Have you ever asked these questions: “I’ve been a Christian nearly my whole life, but I’m constantly disappointed in myself.”, “Why is it that I always seem to keep doing the things I wish I didn’t do and never seem to do the things I know I should do?”, “Isn’t God getting tired of me…”? 

That’s a common struggle that even the apostle Paul experienced in Romans 7:15. I believe many who ask these questions are caught in the discouragement trap.  But here’s some good news: we don’t have to stay in that trap of discouragement. To paraphrase Paul as he writes in Romans 8, the key is to stop focusing on the law and start focusing on Jesus. Hallelujah!

Today remember the law, or us, can’t do anything about our sinfulness. The answer is not to try harder to be good at keeping rules – that’s the beginning of the discouragement trap. Instead, we must focus on the One who shows us mercy and loves us regardless and cooperate with the Spirit who changes us. Focusing on the law, will constantly remind us that we’ll never be good enough to deserve God’s grace. Fox cus on Jesus, and we’ll become more like Him, and will trade discouragement for encouragement and receive the freedom that Jesus brings.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do (Romans 7:15).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I sometimes get caught in the cycle of trying harder to be good, failing, getting discouraged, and giving up. Help me Lord, to depend on Your grace and to draw near to You, so that You can change my heart. God, I’m so sorry for putting the law above You which has allowed me to live by works and not Your grace. Today I choose to focus on Jesus and trade my discouragement for encouragement. In His name I pray! Amen.

 

In Acts chapter 16, we learn about a slave girl who was bound to men who used her to make a lot of money. They found she had an evil spirit by which she predicted the future, so they used her for “fortune-telling.”

Whatever that spirit was, it knew that Paul and his friends were “servants of the Most High God,” and it moved her to pester the new missionaries in town. This slave girl connected with the gospel of Jesus by way of surprise. Paul grew so annoyed by her carrying on that he told the spirit to leave her “in the name of Jesus Christ”. Immediately she was free, Hallelujah! Not just from her demonic master but from her human ones too. She experienced Christ’s power as an unexpected gift.

In scripture, Paul walked and talked the gospel, bringing radical change and setting her free. She no longer fit into an exploitative system. The gospel changed her life and upset the social balance, and that stirred up trouble for Paul and Silas.

Today, some people try to stuff the church into limiting categories and definitions. But the dynamic church, true to the gospel, cannot be contained by secular rules or laws. The gospel brings personal and social change. Jesus brings salvation that triumphs through losing, prospers through giving, and leads through serving. When Jesus’ power comes into our life, we do not look at people or social status in the same way. We begin to see everyone and everything with Jesus’ eyes of love and justice.

“In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” Acts 16:18.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for coming to set captives free and caring for the poor. Thank you for replacing the annoying devil from my life. Thank you for removing me from the exploitative system the enemy operates. And thank you for setting me free from that limited Christian mindset that seeks to define your Spirit. Help us not to compare your kingdom to any earthly secular organization, in Christ’s name. Amen.

“How foolish you are, and how slow to believe … !” Wow! What strong hash words from Jesus. Words like these can make people defensive, mad, or upset.

He spoke these words to wake up his disciples and give them a new understanding of life. The disciples needed to move from a place of blindness to a place of sight. They saw the death of Jesus as an obstacle and a loss, while it was the greatest victory in the history of mankind. They had heard that Jesus was alive again, risen from the dead, but they were stuck in the past, a place of complaining and could not see that Jesus had enabled them to receive the gift of life. They needed strong harsh medicine to heal their spiritual blindness.

Today we are just as blind as Jesus’s disciples, and we need some strong words from God to wake us up. As God’s people, we are part of a fearful story, and we often live as if this world is all there is. We are so captured by what we can see that we miss the unseen. He wants to join us on the road like he did his disciples and explain his word to us, his presence should illuminate our minds and set our hearts burning. So that new possibilities open up as we recognize him and all he has done to give us a new life.

“How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Luke 24:25 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I confess my spiritual blindness and hardened heart that have blocked our connection. Father, open the eyes of my heart so that I can see who you really are and that you want me to live abundantly. Receive me, I pray Lord, in Christ’s name. Amen.

The word slave sends shivers down my spine. Because I can’t get those visions of the worse atrocity known to man out of my head. But the phrases in Romans 1, which says “a servant of Christ.” is easier to handle. In The Message Bible and most, contemporary versions of the Bible says, “I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment. . . .” That makes me shudder.

