The family tree of Jesus is not a showcase of human greatness. It is a monument to divine mercy.
grace
Facing the Temptations to Shrug and Scheme
Jacob and Esau. Two brothers who demonstrate two responses to the promises of God. Esau despised his birthright. He traded eternity for a bowl of stew. He lived for what he could taste, touch, and feel in the moment. Spiritual things felt distant. Immediate comfort felt urgent. Hendrick ter Brugghen’s Esau Selling His Birthright (c. … Continue reading Facing the Temptations to Shrug and Scheme
God’s Grace in the Midst of Strained Family Relationships
Genesis 30 shows the messy, tense reality of Leah and Rachel’s relationship. Jealousy, competition, and longing for children dominate their household. Leah feels unloved; Rachel feels desperate. They manipulate, compete, and use surrogates to secure favor. On the surface, it’s a story of rivalry—but beneath it, God is at work. Even in their flawed strategies … Continue reading God’s Grace in the Midst of Strained Family Relationships
The Quiet Power of Words
Transformation of the tongue flows from transformation of the heart.
When God Seems Silent, Remember: God Has Spoken
John 1:1-18 God’s seeming silence in suffering can drive us to despair—even to the belief that life is not worth living. But Scripture insists: God is not mute, but He has spoken and not kept silent. And His final, definitive Word is Jesus Christ. If Jesus is not God in the flesh, God remains distant, … Continue reading When God Seems Silent, Remember: God Has Spoken
Grace for the Doubting: ‘My Brethren’
MATTHEW 28:8–10 Jesus first appeared to the women. For they were last at the cross, and first at the tomb. He entrusted them with the news of His resurrection. His first thought after rising in glory was for His scattered disciples. And His words are astonishing: “My brethren.” Though the disciples had failed, fled, and … Continue reading Grace for the Doubting: ‘My Brethren’
Praying for Your Church: A Flourishing Community of Grace
Click here: A Prayer Guide through Colossians 3:12-17 It is very sad and unfortunate that many view Christianity primarily as a moral code instead of the grace-filled relationship that it is. I, for one, grew up thinking that becoming a Christ-follower involved keeping rules with clenched fists. However, I have come to learn that … Continue reading Praying for Your Church: A Flourishing Community of Grace
For Those Who Are Waiting in a Time of Grief and Pain
This week, my daily Bible reading took me through Isaiah 30 which has much to say to those who wait with grieving and pain-filled hearts. You may be waiting for someone to love and cherish you... waiting for the privilege to bear children, waiting for healing for a terminal illness, waiting for a prodigal child … Continue reading For Those Who Are Waiting in a Time of Grief and Pain
Four Movements in Corporate Worship
Corporate worship contains four basic movements: Glory, guilt, grace, and gratitude. The wonderful hymn of praise “God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory” beautifully illustrates this. Glory: The radiant beauty of our God is seen in all that He has made, especially the pinnacle of His creation – man. The only fitting response is to worship … Continue reading Four Movements in Corporate Worship
Taking Time to Examine Yourself
Why do followers of Jesus take time to regularly confess their sins to God? The regular discipline of confession enables us to grasp more fully the beauty and wonder of grace as we are made continually aware of the depth of our need of God’s unmerited favor. Christopher Ash explains: We desire “to encourage self-examination … Continue reading Taking Time to Examine Yourself
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