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

How will this be?

Have you ever asked God this question?

Well Mary did after the Angel Gabriel told her that she was going to give birth to a Son.

This was impossible humanly speaking. She was a virgin after all.

But the angel answered, “The Holy Spirit”

He would bring it about

And after explaining how, the Angel said, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Maybe you are in a “how will this be” circumstance right now.

And humanly speaking, there is no way through.

If so, remember, you have the Holy Spirit living in you.

Trust him to will and to do of his good pleasure through you.

Why? Because with him, nothing is impossible.

Categories: Jesus Christ Hope Love

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

People today are familiar with the Christmas story.

They're just not sure why Jesus came.

That’s what has been covered over by the holiday hype.

The writer of Hebrews sheds a bright light on the “why” of Christmas in Hebrews 10:5-10.,

He starts, “When Christ came into the world…” This is the holy night we sing about and celebrate.

In this passage we learn that Jesus came into world to carry out the will of His Father.

He came to establish the New Covenant.

And he did when he cried out, “It is finished!” from the cross.

And in this New Covenant, God remembers your sins no more.

And he came to make you holy by offering his body once and for all.

This is the “why” of Christmas.

Let’s let the world know. It’s good news.

Categories: Jesus Christ New Covenant Hope

I’m a Hallmark Christmas movie fan.

It’s not something I admit very often, especially to my guy friends.

But its true.

Those sappy, predictable, feel-good stories get to me every time.

I just wish real life always ended on a happy note.

Don’t you?

Unfortunately, that’s not the way life works.

We face trials of every kind.

As soon as one ends, another comes along.

And many of these trials bring with them pain and sorrow and hurt.

That’s just life.

You may be going through one of those difficult times right now.

If so, take heart.

You have a Savior, Christ the Lord.

One who loves you and gave himself for you.

And that’s the real story of Christmas.

Categories: Christian Living Hope 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

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

Believer, you are free.

Which means you are free to gratify the desires of the flesh and to follow after the ways of the world like you once did.

You are free, but that is not using your freedom wisely.

Any choice you make to gratify a desire of the flesh is a choice to step back into that jail cell that held you captive when you were lost.

And that’s not where you belong.

If you want to experience your freedom in Christ to the full, walk in the Spirit.

Put off your old self, and your old way of life.

And put on your new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

And through love serve, one another.

Now that’s real freedom, the freedom Christ set you free to enjoy.

Categories: Christian Living Hope