CathyChung

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Ephesians 6:8 (NLT) We’ve looked at some beautiful churchy words: grace, repentance, and justified. Today’s churchy word is an ugly one.…

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace…a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Romans 3:23-24,28 (NIV)   Phew! Today’s scripture is jam packed with churchy words! Sin. Glory. Justified. Grace. We’ve been looking at the meaning…

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one  can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)   Let’s talk about grace, another churchy word.    Is grace a mealtime prayer? Yes. Is it an…

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” – Jesus Matthew 4:17 (NLT) So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”  – Jesus Luke 22:32 (NLT) Does it sometimes feel like the Bible, hymns and prayers…

Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your…

But  love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36 (NLT) Why should I…

Jesus calls us to the difficult task of loving our enemy. Where is God’s justice for those who hurt us?

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live…

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. Genesis 3:19 (NLT) Why do people put ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday?   The answer is most commonly based in…

Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Matthew 3:2 (NLT)   Let’s think about repentance, humility and self-denial…   The Shrove Tuesday indulgence is over. Lent has begun.   The 40 days of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates with the resurrection.  It is a self-reflective…