Worrying seems natural to many of us. Worrying might even seem like the only way to go. But, let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be so. There is a way to say goodbye to worries. But it’s nothing we can make happen. But Jesus can. Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming…
The Bible says that eternal life lies in knowing God. There must be something really special about knowing God. How can we do that? We can’t do it without Jesus. But Jesus died for us so we could know God. If we receive this gift of grace, we are free to get to know God. Other religions teach that we need to first become good to approach God. But Christianity boldly proclaims that all we need is Jesus. Jesus looked…
This post is for all who feel that God has forgotten you. Because he hasn’t. And he won’t. Rest assured that God cares for you personally. God has not forgotten you. And God is not delaying his plans for the world. He does know what he is doing and when he is doing it. God has a plan. And he is full of love for us. God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet…
Do you realize the fullness of Christ? Do you live it? School’s out; quit studying faith and start living it! You have received Christ; now live him. Put what you have learned in practice and live large. Do everything in him and let your living spill over into thanksgiving. My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re…
Once I overheard a discussion between two successful young professionals on a train. It sounded like they had graduated together from a graduate school a while back with big dreams. And they had gone and achieved them all right. A good job. A beautiful wife. Wonderful kids. A comfortable house. A fast car. Extensive travels. Yet they were asking: Is this all there is? We think we can find happiness on our own. We think we know how to find…
Robust peace might sound a bit odd first. That’s because we’ve learned to think of peace as of lack of something. Peace is a lack of hurry or lack of pestering people. The peace the world ever is able to give is this kind of peace: a removal from busyness or a subtraction of something from our lives. But this kind of peace is not lasting and it diminishes our lives. This kind of peace is not robust peace. This…
What’s the point of Ascension Day? (Other than getting a day off in Europe?) Why would we be excited about following the cloud? Why would be excited about Jesus leaving us? Let’s find out. He [Jesus] told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria,…
Life is extremely messy and complicated. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. How could we live abundantly in the midst of everyday chaos? The answer is not the most popular in this self-centered world. Yet the answer remains the same and -what’s most important- the answer really works. Jesus is the answer to the messiness of life. Jesus is the answer to the chaos of life. Jesus is the answer for everything. I was reading John 8 this morning and was…
Do you believe in the power of prayer? Or do you think that Jesus promised too much for us? He told his disciples that God will give them whatever they ask in Jesus’ name. And, yet, we don’t get everything we ask, right? Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete….
I just love how Jesus fed 5000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread. We think 5 plus 2 is 7. But God’s way of thinking is way different, way bigger, and way better. What was the secret of Jesus? Then Jesus took the bread. When he had given thanks, he distributed it to those who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, each getting as much as they wanted.When they had plenty to eat,…
