Search results

Humanity has given up the role God made them for. The rest of the biblical story is about God’s mission to undo this tragedy, so that humans can regain access to the heaven on earth place, where they can finally become God’s royal priests. The story all begins with a promise that God makes to...

Israel’s God explicitly commanded them to not make any idol images, because in the Bible, all humanity is God’s image. Adam and Eve, in Hebrew, their names mean human “Adam” and life “Eve,” they’re called God’s image, which means they represent God in his Holy space. That Holy space is a garden...

Luke 15:11-32, that is why Jesus said the tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the Kingdom ahead of the Pharisees, not because their sin was smaller, because their awareness of their sin was bigger and awareness is the door to repentance and repentance is the door to the feast. Be...

In the Greek New Testament, Paul develops this portrait of humans as “trust breakers,” using the word “paraptoma.” Paul recalls the story in Genesis about “Adam,” that means “humanity” in Hebrew. In that story, humanity breaks trust with God and seizes authority to discern good and evil on their...

Here’s a realization, every choice is eternal the moment you make it and this is why regret is so powerful, because regret is the soul remembering that nothing truly disappears, but goodness is stronger than darkness, because goodness continues to exist forever, you are never living just for the...

Luke 15:11-32, the father in the parable ran to the son, God in history ran to you through a manger, through a cross, through an empty tomb, running, always running toward the broken, toward the lost, toward the ones who smell like pigs and have rehearsed speeches about how they are not worthy...

Luke 15:11-32, you are always with me. The greatest gift was not the robe or the ring or the feast, the greatest gift was the father’s presence and both sons missed it. Consider this, right now, not theoretically, practically, if God took away the answer to your biggest prayer, the promotion...

We want God involved, but only on our terms, we want him to bless our plans instead of reshaping them and every time it leads to frustration and spiritual stagnation. Living this way creates a life of uncertainty, we never feel grounded, we’re always reacting instead of responding, every...

This principle can be seen in Acts 4:13, the apostles spoke and lived boldly for Jesus, people recognized that something about them was different, their lives reflected the influence of Jesus so clearly, that others could see it. A believer who lives with honesty, humility and faithfulness, may...

A person’s presence can bring a sense of conviction, even when very little is said, this does not mean that the believer is judging others or trying to make people uncomfortable. Rather, the Bible teaches that the presence of truth and righteousness naturally reveals the difference between light...

Ephesians 5:11 brings an instruction that disturbs many people, the word expose, which means to expose, reveal, bring to light, Paul is not calling the believer to a posture of arrogant judgment over others, he is speaking of something more subtle and powerful. The simple presence of an integral...

Matthew 11:30, when Jesus invites you to take his yoke, he is inviting you to step inside that wooden beam with him, he is the strong, experienced partner, he is offering to carry the crushing weight of your life. This is the profound secret of Christian resilience, you are strong, because you...

Ephesians 5:2, the imitation of God does not manifest in power, authority or demonstrations of spiritual strength, it manifests in love that spends itself, that serves, that supports, that does not keep track of the coast. In the midst of the chaos of evil days, broken relationships, daily...

There is an instruction in Ephesians 5:1 that seems impossible at first reading, imitate God, not admire him from a distance, not just obey him out of obligation, but imitate him, reproduce in daily life something of the character of the one who created the universe. This instruction only makes...

Ephesians 4:29, the word corrupt here, literally means rotten, corrupted, without value, Paul is speaking of all forms of language that contaminates, that destroys, that produces nothing good. This includes profanity, obscene jokes, gossip, slander, words of discouragement, destructive...

Matthew 11:28, the modern world constantly tells you that the key to strength is absolute independence, you are taught from a young age to pull yourself up, to never ask for help and to carry your own weight, you believe that if you just push a little harder and work a little longer, you can...

Matthew 26:21, the mental stronghold of deep bitterness can destroy a person faster than almost anything else in the world, Jesus experienced the ultimate human betrayal and his quiet response shows you exactly how to completely master your thoughts in the face of deep offense. Imagine the...

Romans 3:10-12, this might seem harsh, but Paul isn’t condemning humanity, he’s diagnosing the problem. Paul’s point is that sin isn’t just a series of mistakes you can make up for by being better, sin is a condition that separates you from God, leaving you in need of rescue. The reality of sin...

Romans 3:23, Paul summarizes humanity’s deepest problem, one that affects every person, regardless of age, culture or background, sin isn’t just an abstract concept or a list of bad behaviors. Sin is a condition, a brokenness at the very core of humanity, Paul paints a vivid picture of...

Mark 5:1-14, here is a powerful and highly shocking story, illustrating the ultimate goal Jesus has for your mind, this man represents the extreme of a mind completely taken over by the enemy. While most people are not in that exact physical situation, many people today live in a very similar...