A Personal Journal of Grace and Discipleship
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20
From the blog
The Exchanged Life: Finding Freedom and Wholeness Through Spirituotherapy
In a world filled with competing counseling models, it’s not uncommon to find contrasting views on what “biblical” or “Christian” counseling truly means. Searching for answers can feel overwhelming, and the terms alone—“biblical counseling” versus “Christian counseling”—can spark endless debates on how, or whether, secular counseling methodologies fit within a Christian framework.
Believing Without Seeing: Faith Beyond Evidence
The story of Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas," in John 20:24–29 offers a profound insight into the nature of faith and belief. Thomas’ journey from doubt to faith reminds us that Christianity is not about blind acceptance but about trust and relationship that go beyond mere evidence.
The Seduction of Babylon and the Sovereignty of God: A Reflection on Revelation 17
As Revelation 17 unfolds, we are given a vivid and symbolic portrait of Babylon—represented as a woman drunk on the blood of God’s people and seated on a seven-headed beast. This chapter provides a more detailed look at the events briefly described during the bowl judgments (Revelation 16). It peels back the layers of Babylon’s identity, unveiling her as a representation of worldly, ungodly values: political power, economic excess, and spiritual corruption.
A Glimpse of Glory and Faith: Insights from Matthew 17
Matthew 17 is a rich chapter that reveals both the glory of Jesus Christ and the deep lessons about faith and obedience that He imparts to His disciples. From the mountaintop to the daily struggles of ministry, this passage encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ divine nature and His provision for every need.
Faithfulness Matters: Lessons from Jeremiah 34
Jeremiah 34 offers a sobering glimpse into the consequences of faithlessness and broken promises. This chapter, set during Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem around 588 BC, revolves around King Zedekiah and his people. It demonstrates the weight of breaking covenant with God and failing to show compassion to others.
A Reflection on Proverbs 30: Lessons in Wisdom, Contentment, and God’s Design
Proverbs 30, written by Agur son of Jakeh, offers deep insights into the human condition, wisdom, and God's design for life. Drawing on the Grace and Truth Study Bible, let’s explore how this section of Proverbs challenges us to seek God’s wisdom, embrace contentment, and marvel at His creation.
Faithful Messengers of the King: Reflecting on 1 Chronicles 19
The events of 1 Chronicles 19 give us a vivid picture of honor, humiliation, and ultimate vindication under God’s sovereign hand. David’s genuine act of kindness toward Hanun, the newly crowned king of the Ammonites, is met with paranoia and a cruel response. This rejection not only insults David’s envoys but ignites a war that ends in a resounding victory for Israel. Through this account, the Grace and Truth Study Bible highlights how divine favor and confidence in God’s purposes secure victory for David’s army.
The Grace of God: Boundless and Eternal
God's grace is an awe-inspiring attribute that offers hope and transformation to all who receive it. As A.W. Tozer so eloquently writes in The Knowledge of the Holy, grace is not merely a concept or occasional action from God—it is an intrinsic aspect of His nature. This infinite and eternal grace flows from the very heart of God and reaches us through Jesus Christ, the ultimate channel of grace.
Living in the Garden of Grace: Growing in Grace
In 2 Peter 3:18, we are urged to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” David Kuykendall’s reflection on this verse reminds us of God’s deep desire for His children to grow—not just in knowledge or understanding, but in grace itself.
Growth in grace is the very heart of our Christian journey. Just as earthly parents delight in seeing their children mature, our heavenly Father takes pleasure in our growth. Yet, how often do we miss out on the joy of bringing Him pleasure when we stall in our spiritual development?
The Flow of Spiritual Life: Embracing the Spirit’s Habits
Ezekiel 36:27 gives us a wonderful promise: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.” This verse paints a picture of a life immersed in God’s Spirit—a life where obedience flows naturally, much like the waters in Ezekiel's vision.
This spiritual life isn't about struggle or self-effort but about surrender and trust. As we yield to God, He leads us into rhythms of living that become natural extensions of His divine life within us. However, these rhythms often start with deliberate choices, repeated faithfully until they become habits infused with the Spirit’s power. Let’s explore additional insights from today's Days of Heaven devotional by A.B. Simpson.
Stepping Out Without Knowing: A Life of Trust
“He went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11:8)
Oswald Chambers’ thought-provoking devotional reminds us of the radical trust demonstrated by Abraham when he obeyed God’s call, venturing into the unknown without any detailed explanation or roadmap. Abraham’s story is not merely ancient history—it’s an invitation for us to live with the same unreserved dependence on God.
