Have you ever seen one of the great paintings, like the Mona Lisa or Van Gogh’s Starry Night?

These are masterpieces.

No one would ever look at one of these masterpieces and say, “It’s not good enough. I can make it better.”

And yet, this is exactly what so many do with Christ’s death on the cross.

Instead of enjoying the beauty and power of his finished work, they are trying to add to what he accomplished.

Paul said, they are nullifying the grace of God, and living as if Christ died for nothing as if his death wasn’t enough.

What a tragedy.

His death was enough to forgive all of your sins, and to make you holy and righteous.

And you can’t improve on that.

So relax and rejoice in the greatest masterpiece of all, the finished work of Christ.

Categories: Jesus Christ

The most disappointing Christmas present I ever got was a Minolta camera.

I didn’t want a camera.

When I opened it up, I was bummed.

My face couldn’t hide my disappointment.

Why in the world would my mom and dad give me a camera? Didn’t they know me?

It turns out that they knew me quite well.

When I finally got over my disappointment and pride, I discovered something. I liked taking pictures.

And soon that disappointing gift became the best gift ever.

Now here is the lesson.

Your heavenly Father knows you inside and out.

Which means every gift he provides is perfect, everything you could ever want or need

So relax. He loves you and knows you best.

You will discover his gift of grace will never disappoint.

Categories: Grace Jesus Christ

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

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

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