When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (Matthew 1:24 NIV) I don’t think we talk enough about Joseph’s sacrifice in the Christmas story. Joseph was a man who “was faithful to the law” (Matthew 1:19). He was pledged to be marriedContinue reading “Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain”
Category Archives: Discipleship
Love As He Has Loved Us
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so lovedContinue reading “Love As He Has Loved Us”
No More Silent Nights
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15 NIV) After 400 years of prophetic silence, the Word who was with God, and was God, became flesh and dwelt with the world He had created (John 1:1-2, 14). So imagine Israel’s joy when God finallyContinue reading “No More Silent Nights”
Be the Temple of God
Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. (Ezra 6:16 NIV) For many years, God’s people longed to build Him a place to dwell in and many times He reminded them that He could not be confined to a place.Continue reading “Be the Temple of God”
Salvation is Here
“For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.” (Luke 19:10 MSG) I once worked with a very challenging group of students. And although there were days when they tested my patience and made me reconsider my career choices, I was still very sympathetic towards them. When I told them that weContinue reading “Salvation is Here”
Foolish Desires
Take away my foolish desires, and let me find life by walking with you. (Psalm 119:37 CEV) We all have desires that throw us off track. Vain desires, such as riches, honours, beauty and fame. The psalmist realized this. He asked God to take away what he called “foolish desires,” and to preserve his lifeContinue reading “Foolish Desires”
Praying for Those Who Hurt Us
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10 NIV) I wonder what Job’s reaction was when God told him to pray for his friends, who we know were no friends at all. All the Bible tells us isContinue reading “Praying for Those Who Hurt Us”
Coffee Dates With Marlene
There are friends who are friends, and there is a friend that is closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 ABIPE) I’ve been blessed with many good friends over the years, but there’s only one that I’ve stayed in touch with, or who has rather, stayed in touch with me – Marlene. We’ve been good friendsContinue reading “Coffee Dates With Marlene”
You’re Cordially Invited
Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. (Luke 14:16-18 NLT) Once, a family member chose to invite many people to an importantContinue reading “You’re Cordially Invited”
Everyone Did As They Saw Fit
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. (Judges 17:6; 21:25 NIV) I don’t often do this, but there are certain chapters in the Bible that I skip because I just can’t bring myself to read them. Judges chapter 19 is one of those chapters. It’s a story about aContinue reading “Everyone Did As They Saw Fit”
Rising with the Son 