One day, early in his ministry, Jesus stood on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

He saw Peter and Andrew fishing.

He said to them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

And they did.

Matthew wrote it this way. “Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

There was something so moving about Jesus and the word that he spoke, Peter and Andrew gave up their livelihood just to be in his presence.

Now, their decision may seem hasty or rash, but not when you realize who called them.

Here is the good news.

That same Jesus called out to you at a point in your life.

Aren’t you glad you left your old way life just to follow him.

Categories: Faith Hope Salvation

While pregnant, Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth.

She too was pregnant.

Both were overwhelmed by God’s goodness to them.

So much so, Mary expressed her heart,

My soul glorifies the Lord, She said
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
(Luke 1:46-49)

Today, let Mary’s words encourage you to rejoice in God and to recognize that you are blessed because God has done great things for you.

He made you his child, forgave all of your sins, and raised you up to walk in the newness of life

All through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Categories: Christian Living Faith Hope Love

The news was a kick in the gut to Joseph.

The love of his life was pregnant.

What was he supposed to do now?

He didn’t want to disgrace or shame Mary, so he resolved to divorce her quietly.

But that was his plan, not God’s.

As he was considering his situation, an angel came to him in a dream and said, “Joseph do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”.

The angel revealed God’s plan to him and nudged him to move forward based on truth not fear.

Don’t you wish an angel would show up in your dreams and nudge you in the right direction.

Well, you have something far better

The Holy Spirit lives in you

And he is constantly working in you to turn your fears to faith.

Categories: Emotions/Depression Hope Faith

Earlier this year I visited Nazareth.

I spoke in a Synagogue much like the one where Jesus delivered his first sermon.

And I toured the Church of the Annunciation.

Now this is the place that commemorates the story of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would bear a son named Jesus.

Listen to his words.

“Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

Did you know the same is true for you?

There is nothing for you to fear, because you too have found favor with God

Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection boldly announces this good news.

That the blessings of God are yours in abundance.

That He is with you and has given you new life, forgiveness and freedom, by grace through faith in Jesus.

Categories: Jesus Christ Faith Hope

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

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

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

We humans worry.

About everything.

Food, clothing, shelter, what others think about us, money.

And then we compound our worries with our fears about tomorrow.

Like today doesn’t have enough worries of its own.

Jesus told his followers not to worry or be anxious at all.

He gave a good reason.

Your heavenly Father knows what you need.

And he will care for you just as he cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.

Are you worried today, or anxious about what tomorrow might hold for you?

If so, let me encourage you to look to Jesus, to turn to him and his wonderful promises, and to give him thanks.

This will turn your worry and anxiety to faith and trust.

Categories: Emotions/Depression Faith Hope