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.
Why Love Matters
It’s a satisfying feeling to do something you’re good at, and God created each one of us with talents so that we might become who He calls us to be. Some of us are good communicators. Others are good at offering solid wisdom. All of us have talents that can be used for God’s glory.
In 1 Corinthians 13 though, Paul emphasizes that without love, our God-given gifts cannot be used to their fullest potential. Paul even suggests that we can be the most talented people in the world, but if we don’t have God’s love in our hearts, our words and deeds are essentially meaningless.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Love is considered the greatest of all characteristics because it positively impacts everything—including how we use our gifts as a response to God’s love. When we know God’s love for us, we can have the faith to trust that He is who He says He is, and does what He promises to do.
God created faith, hope, and love so that we would continuously trust in His ability to restore the world to its best. He also created these things because when we use our gifts, and confidently expect they will be used for eternal purposes, He honors our trust and moves powerfully through us.
So take a moment and process where you have tangibly seen God’s love at work in your life. Then, ask God to reveal how you can exemplify His love to others this week.
Justified by Faith
Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them. It's packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live.
One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.
Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous—because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.
However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own right-living, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we can stand innocent before God because of Jesus.
It’s ...
