Savedthroughfaith.com

We have flipped our calendars to the new year with excitement and optimism. And as Christians this means that Bible reading plans are making their rounds and are being gobbled up by well-intentioned, eager hands. I celebrate this as a good thing. But hold on for a second, I have a quick question. What did you read yesterday? No, not what chapter, but what did you read? What from God’s Word got ahold of you to produce a response? Did anythi...

I understand the New Year’s Eve celebration. I do. In fact, I like it. I’ve hosted and attended parties for years. But tonight I’m trading in my kazoo (or whatever those things are) for some shut-eye. Why? Because I have a better party in the morning. I don’t mean to sound negative about New Year’s it’s just not as good as Sunday morning. I need to rest up. I want to be alert. I want to come with my heart prep...

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2.7) This is a familiar passage to be read and considered during the Advent season. It is embedded with so much rich theological beauty and truth for the Christian. Here we have the Son of God become the son of a virgin. The one who swaddled the stars with darkness (Job 38.9) is now swaddled ...

Most of us have a tree in our  living room this time of year. Whether “real” or “fake” the tree is decorated with ornaments and other festive items to celebrate the Christmas season. The trees also help illustrate an essential but often overlooked truth of the Christian life: ornaments of grace are not hung on the tree of your Christianity but they are grown from it. Let me give you an example. Meet John. John is member ...

Have you ever noticed that when you eat certain types of food, particularly spicy foods, that the scent from the food stays with you well after the meal? If you were to happen to exercise the next day all of those around you would be aware of your spicy culinary experience. This is the unfavorable sweat. But, I have also learned to appreciate what I will call, “Gospel-Sweat.” This is a sweat that comes from people marinating in the...

This quote greatly encouraged me to rest in the perfection of Christ’s work. This resting brings me to treasuring him. I pray it encourages you too. (the emphasis in underlining is my doing)… At the cross this “righteousness” was found; human, yet divine: provided for man and presented to him by God for relief of conscience and justification of life. On the one word, “It is finished,” as on a heavenly resting ...

Years ago I worked in a financial brokerage. In particular I worked in compliance. We were very meticulous about ensuring that we said and did everything right. One phrase I remember seeing regularly is, “Past performance is not indicative of future results.” In other words, just because a fund or company has done well in the past does not mean that it will do well in the future. Typically this is appended to data that demonstrates s...

Last night my wife and I were up most of the night. Our little boy, 6 months, is learning to go to sleep on his own. As I walked about trying to get this little guy to sleep I was struck by the profound lessons that I can learn. For one, a baby is weak, immature, easily upset, and unable to govern himself. He can’t do what he wants to do. He wants to sleep but he can’t. It reminded me of myself as a Christian. I am needy and dependen...

Rick Warren is a masterful communicator. So, what is he endeavoring to communicate with his announcement that they are canceling the services at Saddleback Church this weekend so they can serve their neighbors? According to The Christian Post: “Good Neighbor Weekend” has been enthusiastically received by the majority of the 20,000 members at Saddleback Church in Orange County. Many have already signed-up online for acts of kindness, accord...

Prophet, Priest, and King. Those three words have biblical tonnage tethered to them. Each communicate the person and work of Christ with succinct theological clarity. The Heidelberg Catechism picks up this thread in question 31 (emphasis mine): Q: Why is he called “Christ”, that is, the anointed? A: Because he is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully reveal...