We are called to follow Jesus but how does it look like in everyday life? What does it mean to follow Jesus and how could we do it in the midst of everything? Following Jesus all day long is our goal but how to do it, right? Let’s see what we can come up with. And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing…
Today I was thinking about God’s goodness. How God has chosen us in Christ even before he made the world. He prepared salvation for us through Jesus so we could be united with him. Amazing. The fact is, we bring nothing to the table except our sin and need to be rescued. Jesus brings everything, all the spiritual blessings, all the good things and then some. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed…
Before we can work out our faith, God needs to work salvation in us. It’s always God first, then we are able to respond. God enables our faith. We are not even authors of our faith. God is. He is the miracle worker, not us. We can’t make ourselves worthy of God’s love or grace. But God can and he is continually at it. Let’s let God work in us freely. Then we can work out our faith for his…
At first sight, this text has nothing to do with undeserved grace or does it? I was astonied by this year’s (B) lectionary reading. Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging…
There are some puzzling Bible stories of what Jesus did, like turning tables of money changers and telling Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!’ It’s a bit shocking to hear Jesus reacting this way but when we look at the stories a bit closer, we find deep wisdom in them. Today I want to talk about the latter story. It will help us to understand the importance of embracing God’s perspective. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that…
Do you remember the story of Jesus and the woman of Samaria at the well? It is quite the story, isn’t it? Every time I read it I gain a new understanding. I won’t go into every detail here, instead, I just want to share what spoke to me loudest this time around. Meeting Jesus changes you, my friend. When we encounter Jesus, our fears disappear. The fact the Samaritan woman was at the well in the middle of the…
How are you feeling about the ending of one year and the beginning of the new one? Sometimes we are a bit resentful. Other times we can’t quite get rid of the old one soon enough. No matter how you possibly feel now, know that you’re safe in God’s arms. All the promises of God are valid any year, so you’re good, all the time because God is good, all the time. So let’s anchor ourselves in God and let…
What’s your takeaway value of Christmas? I hope it’s not just some unwrapped presents and fun memories. There’s nothing wrong with those, of course. But the meaning of Christmas is so much more than fun times with family, delicious food or beautiful decorations. The message of Christmas is this: God loves you dearly and he even sent his only son to save you and bring you back to him. And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and…
What do you wish for Christmas? The most amazing gift is peace of God. It’s something the world can’t give you. Peace the world gives is something you get when you are able to retreat from your troubles. God’s peace is so strong you can feel a deep peace even in the midst of chaos. How can we attain it? By receiving it in Jesus. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;authority rests upon his…
If you’re feeling a big scrooge-y about Christmas, I have a fresh way for you to look at the Christmas celebrations. I understand you might feel delighted and thankful for Jesus but you’re not really connecting the dots between you and Bethlehem. So I am here to help you to make Christmas a wonderful celebration once again. I had been thinking of this already for a few weeks when I stumbled upon this quote from Corky Calhoun which sums up…
