Have you ever wondered why the world, your friends or even your family, may not see what you see? In love, we desperately want our friends and loved ones to see our Savior and all that He has done for them. However, like looking through a broken viewer at a scenic outlook, it's not surprising to hear them say, "I can't see anything." Here's where the work of the Holy Spirit comes in. Apart from the Spirit, the world has no spiritual sight or knowledge. Good News! Jesus not only tells us about th...
May 19, 2023•5 min
Have you ever thought of the church as an ocean going vessel? It may surprise you to know that for the centuries the Savior’s church as been portrayed in art and architecture as a ship. However, is this a cruise ship or a rescue ship?
May 17, 2023•5 min
When Paul saw all the idols in Athens, you might think that He would have thrown up his hands and thought, “The people are saturated with false worship and philosophies. How can I ever get them to recognize their need for God?” You and I might share this despair, when we look around at a world which has sunk so far into depravity and yet, at the same time, thinks it has everything figured out. What can you do in a culture in which folks think, “I don’t need God.” But Paul didn't despair. In fact...
May 15, 2023•5 min
Before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus assured the disciples with this wonderful news: “In my Father’s house are many rooms.” Furthermore, He told them, “I am going there to prepare a place for you.” This news brought great comfort, not only to the disciples, but to believers of every generation to follow. However, in our covetousness, it’s easy to lose sight the nature of this comfort and how wonderful it is.
May 12, 2023•5 min
Is it possible to exchange church for ... a chicken dinner? The early church sought to meet the need of the Greek-speaking widows who were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So they gathered in faith to come up with a solution. We get a great opportunity to see the congregation of believers in loving action and how it responded in service. However, if you notice, they were careful not to give up the ministry of God's Word in order to do it.
May 10, 2023•5 min
As we continue to bask in the glorious Good News of Easter, our Savior’s resurrection, and the salvation that we have in Him, Peter invites us to join him in giving thank to God. He opens his first letter saying, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Now he goes on to direct our attention to what’s essential to the healthy growth of this new life.
May 08, 2023•5 min
“You’re gonna have to go through me.” There’s a familiar phrase from the movies. A defender places themself between the attacker and their intended target and announces, “If you plan to hurt him, you’re going to have to go through me first!” This image probably isn’t the one that comes to mind when Jesus says, “I Am the Gate,”or “I Am the Door.” But it’s just one part of the comfort that is ours in this reassuring announcement from our Savior.
May 05, 2023•5 min
One day, our scars – the reminders of our foolishness, our failures and frailty – will be gone. But these scars our Savior showed the disciples are a 'badge of honor.' They’re the welcome reminder of our Savior’s triumph over sin and death.
May 03, 2023•5 min
In describing the early days of the Christian Church, Paul tells us, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” It’s hard not to be wistful hearing these words as we’re told that each year fewer and fewer people attend church or claim to be Christian. Attempts to reverse this trend over the decades have ranged from careful programs to gimmicks. So, it’s interesting to back up a few verses and see what was taking place when Luke recorded this growth. While it may not sound...
May 01, 2023•5 min
“God, help me. Please show Yourself to me.” Has this prayer every crossed your lips when you’ve found yourself in danger, guilt or despair? It may surprise you to hear how our risen Savior answers this prayer and where He directs our attention. Episode artwork by Jan van't Hoff courtesy of FreeBibleImages.com . Used by permission.
Apr 28, 2023•5 min
Have you ever found yourself puzzled by the promises of Scripture and how they tie into the events of Good Friday and Easter? If you have, you're note alone. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus, on Easter, found themselves in a similar situation. They knew God’s Word, they’d heard it and read it, but it didn’t seem to come together and make sense. However, with patience and love, Jesus showed them from Scripture how His death on the cross was necessary. Our crucified and risen Savior is the k...
Apr 26, 2023•5 min
For the two disciples, on their way to Emmaus, Jesus' death on the cross didn't fit with their misplaced expectations of what He came to accomplish. It appeared that everything they had hoped for was lost. What they were expecting had gone up in smoke. Not surprisingly, the misplaced expectations that many have for Jesus today experience a similar end. And it often leads to confusion, disillusionment and loss of faith. But look at how Jesus carefully, and lovingly, reminds us of what the Gospel ...
Apr 24, 2023•5 min
John must have been amazed to witness so many of our Savior’s miracles. And in the Gospel, he gives us a "snapshot," so to speak, of a number of them. But John recognized that these events were not simply random fireworks to dazzle and amaze. Each of them had a purpose. In this verse, the apostle tells us why they’ve been recorded, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and with such great care.
Apr 21, 2023•5 min
Have you ever watched those famous scenes from the airport? You know, the ones where folks gather at the Arrivals gate, eager to greet their family and friends. Happy faces spot one another. Hands wave to get their attention. And then shouts of glee can be heard, and hugs and kisses follow. It’s a joyful scene. So, why is it that we may imagine a different picture when it comes to our eternal life and arrival in heaven?
Apr 19, 2023•5 min
Our Savior's resurrection assures us of that day when you, me and all believers in Christ will rise when He comes again in glory. It’s hard to imagine what that day will be like, but some things are abundantly clear. Will we be able to hug one another and all our loved ones who have departed in the faith? I'm looking forward to it!
