Jesus

Have you ever been in this scenario? You’re out with family or friends, and someone generously picks up the tab for everyone. For many of us, this is a difficult gift to receive. We politely protest, or we offer to at least pay the tip. If those don’t work, we make sure to return the favor later. And sometimes, it’s actually expected that we return the favor. But God doesn’t work like that. God’s Free Gift: A Debt Paid God has also paid the tab for us, but this time on a much

I’m nearly 40 now, so I’m almost, or maybe already, in the technical range of being called middle-aged. Where has the time gone?! I had a realization a few months ago that I think was confirmed recently while hanging out with friends. When we were younger, there always seemed to be so much to look forward to and strive for. What do I want to be when I grow up? Will I find a spouse? What things do I want to see and accomplish in my life? As time went on, we started checking ma

Just wanted to share a quick self-reflection in case it resonates with you as well. This verse struck me the other night: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are

The other day, a thought popped into my head about the criminal on the cross—the one Jesus said would be with Him in paradise the day they were crucified next to each other. Here’s the scripture: 32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not wh

What do you think it means to be a Christian? Pause and reflect for a moment. When I was younger, my answer would have had something to...

The word “gospel” is used a lot, and it is the foundation of the Christian faith. But, what does it actually mean? What is the Gospel? Well, the word literally means “good news.” When used in reference to Christianity, it represents what we believe to be the best news to ever happen. However, to fully understand what the Gospel is, it’s important to talk about why it is good news in the first place. The Hard Truth In life, any good news is usually good because there is bad ne

John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by work

Matthew 9:9-13 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:25-27 Have you noticed that passions are fleeting? I know mine are. The things I was passionate about when I was younger don’t really matter to me anymore. Some things I was pas