Last week I wrote about how believing needs to begin again every morning. That’s why none of us can boast of our faith, we are all beggars of grace. But this does not mean that we weren’t called to grow in faith. Faith is not a pill we swallow once in our lifetime. Rather it is an organic connection with God we are all invited to enter. And this is where we can grow in faith. We are called to…
As I was reading Paul’s letter to the Romans today, I started wondering what it means to live to God as Jesus did. And how to do it. Because that’s what Christian living is supposed to be, right? The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:10-11, NIV, emphasis added). Within an hour I laid…
Obedience is not a buzzword. Nowadays everyone wants to be independent and do whatever they want. That’s why obedience is not very fashionable. And because faith is trusting and obeying God, faith is not very fashionable either. But faith in Christ gives us something eternal, something that never goes out of fashion. With the words of Paul, the gospel “is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, NIV). The blessings of obedience are out of…
Summer is time for rest. It’s time to pause, get your mind off your work and worries. The need for rest is in our DNA. We need to rest every night and we need a vacation every year. But there is even deeper rest within our reach. Resting in grace brings us real rest. What is that and why is it so special? First of all, grace brings peace to us. When we’ve confessed our sins, we receive grace upon…
My recipe for being content in every situation is very simple: seek God in the morning. Only God can enable us to be content in every situation, no matter how hard a place we find ourselves in. Really. Sure, it does not come naturally to us. Even Paul says he had “learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Phil.4:11, NIV). It is a skill we can learn. How to go about it? How to be content in every situation I have…
What kind of goals do you have for your life? Some people are real goal-setters and go-getters. Others are more laid-back but all of us need some intentionality for our lives. As a Christian, I try to plan my life with God, laying my dreams and plans at Jesus’ feet. God has promised to guide us and we can count on that. But what is God’s goal for your life? First of all, God’s goal for your life is salvation…
Do you ever wonder how you can remain a faith-filled Christian in this post-modern, post-Christian world? If we focus on the culture around us, the task is quite daunting for sure. But if we focus on faith and the Giver of Faith, we will be just fine. Because faith is much more than a bunch of dogmas. Faith is about living out Divine power. For you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart…
I have a question for you. What does it mean to you to be a Christian? Is your life somehow different? I hope so. Why would you otherwise claim to be a Christian if not for a redeemed life, right? William Wilberforce has said “It makes no sense to take the name of Christian and not cling to Christ. Jesus is not some magic charm to wear like a piece of jewelry we think will give us good luck. He…
Sometimes I think we make our lives way too complicated. We don’t intend to do so but, anyhow, we do. The same goes to faith. It’s meant to be a joy and strength for our journey. And we make it a chore to do. How did we end here when God created us for his pleasure to enjoy him and the life he gives. How could we uncomplicate things? Are you ready for uncomplicated faith? Okay. How do we do…
As we rush into the New year, let’s not forget the blessings what God has bestowed upon on us. Faith is not just something for holidays. It’s meant to be lived every day. Only then we really receive those blessings. Faith is not an abstract notion or a theological argument, it’s a belief in God’s love and care. And then living as we believe. Live by faith. Consistently. For we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in…
