Parenting in a Christian Home like Father God-Mother Hen. The Lord’s love is compared to both a father and a mother in the second Song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32: 18, “You neglected the Rock who had fathered you, you forgot the God who had given you birth.” God’s parental love and their rejection of that love highlights just …
Nurturing a Christian Culture in the Home: The Bottom Line. As we think about cultivating a Christ-centered culture in the home, consider the central importance of agape love. The spirit of agape is in the very atmosphere of a Christian home. In fact, a Christian home is defined by the presence of this spiritual quality. …
Grace Transforming Nature in the Sacraments. Water. “Now sanctify this water, Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior… Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit …
St. Paul’s Ultimate Blessing Over Us: Grace, Love, and Fellowship. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, The love of God, And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit Be with all of you. Amen.” (2 Corinthians 13:14). One inescapable truth from this Blessing is that it can be sung in three-part harmony: The Person of …
Growing in Grace and Knowledge. “But you, dear friends who I love with agape love, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these deceptive and wicked teachers. Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All glory to the Master, both now …
The Holy Spirit of Grace. The Holy Spirit: The eternal life-giving Third Person of the Holy Trinity; the intimate bond of divine love and truth shared by God the Father and God the Son; the dynamic power of God offered to every human being on earth; the supernatural Presence in the Community of God who is …
Extravagant Grace at the Wedding in Cana. GRACE in the New Testament: The Greek word here for “grace’ is the tremendously rich word of “charis,” which is usually pronounced “care-iss.” This important biblical word, used over 170 times in the New Testament, was at one point a general term adopted from Greek mythology, and could mean goodwill, loveliness, charm, …
The Gracious Heart of Christ on the Cross. GRACE in the New Testament: The Epistles often repeat something like, “The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The Greek word here for “grace’ is the tremendously rich word of “charis,” which is usually pronounced “care-iss.” This important biblical word, used over 170 times in the New Testament, was at one point …
Grace with Others. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. For the measure you use, it will be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:35-38). GRACE in the New Testament: The Epistles often …
Jesus is Our Grace. “For God so loved the world (Kosmos) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes into (eis) Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into (eis) the world to judge the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. …
Grace Everywhere: Before, During and After! GRACE in the Hebrew Bible: (Hebrew, “chen” “chanan”) The centerpiece of God’s character that shows divine favor to those who don’t deserve it; the nature of God which prefers to show mercy to those who haven’t earned it; the heart of God which leans toward offering the free gift …
The Jewish Roots of Grace. “For you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in faithful covenant lovingkindness.” (Nehemiah 9:17). Since Christianity is essentially a Jewish faith, an offshoot of Judaism, we will find the roots of common Christian terms in the Hebrew Bible. Grace is one of …