Christ got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39) Reagan’s Perfect Pitch Many things in Scripture and life are deeper than they seem at first. In April 1984, President Ronald Reagan threw out the first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles game and then …
Compassionate Service
Isaiah prophesied about Jesus the Messiah: “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, till He has brought justice through to victory. In His name the nations will put their hope.” (Matthew 12:20-21, quoting Isaiah 42:1-4) Compassionate Christians Point to our Compassionate Lord Jim Petersen of The Navigators had a friend from …
Humble Servants of Jesus
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven….In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made …
Depending on Jesus
Christ said: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38) Luther’s Advice on Service Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a German pastor, author, and composer, best known as one of God’s …
Jesus-like Service
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 …
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 …