Do you remember the popular song with a catchy tune called “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”? It’s bright melody and simple message could almost convince you that by brushing all your worries under a rug and forcing a smile, you could fill yourself with happiness. But true happiness doesn’t work like that. Instead, it is bundled up […]
Tag: Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, is considered by Christians to be the Son of God and the Messiah (or savior) prophesied in the Old Testament. He is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity and his life and teachings form the basis of the religion.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in present-day Israel, during the reign of King Herod the Great. According to the Bible, he was born to Mary, a virgin, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was raised in Nazareth and, at the age of 30, began his public ministry. He traveled throughout the region, preaching and teaching about God’s kingdom and performing healings and other miracles.
Jesus’ message centered on the idea that God’s kingdom was at hand, and that people should repent of their sins and believe in him as the Messiah. He called for a radical reorientation of life, urging people to turn away from their sins and to love God and their neighbors.
Jesus’ teachings and miracles drew large crowds, but also drew the attention of the religious leaders of the day, who saw him as a threat to their authority. He was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death by crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb, but on the third day, he rose from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian belief and the event that convinced his followers that he was the Son of God and the Messiah. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and many others before ascending to heaven.
The life and teachings of Jesus have had a profound impact on the world and continue to shape the beliefs of millions of Christians today. His message of love, forgiveness, and redemption has inspired countless works of art, literature, and music, and his example of selfless service has been a model for countless individuals throughout history.
It is worth noting that there are many controversies and debates surrounding the life and teachings of Jesus, and different scholars and religious traditions interpret his story in different ways.
Don’t Worry About It!
Do you worry? Some of us worry about paying the monthly rent or mortgage. Some of us worry about the choices our children are making. Others are anxious about the big decisions we must make about our future. With all the concerns in life, can Jesus be serious when he tells us not to worry? […]
A Beautiful Thing
The woman’s act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, was such an important gesture. Jesus called what she did “a beautiful thing” because it flowed from the love in her heart. She came to Jesus unexpectedly and poured perfume on his head. Scripture suggests her deed was also beautiful, because it was costly. The perfume […]
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet!
Today’s verse is really an encouragement for all of us to raise our level of expectancy! It’s like God is saying to us, “You think you’re blessed? You haven’t seen anything yet!”. I’m sure God has been good to you, but He also has things for your future that, if He told you right now, […]
Think About Your Thinking
In this age of social media influences, millions of people are not enjoying life because of the condition of their minds. They constantly dwell on negative, destructive, harmful thoughts. They don’t realise it, but the root cause of many of their problems is simply the fact that their thought life is out of control and very negative. […]
He Is Alive
Two years had passed since Paul came to the palace prison in Caesarea. Festus is now the governor instead of Felix. Felix thought he would be doing Paul’s accusers a favour by leaving Paul in prison, but they wanted more. Two years is a long time to wait for a decision from the court. Two […]
They often say that a baby is like a blank canvas, ready to be painted with life’s experiences. However, this canvas isn’t entirely blank, as certain factors like illnesses can be passed down from generation to generation. Nevertheless, the idea that a baby is a vessel waiting to be shaped remains compelling. If we consider […]
A Dream of Hope
Today Americans celebrate the life of the great Christian leader, Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Below are four quotes from him that will give us hope in this hopeless time. “I say to you today, my friends . . . even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. […]
What Or Who Am I Reflecting?
Like a mirror, when you reflect something, you are exhibiting its likeness. You are displaying its characteristics. the Bible tells us that we should reflect the character and likeness of Jesus. We shouldn’t only have His features, like in a mirror, but most importantly – His attitude. That may sound like a pretty tall order; […]
Walk In The Anointing
As I think about 2023, it reminded me of a cross-country race I saw. I was amazed at how many obstacles they had to get over in order to get to the finish line. God wants to empower and strengthen you to overcome every obstacle this new year. He wants to give you confidence, wisdom and boldness, to […]
Your Grace And Mercy
In this day and age, many people are filled with worry about their future. They live stressed out, wondering, “What’s going to happen if I lose my job?”, “how am I going to handle it if my loved one doesn’t make it?”, or even “my parents are getting older, how can I take care of […]
He Gives You Space
Newer translations of the Bible include a footnote with this story, saying that it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. I hope this “messiness” of the Bible does not trouble you. It shouldn’t. Rather, we can recognize that the perfect Word of God entered a messy world and picked up some scars, yet still […]
Christ Our Hope In 2024
It’s a New Year, and we look forward in hope to a year filled with potential, but we also know there is uncertainty. A review of 2023 reminds us of the changes a year can bring. Some good, some very painful. What will happen in 2024? We opened December asking, “What is the source of […]
We’ve Closed The Book On 2023
Today you might find yourself remembering some of the triumphs and trials of the past year. Even if you have had wonderful successes in the past twelve months, you can probably remember some low points. As you enter a new year, I hope you remember that God’s plans have always been to prosper you. He […]
New Year Opportunities
One day in March 2005, Ashley Smith came home to find a fleeing murderer waiting for her. He held her hostage for several hours at gunpoint. During that time, she did something extraordinary; she took advantage of the opportunity and witnessed to her captor. She cooked him breakfast, read from Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven […]
Scandalous Discipleship
Throughout December, we’ve looked at the scandals of the advent. The definition of the word scandal is an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing public outrage. From the King becoming to an unmarried teenager, to being born in Poverty, then the murders surrounding Jesus’ birth. What about the expensive elaborate […]