Jesus is different. And if you belong to him, you’ll most likely be considered different or strange as well. So let’s buttress ourselves and take a closer look at the awesomeness of his uniqueness. First, Jesus is God-with-us. He is the very fullness of God in human form (Colossians 2:9). ‘Do you mean to say … Continue reading The awesomeness of his uniqueness
The difference being different makes
Have you ever felt strange because of your faith? What if that wasn’t a bad thing? And what if there was a purpose in it? Paul’s teaching about the risen Jesus to the philosophers of Athens provoked accusations of strangeness: “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing … Continue reading The difference being different makes
Falling out of love with fitting in
In John 15:19 Jesus said this to his disciples: “you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” To understand what he means, we need to know that in this context the phrase “the world” is a way of speaking about … Continue reading Falling out of love with fitting in
The One who makes our voices soar [and your musical favs]
Earlier this week, I invited you to submit your favourite praise songs or hymns. The full list is below. Thanks for sharing! Perhaps there is something in there to uplift you. God can use music to do just that! In The Shawshank Redemption, an inmate named Andy goes into the office of one of the guards … Continue reading The One who makes our voices soar [and your musical favs]
Instruction in the Way
In Acts 16, the jailer who had been guarding Paul and Silas asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house” (verses … Continue reading Instruction in the Way
Overhearing faith
There are times when people overhear faith. They listen in (or eavesdrop) on what someone else is saying. And then, perhaps at some point in the future, they start to wonder if this God thing might be something for them too. An example is found in Acts 16. After receiving an unjust beating and being … Continue reading Overhearing faith
Music amplifies the goodness of God
In Philippi, Paul and Silas suffered accusations, injustice, a bloody throttling, imprisonment, and had their feet put in stocks. How did they respond? Acts 16:25 tells us: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God...” Wow! Tertullian said: “The legs feel nothing in the stocks when the heart is in heaven.”* … Continue reading Music amplifies the goodness of God
The narrow gate
Life contains a baffling number of choices. But Jesus said: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). This is the word of … Continue reading The narrow gate
Great is your reward… in heaven
Jesus said: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12). I’d like to share a comforting thought. You might not think it’s very comforting at first, but hear me … Continue reading Great is your reward… in heaven
Calling on the name of the Lord
The writer of Psalm 116 had experienced trauma—the “griefs of the grave,” as it is stated in the Geneva Bible translation. Whatever his particular affliction, he had called out to God for help, and received it! In gratitude and thanksgiving he said he would “call on the name of the LORD” (verse 13). We’ve heard … Continue reading Calling on the name of the Lord
