Purity of Heart is a tall order! King David writes in one of his songs about that. “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24:3-4) His point is that it isn’t enough to appear good on the outside. We need to have an inward purity, a purity of heart. That Psalm
Read MoreRighteousness is a uniquely Christian word whose definition sometimes eludes us. Here are several ways it is used in Scripture.
First, righteousness refers to the ‘mighty acts of God’ with regards to God’s saving work. The best example is the constant reference in the Bible of the righteousness of God exhibited in His deliverance of the Righteousness
Read MoreThe beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) have been one of the most meditated upon scripture passages in the New Testament. Each beatitude is short, uses simple language, yet is packed with profound meaning as to what it means to live a life in God.
Read MoreThis is the season of Epiphany when we celebrate the Magi coming to worship Jesus. According to scholars and tradition, the Magi traveled between one and two months. They travelled over mountains, crossed raging waters, and hot deserts. They were like the man in Jesus’ parables who found a pearl of great price and gladly sold
Read MoreResolutions worth keeping are ones that God inspires and empowers for the transformation of our character. God doesn’t want us to make our own agenda for what we want in 2023. He has better plans that will make us healthier, more impactful, and happier people. How does God want to transform you in 2023? Is there a virtue that He wants
Read MoreHow do you get ready for Christmas? Put up a tree, lights, and buy presents? We exhaust ourselves running to stores, parties, and special events. In trying to do so much we can fail to ‘make ready’ in the most important ways. In the Gospel of Luke, Gabriel appeared to Zechariah the temple and told him that he would have a son,
Read More“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about.” Mt 1:18
This seems like a straightforward intro to Jesus’ biography. We’ve heard it many times and, like so many other verses, it loses the power of its impact. Names have always been very important. My boys are named for family members and a Christian leader: Wesley Christopher, Nathanael Paul, and Abigail Angeline. Names honor the
Read MoreWhat would it take for you to know someone loves you? We really only know that by the sacrifices they make for us; sacrifices of time, resources, convenience, and walking with us through difficulties.
I was blessed with a wonderfully encouraging and supportive dad. I always knew my dad loved me, however; there was a time that showed me the extent of his love. I was entering my sophomore year at Wheaton College.
Read MoreIt all started a long, long time ago in a land far, far away. God did not first come on the scene when Mary gave birth to Jesus. The whole arc of salvation began in Genesis with Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were made in the image of God to have a full, flourishing relationship with Him. Of course, they thought they were missing out when the
Read MoreThe Psalmist captures the spirit of trust and gratitude. ‘The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand & satisfy the desires of every living thing.’(Ps.145:15-16) This is a beautiful vision of all living creatures looking to God for sustenance. I picture baby birds in a nest cheeping and opening their
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