Have you lately heard people saying “don’t try, just do it”? It applies to Christian living too. So often we say “I’ll try to read the Bible and take time to be with God” but then off we go and don’t do anything to make it happen. But that’s not how it works. Saying that we’ll try is not enough. We might fool others but God sees right into our heart. But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine…
Many times I’ve shared how reading just a few Bible verses rekindles our faith and readies us for the challenges of the day. The verse of the day from Biblegateway packs a powerful punch for all of us today. In just a few verses we are reminded of God’s goodness and awesomeness. And how blessed we are to be his. What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it’s…
Today’s word for the Five Minute Friday is ‘ten’ and I first thought about writing about ten commandments but figured I am not able to do it in mere five minutes. I prayed about it and felt lead to share ten of my favorite Andrew Murray quotes with you. Andrew Murray (9 May 1828 – 18 January 1917) was a South African writer, teacher, and Christian pastor. He has been dead almost 100 years now but still his writings are…
As you might know, I started reading through the Bible once again the first of July. I’m following a reading plan to do it in six months. This means that lately I’ve been reading a lot about God’s instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, the priestly vestments, the altar and its appurtenances, the procedure to be used to ordain the priests, and the daily sacrifices to be offered. You’d think there’s nothing for today’s reader. At least, nothing spiritual,…
This Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote captured me this morning, so I just had to share it with you. Hopefully – if you want to be a Christian – it will touch a chord in you and inspire you to put your faith in practice too. “If we want to be Christians, we must have some share in Christ’s large-heartedness by acting with responsibility and in freedom when the hour of danger comes, and by showing a real sympathy that springs, not…
Do you know what is the secret of boldness? It’s the same reason why the apostles were so bold in proclaiming the gospel. It’s the same reason why Christians all over the world dare to do things out of their comfort zones. It’s the same reason that keeps you and me going when things get tough. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalm…
Do you feel that you’ve lost your true direction? Do you spend your life in less than formidable ways? It’s time to turn around, my friend. God has a good plan for you. How do you find God’s plan for you? How can you find your true direction? The same way than Jesus trained his apostles. By being with him. How do you do that? “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God,…
Do you know that God has no favorites? This is true no matter how it looks like or feels like. If you don’t believe me, believe the Bible. It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is…
How do you renew your mind? How are you becoming more Christ-like day in, day out? There’s no shortcuts here. We can only grow in faith by abiding in God. How do we do that? By practicing ancient Christian disciplines like prayer and reading the Bible. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and…
I never thought that I would be blogging about President Obama giving eulogy. But life does surprise us, doesn’t it? And this one was a very pleasant surprise. I truly liked what President Obama said in eulogy for Reverend Clementa Pinckney last Friday in Charleston, South Carolina. Who would have thought that Obama’s theology echoes Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Or St. Paul? For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift…
