Dear Redeeming Grace, As we move towards the end of the first week of a new year, many of us may have started a Bible reading plan again, or perhaps for the first time. Some may be running strong, while for others there may already be temptations to feel guilty for not measuring up to their goals. Regardless of what plan you do or don't use, or how well you've gotten out...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, As we close the remaining pages on one year and open to the first pages of the next, it's helpful to reflect on God's sovereign care for us. I imagine that 2023 held for us days and seasons of both rejoicing and sorrow, celebration and sadness. And through it all, God was faithfully weaving your story with his utmost care and wisdom for what is best....
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, With the celebration of Jesus's birth just days away, I suspect we may be reflecting on him more. And there are many passages of scripture that help us marvel at the gift of God's Son. One that has been on my heart and mind the last few days is the familiar passage from Luke 2. When an angel of the Lord visits the shepherds, watching sheep in the ni...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, Last week we considered how God accomplishes his purposes through His enduring faithfulness. The season of advent gives us ample opportunities to see examples of this in the coming of Christ. One example comes from the book of Romans through Isaiah 11. In Isaiah 11, God reveals this: "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a bra...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, In his message last week, Jason reminded us that Jesus transforms our lives to make us his own and make himself known. What a glorious truth to reflect on! One verse that helps me reflect on both these truths is Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in ...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, As we have gathered with friends, family or loved ones yesterday, thanksgiving may still be lingering in our minds. This morning my mind was drawn to Paul's words in Col. 3: "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Col 3:15 ESV) I love the simplicity of those last 3 words. And...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, As Dave reminded us so well last week, God's promises to us always prevail. Whether we feel we are under the darkest cloud, or in the warmth of the shining sun, God does not change. In fact, His word reminds us of this truth. The writer of Hebrews, led by the Spirit states it this way: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (He...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, Psalm 24 opens with wonderful words of comfort for us: "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof...." I use the word "comfort" because this truth reminds us that our God not only owns, but is the caretaker of all the earth and everything in it. Everything belongs to him and his under his sovereign care, including our lives. Our days can be ...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, Last week we marveled that God does not restrain his mercy from us. This week we want celebrate that his grace overflows for us. We can meditate on that truth as we hear Paul testifying in his own words, as we did on Sunday in Acts. As Paul opens his letter to Timothy, he recounts his own salvation once again. It's not a picture that flatters Paul, ...
Keep ReadingDear Redeeming Grace, A wonderful truth was brought to my attention today from Psalm 40, and it is this: As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! (Psalm 40:11 ESV) Mercy is a term referred to in the Old Testament as "the deep, tender feeling of compassion that was awakened by the troub...
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