We are called to be one in Christ…but we are not succeeding very well, are we? Living in unity seems like a balancing act sometimes. How can we who are so different live in harmony? How can we respect everyone and allow each other freedom in Christ? These are the questions I’ve been mulling over lately. Blessedly I learned five things about how to walk in love from Romans 14:13-23. 1) We need to stop criticizing at once. Everyone we…
Do you know that you’re called to bear witness? When you have come to know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and when you – by grace – believe it, you are truly free. But what are you supposed to do with this knowledge, this joy, this freedom? When you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you are, just like Peter, commissioned to move beyond yourself, to bear witness that Jesus is alive and God is at work among us….
Have you heard? Christ is risen! And with that everything has changed. Truly. Resurrection life is not business like usual. Jesus really died on the cross for our sins and he was buried like said but on the third day he was risen. But that’s not all, folks! Jesus was risen but sin stayed in the tomb. Christ conquered all the evil forces. Easter really isn’t “just” about being exited that our friend Jesus lives. God did not “just” rose…
Is sharing part of your life? Or is it something you put off for later? Or do you think sharing is overrated? If you’re a Christian, sharing is not optional. We are called to share what we’ve received with others. Whether it is the Good News of Jesus Christ or our time or some resources we have. Sharing is caring. And that’s a distinctive feature of Christian living. If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his…
Today I want to honor Jerry Bridges, the author of Pursuit of Holiness, who died this Sunday at age 86. His writings have been a huge inspiration for many. Yet he was a very humble man always pointing to Christ. Here are my ten favorite Jerry Bridges quotes. May they bless you on your faith journey! The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of on my own performance is a very freeing…
What can we learn from the temptations of Jesus? Or are they inapplicable in today’s world? Sure, it is not just about big temptations, it’s about our daily choices. It’s about putting God first in everything. [My thoughts here on Matthew 4: 1-11 are inspired by Eugene H. Peterson’s sermon notes found in Conversations – the Message with its translator.] The core of the temptations is to put something else first in our lives and God second. The things can be…
It has been news to me that still, 2000 years after Jesus walked on this green earth, people don’t know the difference between religion and faith. Actually, I am shocked to realize again and again that people still think Christianity is about following rules instead of following Christ. Is this news to you? Boy, do I have good news for you! For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually…
Did you know that prayer is a privilege? I think so. Did you also know that prayer is also our duty? Prayer is our joy, our weapon, and our ministry as Christians. With the words of Martin Luther “As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.” The power of prayer is beyond our understanding. As Watchman Nee has said “Our prayers lay the track down…
Do you honor Jesus? If yes, how do you honor him? I am asking these questions because today we are celebrating the twelfth day of Christmas. Epiphany means ‘to make known’, ‘to show’, or ‘to reveal’. The kings revealed Jesus as the Lord and King to the world. But they also showed us how to approach him. Let’s find out what we can learn from the wise men. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during…
What do you think? Does Christmas matter? Does it really matter that Jesus was born? Let’s see. It’s true that whenever a baby is born, it changes the lives of the parents. But one baby changed the whole history and the future of the humankind. That’s why Christmas matters, Jesus changed everything. The miracle of Christmas is earth-chattering. The wonder of Christmas is life-changing. The Holy Night indeed changed the course of history. Before Jesus we did not have any…
