Tag: christianity
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Returning to First Love: Mercy, Freedom, and Joy
There is a quiet danger in faithful religion. We can do many things right and still drift far from the heart of God. Revelation 2:1–7 confronts us with this truth as Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus—a church known for perseverance, discernment, and doctrinal clarity. And yet, Jesus says something startling: “You have abandoned…
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Jesus the Messiah vs the Autocratic Rulers of the World
1. How Power Is Expressed Jesus the Messiah “He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.”— Matthew 12:19 Jesus does not rule through intimidation, spectacle, or fear. His authority is quiet, moral, and relational. Jesus’ power flows from truth and love, not coercion. Autocratic Rulers “They set…
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Between Stillness and Resistance
Psalm 46, Romans 13, and Faithful Living Under Fear-Driven Power “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities…” — Romans 13:1 Few passages in Scripture have been more misunderstood — or weaponized — together than Psalm 46 and Romans 13. When placed carelessly side…
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When God’s Promises Meet the World’s Pain
There are days when reading Scripture does not bring comfort—it brings confrontation. Psalm 85 speaks of restoration and peace. Exodus 3 tells of God hearing the cries of enslaved people. Hebrews 11 celebrates faith that endures. John 14 offers the assurance that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And yet, when I…
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Finding Our Place: One Home, One Shepherd
There is a longing that runs through the human heart—the desire to belong, to find a place where we are known, safe, and at rest. Scripture names this longing and gently redirects it. From the wilderness of Jacob to the promise of a better country, from God’s rain of provision to the voice of the…
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Walking in the Light Without Condemnation
A Devotional Reflection on John 8:12–19 In John 8:12–19, Jesus stands in the temple and makes a breathtaking claim: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Almost immediately, the Pharisees challenge Him. They question His authority, His testimony, His legitimacy.…
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Shelter, Light, and Mercy: What These Scriptures Teach Us About God Today
Reading the Scriptures is like doing a crossword puzzle. We have clues of how those who lived before us viewed God. We are to take these clues and relate them to our world and times. I read the Scriptures in the Daily Office each morning. What I share here is what the Holy Spirit shares…
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Sin as rule-breaking
Sin as rule-breaking, defines sin primarily as disobedience to God’s laws or commandments. The focus is placed on violating prescribed rules rather than on the deeper condition of the human heart and humanity’s relationship with God. In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly challenges this way of understanding sin. In Mark 3:1–6, Jesus is criticized for healing…
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Loving What God Loves, Hating What God Hates
Psalm 97 is a song of joy and awe. Yet tucked inside this praise is a verse that can trouble modern readers “The Lord loves those who hate evil;he preserves the lives of his saintsand delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 97:10) At first hearing, this can sound conditional—almost as if God’s…
The Curious Pilgrim 