Apr 17, 2023•5 min
Next month, the Canadian Tulip festival gets underway in the nation’s capital, Ottawa. But there’s a fascinating story that goes along with those blooms. All those bulbs are planted each year in mid to late October. There they rest, hidden in the ground, until the following Spring. You and I aren’t much different than those dusty tulip bulbs - not much to look at. Right now, it’s hard to see the splendor to come. Paul describes it this way: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ ...
Apr 14, 2023•5 min
Today, funerals are often referred to as "A Celebration of Life," but they may be simply a look back at a life that's now over. What follows then is a limp encouragement to remember all those times so that we can "keep them alive in our hearts." However, that misses the best part. It overlooks an incredible promise from God and what it means that you and I have a risen Savior. Through faith, you and I, and our loved ones who have died in faith, have real life with Him right now. Easter is a cele...
Apr 12, 2023•5 min
"With fear and great joy." Isn’t that an interesting phrase to describe the reaction of the women who ran from the empty tomb on Easter morning to tell the disciples? And yet the Holy Spirit, who inspired Matthew's record of these events, ensured that he included these very words for you and me to hear as we celebrate our Savior's resurrection. It’s no accident. They point to something that’s too good to miss. Episode Artwork courtesy of FreeBibleImages.com Used with permission....
Apr 10, 2023•5 min
Strong words. So why did Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, describe the Gospel this way? Why is it so important to describe the message of salvation with the stark and strong words, “Christ crucified”?
Apr 07, 2023•5 min
When describing what our Savior has done for you and me, Paul uses an interesting phrase here in Philippians. And it’s one that really brings into focus the events of Holy Week leading up to Good Friday and Easter – and what Jesus has accomplished for you and me.
Apr 05, 2023•5 min
Is Palm Sunday an overhyped parade? If Psalm Sunday is celebrated, while ignoring what’s to follow on Good Friday, it can become little more than a spiritual version of a 'tailgate party,' a pep rally to get us revved up for Easter. But it's more than that. Palm Sunday is joyous reminder of why our loving Savior came and it brings into clear focus what the joyous celebration of Easter is all about.
Apr 03, 2023•5 min
Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day. And while it's a fun occasion to see if folks can fool others into believing something absurd, few would like to admit that they’re the one’s who have been fooled. We’d like to think that we’re smarter than that. At least, that’s what the Greeks of Paul’s day thought. And, like them, many today write off the message of the cross and resurrection of the body as foolishness. But hold that thought. Hear what the apostle assures us has come about by Jesus' crucifixion, ...
Mar 31, 2023•5 min
Earlier in the Gospel, John records how Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha. If you notice, he never recorded what had for lunch that afternoon. And on this day, as she and Jesus stood outside the tomb of her brother Lazarus, Martha may not have remembered what was cooking on the stove then either. But she did remember something that proved to be much more valuable – the precious words that Jesus shared with her that day. Is there anything holding you back from worship with your family thi...
Mar 29, 2023•5 min
In Ezekiel, the prophet describes for us a vision of dry bones that God connected before him – but these weren’t dinosaur bones being readied for a museum exhibit. These were human bones and this was more than a display that you might see in a museum. What Ezekiel saw before him was a remarkable promise – for him and for you and me.
Mar 27, 2023•5 min
Soon after landline phones started to disappear a new dilemma was discovered. And maybe you’ve experienced it. Have you lost your phone in your own home? You had it just a moment ago, but now you can’t find it. Whenever this happens to me it comes to the point where I finally have to bring this embarrassing request to my wife. And perhaps it's a request that you've made to someone close to you as well.
Mar 24, 2023•5 min
In recent years, folks have been paying more attention to their wake-up routines. Suggestions are given to such beneficial activities such as throwing open the curtains to let the sun shine in. As a means of reducing stress, and putting the days events in order, encouragement is given to set aside some time for mindfulness and meditation. But did you know that having a morning routine such as this has actually been around for some time? In fact, Paul points to one here in Ephesians.
Mar 22, 2023•5 min
For crying out loud! Chances are good that when someone’s annoyed, you may have heard them use this phrase. The season of Lent reminds us that there's a time for crying out loud, but for a number of different reasons.
Mar 20, 2023•5 min
Back in 1983, PBS launched a show with the goal of encouraging children to read. It was called “Reading Rainbow,” and it was hosted by television and movie star, LeVar Burton. Each episode focused on a topic from the featured children’s book for that day. And having piqued the curiosity of his young audience, he would wrap it all up with what became a signature phrase of the show, “But, don’t take my word for it.” John tells us of a woman, who having met Jesus, went home to tell everyone back in...
Mar 17, 2023•5 min
Photo filters provide a quick and easy way to enhance your images on social media to give you that unrealistic and glossy look of a movie star. The hope is to hide the sun damage to our skin, wrinkles brought on by age, dark circles under eyes from lack of sleep, scars, freckles, acne, blemishes and more. However, the thing about a filter such as this is that it doesn’t actually undo the blemishes. It simply pretends that they’re not there. Lent reminds us that we have a Savior who has something...
Mar 15, 2023•5 min
It's been observed in recent years that the level of anger in our culture seems to have increased. Perhaps you’ve noticed it, too. So, the climate of discontent, that Moses describes here among God’s people in Exodus, doesn’t sound that much different from what you and I are experiencing today. But it's not always easy to distinguish anger from fear. Fear and worry tend to trigger anger. So, what was it that was making the people afraid? Moses puts his finger on it when he goes on to quote the q...
Mar 13, 2023•5 min
