As the Day Begins “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6 There is a quiet assurance woven into this promise that many believers overlook. The Apostle Paul, writing from imprisonment, speaks not of uncertainty but of divine certainty. The phrase “begunContinue reading “Held by the Hands That Finish”
Tag Archives: sanctification
The Hidden Path Beneath Your Feet
On Second Thought “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10 There is something deeply reassuring about knowing that God is not improvising with our lives. The word Paul uses in Ephesians 2:10 for “workmanship” is poiēma, from whichContinue reading “The Hidden Path Beneath Your Feet”
Growing Forward Through Surrendered Grace
As the Day Begins “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 3:18 Spiritual growth is rarely instantaneous. The apostle Peter uses the Greek word auxanete—“keep on growing”—which implies steady, ongoing development. Growth in Christ is not a single breakthrough moment but a daily unfolding ofContinue reading “Growing Forward Through Surrendered Grace”
When the Mirror Is Cleaner Than the Conscience
On Second Thought Ephesians 5 is not a casual chapter. It is not written for spectators of faith but for participants in a holy calling. Paul exhorts believers to “be imitators of God” and to “walk in love,” grounding his appeal in Christ’s self-giving sacrifice. Then he presses further, speaking of the church as aContinue reading “When the Mirror Is Cleaner Than the Conscience”
The Loving Knife of the Gardener
On Second Thought In John 15, Jesus offers one of His most tender and searching images: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1). Then He speaks words that are both comforting and unsettling: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should goContinue reading “The Loving Knife of the Gardener”
Who Is Helping You Unwrap the Grave Clothes?
As the Day Ends There is a sober wisdom in the words of Proverbs: “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). As the day winds down and the noise quiets, we are left with our thoughts—and often with the influence of those we have allowedContinue reading “Who Is Helping You Unwrap the Grave Clothes?”
When Books Fail Us
Finding the One Text That Never Will On Second Thought We live in an age of information overload. Between social media feeds, news alerts, trending podcasts, and countless books promising to transform our lives, we’re consuming content at a rate unprecedented in human history. Last year alone, you probably scrolled through thousands of articles, skimmedContinue reading “When Books Fail Us”
Learning to Say No Without Losing the Heart
On Second Thought There is a quiet but persistent work that takes place in the life of anyone who walks with the Lord for more than a momentary season. Over time, desire itself begins to change. What once felt natural becomes uneasy; what once felt optional begins to feel necessary. Scripture names this inner reshapingContinue reading “Learning to Say No Without Losing the Heart”
When Holiness Undoes Us—and Remakes Us
Experiencing God “So, I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone … for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.’” (Isaiah 6:5) There are moments in Scripture that feel less like stories we read and more like mirrors held up to our own souls. Isaiah’s encounter with God in the templeContinue reading “When Holiness Undoes Us—and Remakes Us”
Living Ready
Walking with Christ in Faith, Love, and Hope Thru the Bible in a Year Today’s journey brings us into 1 Thessalonians, Paul’s warm and encouraging letter to a young church he loved dearly. As I read these chapters again, I’m struck by how personal, pastoral, and practical Paul’s words truly are. This letter carries theContinue reading “Living Ready”