Writing to Help You Find and Share the Hope of Jesus
In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus shared a story of a servant who owed his king an impossible debt. Jesus said his debt was ten thousand talents (Matt 18:24). Now, one talent alone was an incredibly large amount. It was about twenty years wages for a typical laborer at that time. So 10,000 talents … Continue reading Our Impossible Debt
Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' Matthew 16:24 This week is my wife’s and my 22nd wedding anniversary. When I think back on the kid I was 22 years ago, I realize I had absolutely no idea what … Continue reading How Do We Live With Jesus As King?
“[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.” Luke 18:9 Jesus warned us about self-righteousness. He made it clear to us that trusting in our own righteousness would never bring us into a right relationship with God. He also made the connection that … Continue reading The Logic Of Self-Righteousness
A common phrase we hear today is “God loves you exactly as you are.” This statement is both 100 percent correct, yet so often used in 100 percent the wrong way. On one hand, this statement is absolutely true. God absolutely loves you exactly the way you are right now. He knew you and the … Continue reading Since God Loves You As You Are, He Won’t Leave You As You Are
"...to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ."Colossians 2:2 A couple weeks ago I had one last meeting with a guy I’ve been meeting with almost weekly through ATLAS for the past few years. During that meeting he said, “I really thought I’d be … Continue reading God Makes Growth Possible … And Five Other Truths About Growing In Christ From Colossians 2
Pray without ceasing1 Thessalonians 5:17 When my family and I moved back to Minnesota from South Dakota in 2012, we were searching for a house and there was one my wife Marie and I liked but wasn’t on the market yet. Our realtor knew the owners were thinking about listing it though, so she showed … Continue reading In Every Season – Pray
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.Colossians 1:13-14 NOTE: This post was adapted from a sermon I shared for The Fortress's weekly gathering at Harvest Church on June 16, 2021. In Marvel’s … Continue reading The Awe That Only Rescue Can Bring
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”Revelation 5:12 John the Baptist says to the priests and Levites in John 1:26-27, “[A]mong you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I … Continue reading The Worthiness Of Jesus Lived Out For The Unworthy
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."John 5:39-40 John 5 is an important warning on the danger of religious blindness. The chapter starts alongside the pool of … Continue reading Don’t Miss This: The Danger of Religious Blindness
“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”Psalm 119:133 In Psalm 119, the Psalmist prays, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133) Dictionary.com defines “dominion” as: the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority.rule; … Continue reading The Grip of Sin or The Grace of the Savior: Who Has Dominion?
A Thrill of Hope 