Take a moment to savor the blessing of justification that is yours in Jesus Christ. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God (Romans 5:1).
Author Archives: Colin Smith
Unlocking the Bible: Regeneration (John 3:5-8)
December 21, 2009 – 5:13 PM
[Editor's Note: Pastor Colin Smith continues his Christmas season devotional to help you reflect on Jesus’ glory by taking a broad look at all that God has promised and accomplished in Him. The readings follow the pattern of his current sermon series, “The Plan: God’s Design For the Universe and Your Place In It.” You [...]
Unlocking the Bible: Resurrection (Luke 24:6, 36-47)
December 19, 2009 – 2:24 PM
The Son of God was alive in heaven before He took human flesh. He could have returned to heaven, leaving His crucified body in the tomb. The angels could have said, “His body is in the tomb, but do not fear, His Spirit is with the Father in heaven.” But that would not have fulfilled God’s plan of redemption for us.
Unlocking the Bible: Crucifixion (Luke 23:26-43)
December 18, 2009 – 3:32 PM
When sin reached its full horror, God’s love was displayed in its full glory. If you doubt God’s love for you, look at the cross. The Son of God loved you and gave Himself for you (Galatians 2:20). No other love can match this. Nothing else in your experience can even come close. God’s love for you in Christ is greater than you ever dared to dream.
Unlocking the Bible: Transfiguration (Luke 9:29-31)
December 17, 2009 – 2:53 PM
When the self-confidence of godless men and the unrelenting antagonism of a secular society towards the Gospel erode our faith and drain our joy, we need a glimpse of what the disciples saw in the Transfiguration.
Unlocking the Bible: Rejection (Luke 4:28-30, 6:11, 8:37, 23:21, 23)
December 16, 2009 – 4:11 PM
At the inauguration of His public ministry, Jesus announced that He had come to preach good news to the poor, to release the oppressed and proclaim the year of Jubilee in which debts would be cancelled and slaves released. The response? “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this” (Luke 4:28).
Unlocking the Bible: Temptation (Luke 4:1-13)
December 15, 2009 – 2:28 PM
[Editor's Note: Pastor Colin Smith continues his Christmas season devotional to help you reflect on Jesus’ glory by taking a broad look at all that God has promised and accomplished in Him. The readings follow the pattern of his current sermon series, “The Plan: God’s Design For the Universe and Your Place In It.” You [...]
Unlocking the Bible: Incarnation (Luke 1:35)
December 14, 2009 – 11:42 AM
The angel announced to Mary that Jesus would be “The Son of the Most High,” and “The Son of God” (Luke 1:32, 35). Matthew records that He is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). John describes Him as the Speech of God who became flesh (John 1:14). Think about that: God spoke His promise in words, and when His Word became flesh, His promise was delivered.
Unlocking the Bible: Restoration (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
December 13, 2009 – 10:58 AM
God makes promises so great that only God Himself can deliver them. So God took human flesh. The Creator entered His own creation. God came and stood with us, acting for us, to fulfill His own promise. The Word who was with God, and was God, and by whom all things were made, became flesh and made His dwelling among us (John 1:2, 14).
'The Adjustment Bureau' Adjusted
Our family recently went to see The Adjustment Bureau and thoroughly enjoyed it. Matt Damon leads in a fast-moving story about an aspiring politician who falls in love with a girl he was "not supposed to meet." The plan for his life is set by "the chairman" who, while never seen in the movie, operates [...]