At Christmas we can pay a lot of attention to the wrapping. Even the ugliest of gifts can be wrapped in beautiful paper and adorned with a lovely bow. Yet inside all the wrapping is still something less than desirable. One of the amazing things about Jesus coming to earth is the fact that He came wrapped in human flesh and bone to identify with … Continue reading Unwrapping Christmas
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.” Luke 4:1-2 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/luk.4.1-2.esv Jesus faces temptations. All humans do. The temptations Jesus faced were not unlike our own. Turning rocks to … Continue reading A look at the temptations of Jesus
As we move closer into the cross this week, I’m reminded of how forgiveness is a deliberate choice. Jesus willingly forgave the people around Him and us for that matter even though they never asked for it and certainly didn’t deserve it. As we draw near to the cross let’s remember that the people who have hurt us not only need Jesus’ forgiveness but ours … Continue reading Jesus forgives
Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. Mark 16:12 Seeing Jesus will change the way you see everything else. Circumstances and people will never look the same once you see Jesus and begin to look through His eyes. Jesus has a certain way He looks at everything in our lives: how will it bring … Continue reading Have You Seen Him?
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”” Matthew 16:13-15 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.16.13-15.esv There are a lot of things … Continue reading The most important question
“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 Looking at this verse there are three things that stand out immediately. 1) Jesus can save to the uttermost. Many followers of Jesus believe He can save but do we believe He can save to the “uttermost”? What does that … Continue reading Making Intercession
“since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” 1 Peter 1:16 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/1pe.1.16.esv God doesn’t just show us something to show us. He expects us to engage and pursue. The standard for all of us is His holiness. Becoming holy as He is holy doesn’t happen by our efforts but by His Spirit at work within us. The more we are … Continue reading Becoming Holy
