Grace Downtown

There are some of us that allow what has happened in the past to affect us in the present and to affect our future. But God wants to redeem our past and to use it for our good.

It's been cited that the #1 trait modern parents want to instill in their kids is "compassion". Yet, often that compassion is in want when it comes to those with whom we disagree. As the book of Jonah closes, God tests our compassion. How will you do?

It is better to steward the ‘little’ well and take one small step of obedience to satisfy the intentions of Father God, than take one big stride in the flesh to fulfill the expectations of others.

A Christian's life is a life of repentance. Jesus gives us the freedom to not only repent of sin but to repent of our goodness and righteousness as well.

Jonah had run from God and now was in the depths of the sea. In his darkest moment, he looked again toward God. When we feel the weight of our decisions upon us, will we look again to Jesus for his gift of salvation?

Someone once said "All life-changing love is some kind of substitutionary sacrifice." When we can grasp the heights and depths of God's mercy toward us, it enables us to become vessels of mercy for others. But sometimes it takes us being thrown over the side of a boat first.

James is not positing any new type of religion, rather he is reaffirming what Jesus taught. A true believer will bear fruit. Are you and I bearing fruit?

It's natural to want to hide from storms, but when God sends them, sometimes hiding is worse than the storm.

Did you ever try to run away when you were a child? Some things never change. God's children are still tempted to run away from him.

Society tells us that we should look out for ourselves first, "self before others". God tells us that a healthy family lives with a "self for others: attitude. We look to benefit others before ourselves. Unity is vital for the functioning of the family and loving others as we love ourselves is the key.

God lives in family and he created us to be apart of his family. He came and made a covenant with Abraham that lives on even today. He calls you into his family, will you join us?

Is every day, mundane, monotonous work really serving God? We work because God worked, and working is just another part of us being made in his image. Why do we work? We work to love our neighbor. By doing our job well, we are showing love for our neighbor. So work well to serve your neighbor and in doing so we serve God.

In an affluent society, it is easy to get caught up looking at what others have relative to what we have. It is not enough to change one's perspective or try harder to not be envious. We must turn our focus to God and the promises found in Scripture.

Truth bombs may be socially acceptable, but are they supported by Scripture. In a society where truth is relative to the person, how do we confront someone else? Scripture tells us how to confront out of love and or love and not from revenge or a position of hurt.

Does our speech identify us with the world and society around us or would our words distinguish us as followers of Jesus? What we say has a lot to do with what is in our hearts and we are to guard our hearts so that our words share with others the love of Jesus that he shares with us.

Friendship is action orientated. Friendship focuses on what we can do for the other person for their sake. Friendship is considerate and selfless. A true friend will call out our faults and help us correct our actions. This is what Jesus did and continues to do for us every day as our friend.

Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. Wisdom is, in fact, the practical side of moral goodness. As such, it is found in its fullness only in God. He alone is naturally and entirely and invariable wise. J.I. Packer

God gives wisdom freely and makes it available to all.

It is tough to make wise decisions. Knowing that the Lord is sovereign over all is the first step. If we put our faith and trust in him, his grace will be sufficient in all circumstances. Sometimes being wise means letting go and letting God who the way.

God’s invitation to wisdom’s way is a welcome into the art of living well. It involves rejecting the paralyzing fear of failure as well as the boastful arrogance that overconfidence can engender. Wisdom, from God’s perspective, is exceedingly precious.