Paul calls himself a slave. He was sold out to his master, willing to die for him. Not because of torcher but because his master first gave his life for him. And because of love, he was a devoted slave on assignment to let the world know about what his master had done. Paul wasn’t just a member of some new church movement. He wasn’t just a theologian trying to make sense of new ideas he had come across. He wasn’t just a preacher looking for an audience. Paul was a devoted slave of Someone who was not just anyone but the Lord of Heaven and Earth who gave up all so that a sinner like Paul could have life abundant life.

Today, as we think about Paul who the bible says is a Roman citizen – addressing himself as a slave demands attention. Paul is unbashful about his connection to Jesus as a slave for his kingdom. His identification as a slave highlights his appreciation and relationship with Christ. That makes me ask, “How do I identify with Jesus?” because that’s what the Christian faith is all about, first and foremost who are you to Jesus and why do you identify in that way?

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus . . . Romans 1:1 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, the attractions, and distractions of my life can lure me from being devoted to you. Father, help me to grow, becoming totally sold out to You. Lord teach me how to be a slave for your kingdom seeing your presence and work everywhere, so I can stay connected with who you are. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Whether it be a birthday or Christmas we all like gifts. Have you ever heard these words from a child or spouse, “I want one of these, and one of these, and …”? They go on and on, turning the pages of a catalogue. We all have our wants and wish lists. The problem is that what we want is seldom what we really need and it’s not always good for us. Too often our wants reflect our selfishness and greed.

Humans have a hunger that cannot be satisfied apart from God. We may try to fill that gap, but our soul’s longing will remain. The author of Ecclesiastes realises that all our pursuits, things, pleasures, even wisdom and work are meaningless without God. We are created by God and for God. To live apart from God is emptiness.

In the scriptures, Zechariah praises God not because God fulfils a wish list but because God meets our deepest needs. Zechariah’s song is a litany of praise for God’s redeeming work.

Today, though we alienated ourselves from God, God has come to us. Christ has redeemed us, purchasing our freedom from the slavery of sin. Jesus saved us from our enemies. God has kept his promises and remains faithful to his people. Jesus has made us holy and righteous. Our lives are filled with meaning and purpose as God empowers us for service.

Join me in saying Thank you Lord Jesus.

Praise be to the Lord … because he has come to his people and redeemed them (Luke 1:68).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, forgive me for pursuing my wants with greed and selfishness. Father, help us to focus our lives on you, as we praise you for meeting our deepest needs. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

It’s normal for most Christians to want to share their faith. And I’ve learned that there are two ways to do that: prescriptively and descriptively.

Prescriptive sharing of faith involves offering advice about what people should do to deal with difficulties they may be having. This is similar to what a doctor does when writing a prescription for medication to help with a problem. Prescriptive sharing usually sounds something like “Here’s what you should do about your situation.” It often results in a lot of defensiveness because, frankly, most people don’t want to be told what to do.

Descriptive sharing of faith can often be more helpful. It involves telling someone what worked for you. Instead of saying, “Here’s what you should do,” you’re simply saying, “Here’s what helped me.”

Today, most people find it less threatening to hear you describe your own faith experience. Instead of sounding like a salesperson, you’re more like a friend with a story. No one can argue with your experience about how God is working in your life. Do you know anyone who might want to hear about how God has worked in your life? Ask God to help you sense an opportunity to do so. Can you share your story? Ask God to help you say the right words at the right time.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, show me who needs to hear what you have done in my life. Father, help me to share honestly and with your love to anyone who will listen in Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Just like the parable of the mustard seed, the parable of the yeast also points to something small that produces amazing results. But in Israel, yeast often represented sin, contamination, and evil. Did Jesus intend to speak of yeast that way in this parable? Apparently, he did.

The Bible says, only bread without yeast could be used at Israel’s feasts and the smoke of yeasted bread was unacceptable to God. Jesus had also warned against the yeast of the Pharisees, citing their hypocrisy as yeast. And Paul also wrote, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be part of a new unleavened batch”. Leaven (yeast) was regularly identified with the pervasiveness of sin and wickedness. So, mentioning yeast in a parable about God’s kingdom would catch the Jewish audience off guard. What was Jesus saying? It didn’t sound like he was talking about sanctified bread!

