The Marvel of Grace

Posted on by Shannon

Often, before a meal-time prayer, we hear someone announce, “Let us say grace.” I’m not sure when such prayers began to be called grace, but it is a commonly-accepted practice today. In prayer we ask for God to give us His grace, so the prayer itself likely adopted the name. But there’s more to grace than human prayers.

God’s nature is that of grace. He is a gracious God. He is a grace-giving God. God is love. His grace brings salvation to all men and women of the world, hoping they will consider it.

Grace is a wonderful word. It means the free, unmerited favor of God. Grace is free but not cheap. It is the costliest gift ever offered.

Grace cost the Son of God his life. He, the friend of sinners, came into the world to make an infinite sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Potentially, His grace extends from the first human being to the last one that will ever live.

Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He was born to be crucified. He suffered our death that we might receive His life. He bore our sins that we might become righteous. He became poor that we might have His riches.

D.L. Moody said about the grace of God, “Grace isn’t a little prayer that you chant before receiving a meal. It is a way to live. The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.”

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18

– Tim and David Johnson

Faithful Friends

Posted on by Shannon

Life would be dire without a few good friends. I’ve known several people who chose to live alone and isolated, and it produced an oppressive atmosphere around them, magnified worries, and propped up narrow-minded views. But when people have friends, everything improves.

The woman of Luke 15:8-10, who lost an expensive coin, called her friends together to rejoice with her when it was found. Friendship keeps life a little lighter and easier to bear when troubles overshadow us.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one that this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Of course, Jesus was speaking about his upcoming death on the cross, but we can also learn that friends care about you, watch your back, and extend loyalty and sacrifice. Life is a lot easier when friends watch out for you.

The apostle John sent a message to a threatened church and said, “Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name” (3 John 15). Christians are friends who bring emotional health to others.

The writer of Proverbs said, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov.27:17). The author, W.J. Deane said of this verse, “Men’s thoughts are stimulated and sharpened by conversation. Friendship broadens a man’s views. He is able to see how other men think and feel. Thus, he is lifted out of the narrowness of his own single vision. Such breadth gives strength when it is accompanied by an earnest love of truth and right. One good, true friend is more helpful than a score of mere acquaintances. Hence the supreme importance of cultivating friendship with the wise and good.”

The helpful effect of good associates, and the influence we have on each other is evident in all of these verses from the Bible.

Christians work hard to make friends with all kinds of people. We’re open to it. It’s part of our mission. Will you accept our friendship?

– Tim Johnson

A Day For Families

Posted on by Shannon

Tomorrow is Family Day here in Ontario. The first time it was celebrated in our province was in 2007, but its origins come from an earlier celebration in Alberta. Eight out of our ten provinces observe it, some using different titles. It’s encouraging to see our country acknowledge the importance of families.

The world over, families are viewed as the foundation of society. The first family was, of course, Adam and Eve (Gen.3:24). The book of Genesis is full of stories of the patriarchs searching for good people to marry, their successes and failures. Soon adultery and polygamy began to spoil things, the first being that of Lamech’s illicit relationships that were accompanied by violence (Gen.4). That has continued throughout time and is present today. But that doesn’t destroy the need for good families. In fact, all nations have passed laws protecting families, usually out of concern for the welfare of children or the orderly allotment of assets should a family dissolve.

There is nothing quite like a good family. Think about the following:

· Commitment adds security

· Love adds joy

· Children add focus

· Grandchildren add fun

· Old age adds appreciation

· Common faith adds purpose

No family is perfect. Sometimes there are disagreements, differences and poor attitudes. But love, commitment and determination will help a family moderate, adjust, prevail, and thrive.

Some people lose much of their families to abandonment, death, or to great physical distances. As Christians we must step in to help look after such people, for we are family in Christ – the household of God (1 Tim.3:15).

Enjoy your family this weekend, but also reach out to those who are alone. You’ll be blessed if you do both.

– Tim Johnson

The Effect of a Good Home

Posted on by Shannon

Good homes don’t always produce smart kids. Try as we may, our children sometimes make big errors when they get out on their own. The world and all its temptations beckon, questionable friends fill voids, and life’s hard edges easily discourage.

Jesus spoke of a young man like that in Luke 15:11-32. We don’t know his name, but we know his type. He had his hand out and felt his dad owed him something, then stormed off when he got it. His story is like that of many young people today: easy money is used up far too quickly and there’s nothing left when times become hard. For the young man of the parable, he ended up doing the dirtiest job possible for survival: feeding pigs out in a muddy field. And that wasn’t even enough; he was so hungry, the pig food looked appetizing.

But one day he remembered home. Things really weren’t that bad there. Everybody had enough to eat and nobody was cold at night. He decided he’d been foolish and wasteful, and it was time to go back. He didn’t know it, but his father was hoping he would see his son come over the horizon soon. There was a tender reunion, although a few snags had to be ironed out.

A good home facilitated this. If his dad was a hard, unforgiving man his son would have preferred starving before he’d go home. But he was a kind and just person. His son had come home ashamed and weary; his dad welcomed him. The son knew his father. Theirs was a home that allowed second chances. It was also a home that used good communication to sort out problems. When the older son protested the homecoming party, they sat down and talked it over. Good homes do that.

Kids think of home when times are difficult. Make it a place worth remembering.

– Tim Johnson

Day of Reckoning

Posted on by Shannon

We’ve all been shocked and surprised by the downfall of many politicians and people in the entertainment industry due to poor morals, bullying, or bad behavior prompted by alcohol. Their victims have been harmed physically and emotionally, and many of them have courageously said, “enough!” For many offenders, the courts will pass judgment.

Some people may cynically point out that for every person caught many more escape justice. While this is unfortunately true, there is a day coming when every guilty person will be dealt with. No one will escape. Even criminals who have carefully left a cold trail that no one has yet been able to follow to apprehend them will face justice.

The Bible calls it the day of judgment. God assures us that “He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). That man, of course, is Jesus Christ. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Here’s what we know about it:

· It will happen at the end of the world.

· No human calendar reveals the date.

· It will completely surprise people.

· All judgments will be righteous and fair.

· All judgments will be final.

While all men should be aware of the Day of Judgment and let it temper their behavior, God has provided a way to be delivered from its fury. We are to “wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Have you taken steps to ensure you will do well when that day comes?

– Tim Johnson