After vacation, it can be really hard to get back to the grind. There are of course many reasons for this. But it helps to realize perfection is not required of you. Not even on a good day and especially not right after vacation. So it’s totally okay to be slow and a bit disoriented. Even now you can rest in grace and wait for good because God is good. God has not forgotten you. Actually, he has provided everything….
Sometimes we make simple things complicated. Unfortunately, we do that to faith too. And by doing so we create a new religion of works. But salvation is really simple. So simple that even a child can understand. It’s based on the work of Jesus, not ours. Because Jesus died for our sins, we can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus. We just need to believe. And stand by faith. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in…
Are you strong in spirit? Would you like to be? And what does it mean to be strong in spirit anyway? Let’s find out. John the Baptist – whose birth many churches are celebrating this weekend – is a wonderful example of a person who was strong in spirit. I’m sure we can take some pointers from him. John grew up and became strong in spirit. (Luke 1:80, NLT,*) I think John the Baptist was totally focused and dedicated to his…
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…
I love spring and the joy of Easter season. I think all Christians do. But how could we bring this joy, this power into our everyday life? So that we could continue to live joyfully and freely as we are meant to do. This is the million dollar question. How can we integrate resurrection into our lives? Even though too many still think so, salvation is not just about getting into heaven. With the words of Randy Clark: “Jesus died…
How do you feel about the events of Good Friday? They’d be much harder to take if we did not know what happens next, right? Because we know the death of Jesus is not the end, we can take it. This is how the eternal perspective works. It brings life in the midst of death. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in…
As Maundy Thursday approaches I’ve been pondering on blessings of foot washing. Why did Jesus wash his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17) and how would I react to it? Would I be like Peter? First not wanting to allow Jesus to do what he wanted to do and then wanting him to wash more than necessary? I’ve always related to Peter very easily so I assume I’d be like him. Have you ever had your feet (or hands) washed as part…
As we approach Easter, it is good to contemplate on the sacrifice of Jesus and what it means for us. And how it shows in our lives. Or does it at all? Is Jesus’ death on the cross the sacrifice we trust or is it the sacrifice we dust once a year? These thoughts were inspired by this P.T. Forsyth’s quote “Christianity is not the sacrifice we make, but the sacrifice we trust.” It helps us to understand Christian faith…
Christmas is gone and we’re left in awe of God’s love. The question we need to answer now is: what are we going to do about it? How does God’s love change our lives? Or do we leave the joy of Christmas untouched until the next Christmas? That would be sad…and stupid, don’t you think? I do anyway. And that’s why I do not want to leave all the goodness of Christmas behind. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling…
I’m almost weepy as I ponder on God’s promises to us and, especially, how beautifully he demonstrates that he is fully behind his promises. God became a human being so he could redeem our sins but also walk alongside us. He did not just tell us what to do, he became one of us. Even Jesus’ name declares God’s intentions to be always with us. All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive…
