Jesus is God. As such He is also Lord. When the angel announced to Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, that Mary would have a child born of the Holy Spirit the angel also said “… you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21, NCV) His name, Jesus, specifies why God came as a man—to save people from the punishment of sin. So believing in Jesus means we believe He is God,…
Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38 ESV). From the very beginning this has been God’s desire—that we love Him. He created us to love Him, give Him first place in our lives. Now as a Christian you are able to do just that, love Him. This is the best kept secret in the two-thousand…
After Jesus came alive and immediately before He returned to heaven to rejoin His Father, He left instructions—a job assignment—for those who believe in Him. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you…
The Bible is God’s Word given to us so that we may know Him better. Reading it should become something that you give high priority to everyday. If Bible reading has not been a regular part of your day it may be difficult at first giving time to doing just that, but the benefits are huge. Christians, like anyone else, can be very passionate about what’s familiar or has proven to benefit their relationship with God. Especially when it comes…
The number one most important thing to God is that you love Him. (This was discussed in essential number one.) When you are in relationship with someone you love, you want to be with them, to share things with them, to listen to them and to talk with them. This is the core of prayer; talking with God, expressing your feelings, discussing your needs and those of others, expressing your admiration of God and your thankfulness toward Him. Prayer is…
Flying used to be exciting but now, half-a-century after my maiden flight, I sometimes question why I put myself through the gauntlet of an airport. Wouldn’t it be more fun to drive and pick my route? Wouldn’t it be better to pick where and what I want to eat? Instead, I submit myself to confining my elbows close to my sides, struggling to lift that pretzel to my mouth without disturbing the stranger next to me. This flight would be…