If you have ever been to Canal Street in New York City, you will find a plethora of fake merchandise—anything from a faux Gucci bag, to a fake Rolex to Chanel purses with backward C’s on the pleather exterior. Many people do not care about authenticity anymore, plus it costs so much more to pay for designer prices, right? When a designer puts their own name on a product, it’s a stamp of quality and excellence. Tiffany & Co is named after its founder, Charles Tiffany, and has become the go-to jewelry store for the affluent and famous. Louis Vuitton…
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” 1 Peter 1:20 (NIV) Before God spoke light into darkness, named every star, and formed humanity, He already had a plan—a plan of redemption (Gen. 1:3; Ps. 147:4; Gen. 1:27). From the very beginning, God was not distant; He was intentional. His love was not reactive—it was predetermined. God demonstrates His closeness to us through His infinite love by stepping into humanity Himself. Jesus is not just a moment in history—He is the long-awaited promise fulfilled, the Messiah revealed. One of my favorite glimpses of this truth is found in Luke 2:22–40. In this passage, we see Joseph and Mary faithfully upholding the Law of Moses through Jesus’ circumcision and their offering (Luke 2:21, 24). But tucked within this moment is a quiet detail that speaks volumes—the offering of turtledoves reveals their economic reality. They could not afford a lamb. And yet, this is where it gets powerful. Because Jesus is our perfect Savior, it’s easy to forget that He did not come through what we would consider a “perfect” life. He wasn’t born into wealth, status, or privilege. He didn’t…
When I was a teenager, I worked at a shoe store. It was, without question, the best job ever. I received 50% off regular stock, and the discount still applied to items already on sale. In other words, it was a teenager’s dream. Let’s say I owned a lot of shoes—easily more than fifty pairs. Honestly, if shoe ownership were a spiritual gift, I would have been operating in my calling. One day, I was helping a mother pick out a pair of running shoes for her little boy. She finally found the perfect pair, and they headed downstairs toward the cash register. Suddenly, the little boy slipped and fell. Without thinking, I ran over to help him. In the process, I got blood on my hands from his injury. Thankfully, the situation was quickly under control. I walked straight to the sink to wash my hands. As I stood there looking into the mirror, I felt the Lord prompt me to look down at my hands. When I did, a sobering scripture came to my mind: “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and…
For as long as I can remember, I have been mesmerized by the night’s sky; star-struck in the truest sense. I bought my own telescope when I was 20 years old, and was even part of an astronomy club at one point in my life. When I drive in the country and see the Milky Way above me, I feel the grandeur of God and am in awe of His vastness. He is so great, and yet, chooses to care for each one of us with such tender care. Genesis 1:16 states, “And God made two great lights; the greater…
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Perfection. When I say the word, another quickly comes to mind: impossible. While I may be blind to some of my faults, I recognize enough of my shortcomings to realize that I am a long way from achieving perfection. That realization causes me to wonder if God is commanding me to be something that may be impossible to achieve. THE KEY TO PERFECTION Perfection does not come from our own efforts. It is not within our power to attain this alone. Job said, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse” (Job 9:20). Nor did Old Testament law bring perfection. Hebrews 7:19 says, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” From this we find that the key to perfection is “the better hope.” God’s Spirit operating in our lives gives us the power to grow into His likeness, to take on His flawless character. “For he hath made him to be sin for us,…
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3, ESV) Many people find storms frightening, and rightly so. They can exert tremendous force, resulting in great damage. Those living in coastal areas soon learn the dangers of hurricane season, while those in “tornado alley” keep an eye on the sky. Residents of storm-prone areas learn how to prepare and when to seek safety. Sometimes, however, the storm strikes unexpectedly, catching those in its path unawares. Mark 4:37-39 recounts a time when the disciples were caught in a life-threatening storm. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (ESV) STORMS CAN BRING FEAR Storms are noisy. The roar of thunder and raging winds cause us to fear. The disciples had sailed those same waters much of their lives, yet they became fearful as the storm’s fury erupted. They…