Lately, I’ve grieved over friends (and everyone) who have once known the joy of salvation and then chosen to forsake Christ for the world. In some ways, they’ve forgotten the good God has done for them. They’ve forgotten how good God really is and how much we need him. They’ve forgotten how to stay firm in the faith. When I was younger, it was great to fellowship with other young Christians. But the ranks have thinned out considerably. I used…
Isn’t it so easy to see the wrong in others? Since Adam and Eve, we’ve tried to blame anyone and everyone but ourselves. Sometimes we even blame God in order to make ourselves feel a bit better. But it does not work in the long run. We don’t get any cleaner by taking mud baths. Maybe it is time to exchange blame for grace? Look! Listen! God’s arm is not amputated—he can still save. God’s ears are not stopped up—he…
Are you planning to do some spring cleaning? How about some spiritual spring cleaning too? Before you start, I have a spiritual cleaning tip for you that will hopefully save you some time and effort. Wash me completely clean of my guilt; purify me from my sin! (Psalm 51:2, CEB) First of all, forget about any quick-fix cleaning. That does not fix the real problem, it just hides it for awhile. Instead, put the best spiritual cleaning tip into practice:…
I love grace. Undeserved love towards us cleansing us from all unrighteousness….what’s not to like, right? But here are three reasons why I love grace on the top of its saving quality. Because there’s no way around it: God’s grace saves sinners. There’s nothing better in my book. But there are, at least, three other qualities of grace that needs to be mentioned. Grace is so amazingly wonderful that we can’t figure it out. It is beyond reason. How can…
Do you use your time wisely? That’s my prayer every morning. I say ‘Good morning’ to God and surrender myself and my time to him and ask him to guide me and enable me to use my time wisely. It’s not that easy on our own, you know. Sometimes using your time wisely is doing nothing at all. Let me explain. Managing your time effectively is not necessary the same thing as using your time wisely. I find it helpful…
Are you striving to perfect your faith? I have news for you. That’s not your job. That’s the job for Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of faith, not you. Sure, there are still things for you to do: You are called to run with endurance and active persistence. Your task is to abide fully in Jesus, not to strive to perfect your faith on your own. You are called to focus on Jesus and let him deal with…
Mercy will make your day. Nothing else will do. But mercy delivers, day after day. And so does this fresh, upcoming singer Ida Elina. She has a totally unique way to play her kantele, inspired by the gospel music and the slap-guitar players. And when you mix it with her amazing voice and most compelling words, you get a wow experience. Don’t miss it. It will make your day. And it will remind you of mercy, that five-letter word that…
Have you asked God to show what this year is all about? How has God responded to you? Or have you asked yourself how you should change this year? How have you responded to that? Too often we try to run our lives without consulting God. We try to decide ourselves what needs to be done and then we proceed to change ourselves according to our plans. And we forget God out of the equation. When God is not part…
As I was doing a Biblegateway search for verses that include both faith and power, I found out today that the Amplified Bible explains faith as “trust and confidence in the power of God”. That’s what it is, isn’t it? If we don’t trust God and the power of God, our faith is more of a theory than a way of life. If we truly believe, we put our whole lives on the hands of Jesus. Because we trust God…
One of the sweetest yet also most profound words to describe faith is dwelling. How so? Isn’t it wonderful to know God dwells in us and in whom we find a dwelling place? Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Cor. 3:16, NIV) In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8, NIV) But that’s not all why I…
