“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” (Luke 2:6-7 NLT) Have you ever been lost? The lastContinue reading “The Irony of Christmas”
Tag Archives: salvation
The Joy of Belonging
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.” (Psalm 51:10-12 NLT) The joy of belonging begins in earnest whenContinue reading “The Joy of Belonging”
What’s the First Step?
“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinkingContinue reading “What’s the First Step?”
Holiness Lives
“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – trulyContinue reading “Holiness Lives”
Who Decides?
“At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death.” (Luke 7:2 NLT) Great problems can lead to great outcomes, it just depends on who’s deciding the outcome. In the story above a Roman officer has a slave who is very ill and, upon hearing Jesus has healed others,Continue reading “Who Decides?”
Are You Living Forgiven (Part 2)
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11 NLT) From the outset, let’s be clear, Paul is not advocating the salvation of all people in the verse above, he’s saying the salvation Jesus earned for us on the Cross is available to all people. Then in the versesContinue reading “Are You Living Forgiven (Part 2)”
Regrets?
“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT) What’s your greatest regret? For me it seems the older I get the higherContinue reading “Regrets?”
The Basis of Unity (Part 2)
“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” (Ephesians 4:3-4 NLT) In yesterday’s post we looked at the basis of unity from practical aspects based on whoContinue reading “The Basis of Unity (Part 2)”
A Changed Life
“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” (John 3:6 NLT) What does it mean to have a “changed life?” There are life-changing events and experiences that may have nothing to do with a person meeting Jesus or having a heart-change for God. Someone can win the lottery,Continue reading “A Changed Life”
Is Your Theology Defective?
“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with Himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they clingContinue reading “Is Your Theology Defective?”
Walking With Jesus 