to do. God makes all the difference in my life. How about you? If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it.The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God, took hold and held me fast.When I was upset and beside…
Choosing to live in limbo is not living. It’s going through the motions and performing life events like you’ve seen others do. Don’t you desire to have a fulfilling life designed especially for you? I bet you do. We all do. Just so you know, it only happens when you fully embrace God and what he is doing in your life. So it’s time to say goodbye to hopelessness and fear and embrace God for all who he is and…
This week I have been touched by these words of Jesus: “Peace be with you”. This is how he greeted his disciples after his resurrection (John 20:19-). He knew they needed relief from fear as they were taking in his resurrection and all the changes therefore happening. Jesus also knew they needed new courage to face future challenges and eternal hope to carry them through some difficult times ahead. All this was inclosed in the word of peace. Jesus always…
What’s your takeaway from Easter celebrations? For me, it is the radical hope we are now offered for free. Because Jesus walked out of the tomb, we have hope everlasting. Eternal life is now open for all who believe in Jesus. This is radical, life-changing, and liberating. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all…