Today, just like in scripture, Jesus often used shocking imagery to make a point. God could use even something despised to produce great results in his kingdom. In the parable of the yeast, Jesus may well have been saying that a despised group of former fishermen, prostitutes, and tax collectors could permeate the dead lump of religious, judgemental, Judaism with the good news of the kingdom of God. And if God could use yeast, he can certainly use you and me!

“The kingdom of God … is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour.” (Luke 13:20-21).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, you who use the sinful, contaminated, and unexpected in your plans, please use me for your Kingdom to carry out your purposes and to spread your glory. Father thank you for looking past my messed up sinful state and calling me son. God, may your Kingdom keep spreading throughout your world. In Christ’s name, Amen.

The books of the gospels focus on Jesus’ public ministry. For three years, he taught about the kingdom of God, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even raised the dead. But before any of that, for thirty years, Jesus lived in the family home. And for most of those years, he worked with his earthly father Joseph in the family business.

Scripture says, Joseph was a carpenter just like my dad. Someone who worked with wood. The original language is not clear on what aspect of carpentry. What is clear is that Joseph was a builder of some sort. So he worked with his hands and tools, perhaps making farm implements and furniture or laying foundations. And Jesus did the same thing.

Today, we think about Jesus’ early year’s, where many people knew him as a teacher and miracle worker. They were in awe of him. But to the people in his hometown, he was the carpenter’s son, a guy who worked with tools in his hands. We have the opposite problem. We know Jesus as the Son of God. And we can lose sight of his genuine humanity. But for most of his years, Jesus lived his life as an ordinary person, went to school, worked with his dad and was tempted but without sin. Perhaps Jesus’ life began with building physical objects to teach of the time when he would build lives from the decay of sin. His church as a place of refuge, and prepare a place for all who put their faith in him.

Isn’t this the carpenter? Mark 6:3 

Let’s Pray

Jesus, you are the Holy Son of God, and we praise you. You are also the human son of Mary and Joseph the carpenter, with tools in your hands not just to build objects but lives. Today I invite you to fix my broken place, set me morally straight, and make me functional to aid men and woman for your kingdom. Please take me and make something wonderful out of my life in your name, Amen.

Last week we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus at Eastertime (what the world calls it), we heard about the Easter bunny, eggs, and chocolate. Those old secular traditions have nothing to do with Jesus’ gift of a new life for all who believe in him. But they can be distracting if we forget to focus on God’s amazing love shown to us through the death and rising of his Son, Jesus Christ.

When we look at Christs’ shed blood, it may make us uncomfortable. Perhaps we would rather focus on nicer, sweeter things like chocolate or some other treat. But the sacrifice of Christ is the only thing that could pay the debt for our sins and give us peace within. There is no redemption through chocolate eggs.

Today, may we be clear that our redemption did not come through chocolate, but from sin and death through the shed blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. As we saw earlier this month in the Passover, when God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, the sacrificed lamb of the Passover pointed ahead to the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s only Son. He became “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”. By his death we have life. By his shed blood we are set free and cleansed from all sin!

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  Romans 5:9.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, forgive me for placing worldly, distracting things above your sacrifice. Father, you have freed me from my sin through the blood of Christ shed on the cross for my sake. Through His death, I can now enjoy full life in you – which is more enjoyable than chocolate. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

More frequently than ever, I am hearing the cry “Is there any hope?” Many of us have had that thought at one time or another, referencing an image of someone drowning – crying out for help.

In Psalm 130, the sense of hopelessness is made worse because the psalmist knows the reason for the brokenness of life: sin. It is not that God failed, but we have failed God. The psalmist also knows the source of hope: God himself. God in his mercy offers real hope, not the wishful thinking we often see these days. Human hope falls short and fails; hope in God “does not put us to shame” Romans 5 says.

Many ask me why is God’s hope sure?

The psalmist points to God’s unfailing love, unchanging word, and full redemption. In advent, we see the depths to which God went for our sake. In his unfailing love, God gave his only Son to be our saviour. Fulfilling God’s word, Jesus the Word of God came in the flesh to reveal God and bring salvation. This salvation brings not only the forgiveness of our sins but also full redemption and a future where the consequences of sin are fully removed. Christ Jesus is our hope!

Today when the night is at its darkest, we can put our hope in the Lord. The dawn is coming because Jesus came and promised us, He will come again. That is our greatest hope. His promises never fail.

