I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Grace and Truth in Jesus
For many centuries, the nation of Israel awaited the coming Messiah who would bring the Kingdom of God and make things right in the world. Despite pain, persecution, and setbacks, they persevered because their hope was grounded in the promises of God.
Israel’s wait was finally over when the Messiah, Jesus, arrived. However, Jesus did not come in a grand procession, or with a large army behind Him. He arrived quietly in the stillness of the night, as a baby, in a little town called Bethlehem.
But in a surprise twist: this newborn was not only the Messiah who would free God’s people from their sins—but God Himself. John tells us that “the Word was God” (John 1:1). The Word exists eternally, but for a time took on human form and lived among people.
Jesus began His earthly ministry in the most humble way–by coming as a baby. But, it’s through the person of Jesus that we see the glory of God. Paul says in Colossians, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).
The miracle of Jesus being born is that He was fully God and fully human. Jesus came from the Father’s glory, but took on human form so that He could live His life on our behalf.
Jesus’ ministry on earth can be categorized by these two words: grace and truth. Jesus gave grace to people through the forgiveness of sins. But He also brought truth through His teachings and announcements.
All of us who believe in Christ have received both grace and truth from Him. We have been given a second chance at life because of the forgiveness of our sins, and we are saved from eternal separation from God because of the truths we believe.
Thank God for sending His Son to earth as a baby. Spend some time in prayer thanking Him for the grace and truth that you have received.
Luke 12
“In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto ...
Our Good Shepherd
Jesus’ “I Am” sayings are powerful statements that give us a look into Jesus' nature and His mission on earth.
First, each statement reveals something about Jesus’ mission on earth. But second, they connect Jesus to God the Father. Jesus’ “I Am” statements connect theologically to Exodus 3:14, when God revealed HImself to Moses as “I Am.”
In John 10, Jesus tells the people that He is the good shepherd. The mark of a good shepherd is that he must be willing to lay down his life for his sheep. Jesus says He is willing to do that.
Jesus’ statement is in contrast to the religious leaders of His day. The religious leaders would often make things very difficult for followers of God. They would add laws and regulations that would keep people from God. Ultimately, they were selfish leaders, considering themselves as more important than the people they were leading.
Jesus points out that the highest qualification of a shepherd is selflessness. Jesus is the ultimate...
