What is it to us whether it is Friday the 13th or not, when we are in Christ? What is it to us who is against us, when God is for us? What is it to us what happens in the future, when the future is in God’s hands? So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ…
The whole world is hunting for peace, wholeness, and hope. But these things can only be found in a very unlikely place: the empty tomb of Jesus Christ. Because of the resurrection of Jesus who was crucified for our sins we can be made right with God. And when we are through faith right with God we receive peace upon peace. It’s not outwardly peace but inner peace right where we are. And when we have first peace with God,…
How are you practicing resurrection in your life? Or are you denying resurrection by your actions? Is Easter joy evident in your life? Or was Easter only a passing holiday in your life? It’s time to put the Good News of Jesus Christ in practice. It’s time to live life on God’s terms. But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has…
Are you alive in Christ? Do you trust in the Risen Christ? Do you feel the joy of his resurrection in your heart? Great! From this point on we are called to live not for ourselves but for Christ. And that is a game changer for sure. Because the cross of Christ is a vantage point. The world looks different with the eyes of Christ. People look different by divine standards. And so do we. Even God looks different from…
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Yes, alleluia! But what does it mean, right? What does it mean to you when you are struggling to make ends meet? What does it mean to you who is just beginning to understand God’s love for you? What does it mean when God seems to be silent? What does it mean here and now? What does it really mean? The first step into resurrection living is to let Jesus carry your burdens….
Today is Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday when we commemorate the foot washing (maundy) and the last supper of Jesus Christ. During the meal Jesus institutes the Eucharist by the words of sacrifice: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take and eat. This is my body.” He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from this, all of you. This is my…
What do you think? Are you responsible for Jesus’ death? Your answer is important. It defines whether you are ready for Easter or not. We aren’t able to receive God’s grace before we have a need for it. We aren’t ready for Easter before we embrace Good Friday. In order to do that we need to see that Good Friday’s happenings are for us. But we aren’t able to do that if we don’t see our part in the crucifixion….
What is sacrificial living anyway? Why should we live that way? And what’s in it for me? Let’s find out. Jesus showed us by his example what it is to live sacrificially and we are called to be like him. Suffering and sacrificial living are not very appealing at the first glimpse. But could there be something deeper in it? Could there be some hidden blessings somewhere? Because… When we embrace suffering, we enter into the mystery of God. When…
The commercial adds try to tell us what is essential for Easter. But only one thing is essential for Easter: a ready heart. Has your lenten journey readied your heart for Jesus? There’s still time to do it. We are not to rush ahead to Easter. Rather, we need to work on readying our heart. Have we surrendered our selfish hopes and false expectations? Have we confessed our sins and repented them? Are we ready to die with Jesus? Search…
On days when life is difficult and I feel overwhelmed, as I do fairly often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God requires of me is to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can do that. ~Bruce Larson Great grief prays with great earnestness. Prayer is not a collection of balanced phrases; it is the pouring out of the soul. What is love if it be not fiery? What are prayers if the heart…
