Posted on July 13, 2010 at 7:19am.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
That strong statement made by Peter as he and John were thrown in jail and taken before the authorities, was no less popular then than it is today. We are afraid of speaking about absolutes. We are afraid of offending anyone. The result is that we sometimes fail to offer the words that will bring life. The name of Jesus is a name to be spoken and as his follower it bring a life to be lived.
Posted on July 12, 2010 at 10:45am.
I had coffee with a friend this morning who asked the question of how we lead when interacting with a friend. In the world of boxing you speak of someone leading with their left or their right, with a hook or a jab - but how do we lead with one another? Specifically how do I lead with another believer who has messed up in their life? The answer I long for is that I would lead with grace. All too often I fear the response may be judgement or even rejection. When I consider the gracious way that God leads toward me - extending grace before it is ever asked for or deserved - I can only hope I learn to lead with grace.
Posted on July 10, 2010 at 6:34am.
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?” (Micah 7:18)
The answer to Micah’s question is there is no God like our God. If all the wonders of God stopped with just the facts of this verse it would be enough. He is a God who pardons and forgives and everyday that wonderful truth washes over me and leaves me humbled. All because of Jesus and his finished work on the cross - nothing I have done or could ever do. Thank you Lord.
Posted on July 9, 2010 at 5:31am.
In case you don’t recognise the title it is in the Twi language from the nation of Ghana. Recently my young friend Nick returned from a year serving in Ghana and he brought me a gift - a beautiful wood carving. On the carving are the words “Gye Nyame”, which means - except God. The saying for the people of Ghana is “The impossible is impossible - except with God.” It stands as a reminder of the supremacy of God and his omnipotence. What a great reminder of the awesome God we serve.
Posted on July 8, 2010 at 6:33am.
When I was in college I went on several long distance bike trips, riding 10 speed bikes. I remember being in the mountains of Vermont and regularly announcing to the group I was with - “I think the top is just around the next bend.” Much to my disappointment and the frustration of my group, the road still went up and we had to climb more. We would come to another bend and I would hear “Don’t say it Kallam!” Eventually we did make the top and the road either leveled out or started back down.
Those memories feel a lot like what folks are experiencing these days. Life is hard and uncertain - with no end in sight. What do you say to the person who can’t find work? To the one whose life is like climbing a mountain with no end in sight. I know the truth of what I believe, God will never leave or forsake but man can that ever sound trite. So here is my prayer - “Lord to those who can’t see beyond the bend or feel like giving up please encourage them today.”
