Just a Minute!

What’s the one word that comes to mind when you think of Christmas?

For me, it is joy.

That’s what the story of Christmas brings to human hearts.

"Listen to the words of the angel to the Shepherds, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord."

Jesus makes the heart glad.

And that is so different from the fear, pain and sorrow that the world brings.

Let me ask.

Has the story of Christmas brought joy to your heart?

Have you welcomed Jesus as your Savior?

He was born for you, to forgive your sin and give you eternal life.

And that’s cause for great joy.

Categories: Jesus Christ

What’s in a name? Joseph found out when he was wrestling with what to do about Mary.

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife and to give the baby she carried the name Jesus.

Why Jesus?

Because the name defines Christ’s mission to save his people from their sins. 

But that’s not the only name Jesus would bear. He would be called Immanuel, which means God with us.

Immanuel tells us who he is — God in human flesh.

And these two names tell the Gospel story. Jesus, through his death, saves us from our sins. Through his resurrected life, Jesus, God with us comes to live in and through us.

Whats in a name? When it comes to Jesus, our Immanuel, it is good news!

Categories: Jesus Christ

Have you done enough?

I mean enough to earn your place in heaven.

My friend Gaston wasn’t sure.

Weeks before he died, he told me point blank.

“Bob, I haven’t done enough. I wish I could go back and redo so many parts of my life.”

These were sad words to hear.

You see, no one can work their way into Heaven. No one can do enough.

But here is the good news.

Jesus did enough to cover everyone.

And he did it so that the righteous requirements of the law would be fulfilled in you.

If you are worried that you haven’t done enough, let that worry go.

Rest in Christ’s finished work.

When you do, the peace of God will fill your heart.

Categories: Heaven Faith Jesus Christ

Abraham was called a friend of God.

James tells us why.

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.

What this meant for Abraham is that God clued him in on his plans.

He told Abraham what he was up to.

Now this holds true for you.

You are a friend of God, because God made you righteous when you believed the good news.

Jesus explained the significance to his disciples.

“The servant”, he said, “does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.”

Jesus calls you his friend. Which means he will clue you in on what he is up to in your life.

Categories: Faith Hope

2 Corinthians 3:15 is a strange verse.

It reads, “…to this day, whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts”.

The passage is clear that Paul is referring to the Old Covenant or as he called it, “the ministry of death, carved in letters of stone”.

What in the world does this verse mean

That we should never read the Old Testament.

Of course not.

It simply means this. thinking that salvation or living the Christian life is achieved through obedience to the law, veils the heart to the new life God gives and empowers by grace through faith.

The law kills.

The Spirit gives life.

If you are having trouble seeing your way forward as a Christian, turn your eyes to the Lord.

He will lift that veil.

Categories: Grace Faith

The Bible tells us to speak the truth.

When it comes to speaking the truth many of us are like Colonel Jessup, the character played by Jack Nicholson in the movie A Few Good Men.

Tom Cruise’s character, Kaffee, was questioning Jessup in a military courtroom.

The scene was intense and heated, and finally Kaffee blurted out, “I want the truth”.

Jessup exploded, “You can’t handle the truth.”

We don’t think those we love can handle the truth

So we keep it from them, or we tell them a lie.

That’s nothing but fear in action, and as we have all learned that only makes matters worse.

If you want strong relationships, speak the truth.

And when you do, be sure to speak the truth in love.

You’ll be surprised just how well they can handle the truth.

Categories: Love Christian Living

We can do a lot of damage with these tongues of ours.

It’s no wonder James describes it as a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless our Lord and Father.

And with it we curse people who are made in his image.

As James wrote, “these things ought not to be so”.

This raises the question, how do we tame the tongue.

I can tell you this. It doesn’t happen through self-effort.

I bet you’ve already discovered that truth.

No, the tongue is tamed when it comes under the control of God’s Spirit.

If you want your words to build up and give grace to those who hear, walk in the Spirit.

He will not only give you the words to say, but how to say them.

Categories: Christian Living Faith Holy Spirit

Different.

That is Jesus. There is nothing in this world like him.

He is set apart, or holy, in every way.

Now here is the good news.

If you are a believer, Jesus lives in you

Trust him, and the life that flows out of you will be different as well, holy and set apart from the world, even down to the way you speak to others.

Paul put it this way.

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.”

Walk in dependence upon Christ, and watch him transform your words infusing them with his grace and seasoning them with the flavor of his love and mercy.

Now in this crazy world where words are filled with hatred and strife, your speech will be set apart.

Different. All because of Jesus.

Categories: Jesus Christ

To all the married people.

Have you ever taken the time to see your mate as God sees them?

If not, let me encourage you to do so today?

Open your bible to Ephesians 1 and read verses 3-14.

As you do, insert your mates name into each verse.

I’ll show you what I mean by inserting my wife’s name in verses 7 and 8.

In him, Jeanna has redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of her trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished on her in all wisdom and insight.

Here is the truth about your spouse.

God blessed him or her in Christ with every spiritual blessing.

Which means your mate is awesome in God’s sight.

Walk in this truth and your marriage will never be the same.

Categories: Love Marriage

Do you know that your salvation is much more than the forgiveness of your sins?

Yes Jesus died for your sins. But that is the first chapter of the story.

He was also buried and raised back to life.

And then he ascended to the right hand of God the Father.

He is your total and complete salvation.

When you believe, you receive Him as your life.

Jesus Christ took up residence in you to reign in your life here and now.

This is why your salvation is a story of hope.

If it was only forgiveness, it would be left up to you to live the Christian life.

And as Paul wrote to the Galatians, human effort just won’t do.

So today rejoice. You not only have forgiveness of sins.

You have Jesus living in you!

Categories: Jesus Christ Faith Hope Love