Being Christian Without Losing Your Mind
In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives. — Luke 15:7 Today’s verse comes at the end of Jesus’ story about a shepherd leaving 99 …
I’ve sinned against you—you alone. I’ve committed evil in your sight…Yes, I was born in guilt, in sin, from the moment my mother conceived me. — Psalm 51:4-5 These are David’s words after he admitted his guilt in his affair with Bathsheba, which entailed having her husband Uriah murdered. Pretty bad, sinful stuff. And he …
Those who heard him went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left in the middle of the crowd. — John 8:9 One of the ways to let the Bible speak is simply to be curious and ask questions about the things you read. It opens up …
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8 (NRSV) Have you ever had the moment when you look back on something you said or did earlier in life and asked yourself, “What was I thinking?” Unfortunately, I can think of several instances. There were careless words and actions of …
Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. — Luke 15:28 The unexpected encounter with grace is life transforming, such as when the young (“prodigal”) son returns home and discovers unconditional acceptance–and a party–when he meets his dad. But grace can also be transforming …
Jesus said to the legal experts and Pharisees, “Here’s a question for you: Is it legal on the sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” — Luke 6:9 The religious leaders in Jesus’ day loved to debate. They’d sift through all the religious laws in Scripture and …
He found in the temple those who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as those involved in exchanging currency sitting there. He made a whip from ropes and chased them all out… — John 2:14-15 One Sunday morning a man whose appearance resembled our image of Jesus—long brown hair, white robe, sandals—showed up at …
All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands. – Matthew 22:40 When Jesus said we had only two commandments to worry about, I thought that was a license to let grace triumph over legalism. Love God and love your neighbor. Period. That means there are asterisks we can put after some of …
“His master called the first servant and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you appealed to me. Shouldn’t you also have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’” — Matthew 18:32-33 How you receive a gift reveals your heart. It shows if you’re a taker or …
Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman?” – Luke 7:44 (The Message) We get no better x-ray of Jesus’ heart than this scene. A prostitute kneels before him. She cries profusely and, having used money from her profession, bought oil and anoints his feet, a sign …