Christ Jesus [is] our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, you are the hope of the hopeless, the help of the helpless. Father, I praise you for answering my deepest need through Christ Jesus my hope, in whose name I pray. Amen.

I knew someone who wanted glasses so bad that they would fake being partially blind. In the Old Testament, we see that the prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s coming judgment. God is tired of his people’s disobedience and sends Isaiah with the harsh message: “You have a choice: Go on deliberately not seeing and hearing or turn from your wicked ways and be healed.”

Israel’s deliberate blindness blocked their healing and led to their exile to a distant land. However, there was a glimmer of hope: the bible says “The holy seed will be the stump in the land.” In other words, If you cut down a tree and leave the stump, new growth can sprout from it. God does not give up on his people.

Jesus quotes Isaiah’s mysterious words as he offers hope He sees new growth on the stump and says to his disciples, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear”. Paul also refers to Isaiah’s words when he meets resistance from Jewish leaders in Rome and they deliberately rejected the good news of salvation through Jesus. Paul then concludes, “God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”.

Today, it may seem, at first, that God blocks our healing. But that’s not true, it’s our deliberate blinding of sin. But if we follow scripture, we see that God longs for his people to turn to him, hate sin and be healed.

“Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Isaiah 6:10.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, open my eyes and ears, that I may see and hear you’re voice. Father give me understanding of your good news, and guide me to prepare for your coming. By loving you and others and staying away from presumptuous sin. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

As I travel the world and look at the youth I minister to daily, I can’t but help but think on how God has blessed us with creativity. Creativity is part of the image of God given to human beings, and sadly, we have put our creativity to use to destroy as much of the rest of God’s image in us as possible. That’s what our passage today in Romans is talking about.

God has always been there for us, He blesses us in so many ways. Yet we want his blessing but don’t want Him. We would rather choose evil. Our constant pursuit of sin turns us away from God. We want to pursue bad things, and if we want to pursue good, we want to do it our evil way or for our agenda.

Today as I read the opening chapter of Romans, I see an angry Paul. He is angry about all the evil that people have done in the world. Then in chapter 2 he has a moment of clear thought. Every person has had some part in creating some kind of sin that has been brought into the world, and if any of us think we can judge another, we are condemning ourselves. But God has been merciful to forgive us and show us a better way. And since God has been kind to us, we can and must spread that kindness to everyone else by creating more good than evil.

They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil. —  Romans 1:29-31.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, please constantly remind me that I should be a creator of good instead of evil. Father help me to always believe that your way is better than my old evil way. God, show me your kindness, forbearance, and patience, as I battle through this sinful life. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Our God has consistently defeated the enemy, from Eden to Calvary, and will continue to till the second coming. One time this has been noted, was in the biblical story of Esther. The Jews had escaped Haman’s plot of destruction. Haman (the enemy) had fallen into the hole he had dug for others, and many of his followers were destroyed on the day decreed for the Jewish annihilation. That day was celebrated as the day of relief from the enemy. Not just a one-time celebration, Purim was to continue through generations. Feasting, joy, gifts to one another and the poor, marked this day every year, up to this very day among Jews.

 

As Christians, we too observe a time of year when we remember the day the devil plotted Christ’s destruction and failed. And with great joy, we celebrate the day of Christ’s victory over God’s enemy. As instructed by Christ, we are to gather as often as possible at the Lord’s table to remember His gifts of body and blood, offered so all who believe in Him may live. Week by week and year by year, we Christians are reminded to be joyful because death nor the enemy no longer has any power over us.

 

Today, the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday, and Easter are celebrations of what God has done for us and continues to do through Christ our messiah. What a mighty God! And because of calvary, the enemy has lost eternally. Today as Christians, let us begin to enjoy our eternal rest from the enemy, as we await the final return of the Lord Jesus.

These days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. — Esther 9:28 

 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I praise you, my God, for giving me relief and rest from the enemy. Hallelujah! Father, help me to be faithful and honour you by sharing this good news every­where I go. In Christ name, Amen.

As I was packing for this current trip, I wasn’t sure what clothes to take. Thought about the weather, the people and what their expectations are. Self-help books are well known for this bit of advice: Dress for success. “Do you want to have a dream career”, they say? Are you longing for fulfilling relationships? Well, one thing they say you must do is dress for success!

