Christ said: I am among you as one who serves….You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Luke 22:27; Galatians 5:13) Paderewski and Chopsticks Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) was a Polish musician and composer. At his peak, he was the world’s …
A Fresh Start with Christ
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24) New Days and Years Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942) …
Jesus Our Defender and Protector
Defend my cause and redeem me. Preserve my life according to your promise….You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 119:154, 32:7) Are You Safe? The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago, Illinois, is the third tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. It is 108 stories tall, soaring …
Full Atonement: Can It Be? (Part 2)
Jesus Christ had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17) Last time we began to look at the hymn “Hallelujah! What a Savior” by Philip Bliss (1838–1876). …
Full Atonement: Can It Be? (Part 1)
All Jesus’ followers are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood,…so as to be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26) Philip Bliss and His Hymn The Scripture above reminds me of a line …
Jesus: Our Everlasting Father (Part 1)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and …
God’s Deep, Deep Love
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16) His Love is Perfect God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) wants us to rely, depend, believe in His love for us. He wants us to have faith, trust, and confidence in …
United Praying in Troubling Times
An Illustration from World War II In 1939, German warplanes began bombing London and the government feared that societal chaos would follow. Would civilians be ready for the trauma and horrors to come? How would they cope if life as they knew it was overturned? How would they grapple with the nightly threat of injury or death? Would they riot, …
The Lord Opened Lydia’s Heart
Outside the city of Philippi, the apostles sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered at a place of prayer. One of those listening was named Lydia. She was a worshiper of God and the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message….Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation: The …
Praying Psalm 44 (Part 3)
Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword cannot. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth can disconnect us from our Lord. No, in all these …