Once in awhile it is wise to get back to basics, to remind ourselves what faith is all about. If our foundation of faith is not build on the rock, nothing really clicks. We need to get back to basics and get our foundation right. Then we can move on and build upon the solid foundation. God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear….
Have you been hurt badly? Do you think the offence should not be pardoned? Do you think God should not extend grace to your offender? I hear you. It is hard to understand why God would offer grace for all sinners. But he does. Because he loves us. TheBible tells us: And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because…
The world says losing is for losers. The Bible says losing is gaining. Which one do you believe? The world says you need to cumulate stuff, fame, wealth in order to be happy. The Bible says if you lose it all, you will gain everything in Christ. It sure sounds backwards. But it is the way to life everlasting. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside…
Do you know that you’re called to bear witness? When you have come to know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and when you – by grace – believe it, you are truly free. But what are you supposed to do with this knowledge, this joy, this freedom? When you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you are, just like Peter, commissioned to move beyond yourself, to bear witness that Jesus is alive and God is at work among us….
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…
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…
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…
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 know the deep secret of joy? It has nothing to do with the entertainment industry but it has everything to do with Jesus. Because, you know, nothing but Jesus can give us freedom from all the ugliness in our lives. And that’s not even all. Jesus can save us from eternal separation from the ultimate goodness. Martin Luther explains the deep secret of joy very well: The heart overflows with gladness, and leaps and dances for the joy…