I heard of a college graduate who had several job interviews lined up. He would dry-clean his whole business suit before every interview. He wanted to look perfect to land his dream job. I don’t know if the dry cleaning helped, but he got a job offer.

In today’s Bible passage, the apostle Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with Christ. Is this something as superficial as a “dress for success” mantra? Of course not! Paul is talking here about having Jesus’ work in every aspect of our lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we need to put aside our sinful actions and behave decently in every area of life. That means no things like drunkenness, sexual immorality, fighting with others, or selfishness.

Today Paul encourages us to wrap ourselves in Christ. We need to show outwardly what has taken place inwardly. Christ’s grace is compared to the versatile Middle Eastern robe that keeps you cool in the hot sun and warm during cold desert nights. That’s what we need in our journey of life. Christ is our best “attire” to protect us from temptations and to help us witness to others about God’s love.

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus … and do not think about how to gratify the … sinful nature. Romans 13:14 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, cleanse our hearts from sin so that we may clothe ourselves with Christ from head to toe. His love, goodness, and kindness. Father help us to be your faithful followers and witnesses at all times in Christ’s name, Amen!

To the typical everyday Christian, the Cross is a symbol of victory. But this Good Friday, just like when Christ died, doesn’t feel good at all. We reflect on Jesus’ death on the cross and think of the suffering He had to go through. Then we turn our attention to today, with millions of our loved ones dying or suffering, this Friday doesn’t feel good, or like we are in a position of victory.

When we think about the cross and our current situation, it may look like evil has triumphed over good, the powerful over the powerless, but that’s not the truth. Jesus’ death on the cross was good overpowering evil. Jesus was triumphing. When He cried out, ‘It is finished’ (some translations say, ‘it is completed’), He didn’t mean, ‘I’m finished, My cause is defeated.’ Far from being crushed, Jesus triumphed over the powers of darkness. Hallelujah!

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers, authorities, and all their evil antics. He shamed them publicly, physically, and spiritually through His victory over them and changed how we could relate to God. No longer would we be bound by sin and shame; instead, He paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be right with God. Love triumphed over the law. The Bible says “and three days later the empty tomb proved Christ had won the victory over death”.

Today, on this Good Friday, Christ’s victory over evil on the cross, gives us hope that evil won’t win. Wars, politicians, or viruses won’t determine the end of this world, or who will be in the resurrection. Whatever we’re facing, we know we can be victorious, because Christ was victorious. Christ says, ‘In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Sin, shame, and struggles won’t overcome us because He has already overcome them all’. So, this Good Friday, let’s remember that the cross and death weren’t the end – Jesus rose and because He did, we will.

 

‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NIV).  

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, on this Good Friday give Your people Your peace, that we may shine brightly in this dark and evil world. Father, grant us the courage to live faithfully even during hard times. Let our fear of You be the beginning of wisdom, rather than allowing the fear of the world to drive our actions. God, help us to embrace our heavenly citizenship, and live confidently in a world that needs to know You. Father, show Your mercy and heal those who are suffering. Most of all God, come. Restore the world You have made and make all things new. God, on this Good Friday, please grant us your goodness. We pray that Your will be done, in Christ’s most Holy Name! Amen.

One of our preachers travelled to Greece to retrace the footsteps of the apostle Paul. Near Philippi our guide pointed out a tumulus—a burial mound disguised to look like a hill. After years of effort, the archaeologist discovered the tumulus of Phillip II, ruler of Macedon in that region. As he held the golden chest containing the bones of that famous king, he said, “I can hardly believe it!”

I’ve got good news, you could spend ten lifetimes trying to find Jesus’ bones, but you would never succeed. Jesus was crucified and buried, but he did not stay in the grave. He arose! By his resurrection, he frees us from the guilt of sin and even from the power of death. Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.

Joe Moser while in a prison during World War II, recalled how a tank roared toward the main gate and tore through barbed wire on the day of his liberation. He writes, “There was a stunned moment … then a roar went up from the camp that rolled through the acres down the narrow muddy corridor.” Only those who have been set free can know that roar of relief, joy, and exhilaration.

Today and throughout this season let the roar of freedom fill your heart and home and all the corridors of your community. Let it wash over the sin and brokenness of life with healing and restoration. Why? Because Christ the Lord is risen!

Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, may the joy I received through your gift of freedom at Calvary be evident to all. Father, thank you for your selfless sacrifice just for me, in Jesus’ Name Amen.