God decided long, long time ago that he wants to adopt you into his family through Christ. God also decided that he wants you to be the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. God wants you to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by Jesus. All this is said so beautifully in the Message version of the letter to Ephesians: How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s…
Do you know or do you want to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life? The Bible is very clear on this. Especially this passage from the first letter of John spoke to me on the matter: My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free…
Are you tempted to skip Good Friday and hop straight over to Easter? I hear you. I think it’d be great to pretend that all the cruel things on Good Friday did not happen. And, especially, denying our part in it, right? But that’s not how God planned out our salvation. It does involve blood, suffering, and dying. All for our sake. Our salvation was costly. We can’t forget that. We can’t skip Good Friday. Otherwise, our Easter joy would…
Brokenness is something we often despise. But it brings more blessings than we can imagine. We tend to think brokenness means uselessness. But in God’s kingdom it is exactly the opposite. Brokenness is a blessing. With the words of Philip Yancey “Imperfection is the prerequisite for grace. Light only gets in through the cracks.” Through our brokenness we realize our need for Christ. Through our brokenness God can fill us with his grace. Through our brokenness we become useful in God’s…
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…
Is your faith an accessory or an addition to your life? Or is it the foundation of your life? Too often we push God and his will in a corner. Faith is nice and God makes us feel good but we leave it there. We go on with our lives without God and radical faith. “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words…
Do you feel small? It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially, if you remember feeling small before the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is awesome that God Almighty loves us as we are. We are small but God cares and even wants to form a deep connection with each and everyone of us. When I look up at your skies, at what your fingers made— the moon and the stars that you set firmly in place— what…
What has been on your mind lately? What (or who) is the center of your attention these days? Is it a new car or ? marriage troubles? Or lack of a dating partner or job opportunities? Or are you very excited about new travels or hobbies? Your answer tells a lot about you. These questions lead you the very things on which your life centers. The answers will tell you where your treasure is. “Do not store up for yourselves…
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…