Grace Upon Grace: Living in the Fullness of Christ
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father; full of grace and truth…And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for [upon] grace.” (John 1:14, 16)
The grace of God is more than a concept or a doctrine; it is a person. Jesus Christ embodies the fullness of God's grace. As John 1:14 reveals, when the Word became flesh and lived among us, He demonstrated divine grace and truth perfectly. His life, His words, and His actions were a living message from the Father—a message brimming with transformative grace. Let’s explore this beautiful message with guidance from today’s Day by Day by Grace devotional.
Life’s Purpose: Embracing the Overflow of Christ’s Life
Our Christian journey often circles back to one central truth: we are not self-sufficient. The life we are called to live, one of bearing fruit for God’s glory, is not something we produce through our own effort or striving. Instead, it is the natural outcome of abiding in Christ, our Vine, who provides everything we need.
A.J. Gordon’s words in today’s Abide Above devotional beautifully illustrate this principle: “The vine furnishes the branches, not only with the principle of life, but with the type of life.” As branches, we are not responsible for creating the fruit or even shaping it—we are merely vessels through which the life of the Vine flows. Just as the root determines the branch’s form, taste, and fragrance, so too does Christ’s life within us shape every detail of our spiritual growth.
Wrestling with Evil: Finding God’s Goodness in the Struggle
The problem of evil is one of the biggest questions we face as believers. If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering? This isn’t just a philosophical puzzle—it’s personal. We’ve all seen pain up close, and we’ve all asked why.
To make sense of this, we turn to two perspectives that have helped believers across the ages: the Free Will Defense and what I like to call the Christ-Centered Redemptive View. Together, these ideas don’t just explain the existence of evil—they show how God works through it to bring about something far greater than we can imagine
Victory by the Hand of God: Reflections on 1 Chronicles 18
In 1 Chronicles 18, the Chronicler recounts King David’s victories, painting a picture of a leader blessed and guided by God’s hand. This chapter isn't just a historical record of military success—it’s a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness and His ability to accomplish His purposes through His chosen servant.
Is Repentance Possible During the Final Judgments?
In discussions about the end times, a common question arises: Are people capable of repenting during the intense judgments described in Revelation? Some suggest that God withdraws the Holy Spirit during this time, making repentance impossible. This idea often stems from an interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7, which speaks of a "restrainer" being removed. Let’s examine this claim biblically and consider what the Scriptures reveal.
The Final Judgments of Revelation 16: The Bowls of God’s Wrath
Revelation 16 presents a vivid and sobering picture of God’s final judgments, known as the bowl judgments. These devastating events unfold quickly, demonstrating God’s righteous justice against a world that has rebelled against Him. As we study these passages, we witness both the severity of God’s wrath and the contrasting responses from heaven and earth. Let’s explore these judgments and their significance.
Following Jesus: Lessons from Matthew 16
Matthew 16 is a pivotal chapter that reveals deep truths about Jesus’ identity, His mission, and the call to discipleship. Drawing insights from the Grace and Truth Study Bible, we’ll explore how these passages challenge us to recognize who Jesus is, trust His purposes, and commit to following Him wholeheartedly.
Living with Wisdom and Justice: Lessons from Proverbs 29
The book of Proverbs is rich with insights into living a life that honors God and reflects His wisdom and justice. Proverbs 29, in particular, provides guidance for leaders, parents, and all who seek to navigate the complexities of human relationships and responsibilities. Drawing from the Grace and Truth Study Bible's notes, let’s explore how this chapter offers timeless principles for representing God’s heart in our lives and decisions.
The Flood: Suffering as a Divine Act of Justice and Mercy
One of the most challenging accounts in Scripture is the flood narrative in Genesis. It’s a story of catastrophic suffering caused directly by God. This raises profound questions about how such suffering aligns with God's nature as ultimate good and how it differs from evil. To wrestle with these questions, we must consider the flood in light of God's justice, mercy, and purposes.
How Can a Good God Ordain Suffering?
God's nature is perfectly good (Psalm 34:8, 1 John 1:5). He is the ultimate standard of goodness, and everything He does is consistent with His character. This means that God cannot do anything morally evil or inconsistent with His goodness. James 1:13 affirms that God neither tempts anyone to sin nor is He Himself tempted by evil.
Because God is good, His purposes for creation are also good. However, the existence of suffering does not contradict His goodness when we view it through the lens of His eternal purposes.