Did you ever notice how grown men, line up in front of a camera during some of the largest stages of their lives, and wave to the camera, saying, “Hi, Mom!” Mothers are an important part of who and what we are, and without a mom there is no one who would be here today. It doesn’t matter if your mom is “good” or “bad”, she carried us for 9 months in her womb. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and this week I reflect on the power of mothers to shape the world, through the raising of their children to impact this world. As a mom, never allow the world to minimize your impact nor your sacrifice. It needs to be recognized and acknowledged. My mom was not perfect, but then again, neither am I, What I know is, and will never question, is that my mother loved me and sacrificed for me. I am what I am today, in part, because of the ministry of my mom to me. Tell your mom, Thanks … READ MORE

In Ephesians 4:16, we see that the power for being equipped and matured into lovingly authentic proclaimers is not in believers themselves, in their leaders, or in church structure. The Body receives its authority, direction and power as it grows “up in all aspects into Christ, from whom the whole body [is] fitted and held together.” The proper working of each individual part recalls the importance of each believer’s gift. The growth of the church is not a result of clever methods but of every member of the body fully using their spiritual gift in close contact with other believers. Christ is the source of the life and power and growth of the church, which He facilitates through each believer’s gifts and mutual ministry in joints touching other believers is to stay close to Jesus Christ, faithfully using their spiritual gift in close contact with every believer they touch. As with all living organisms, spiritual growth in the church does not come from forces outside but from the vital power within that causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself. When the church is built up according to Christ’s plan, the world will know it is … READ MORE

In Colossians 3:12-14, “forbearance” (“bear with each other’), and forgiveness are put together. We use the word “patience” in the place of forbearance today. The mark of a person who lives in grace is that they are willing to “put up” with others. Love not only covers a multitude of sins, but also a multitude of faults in one another. The extent of our love for each other will be based on our consciousness of and appreciation of God’s love for us. Forgiveness differs from forbearance in that it has to do with real wrongs committed against us. Christian living by grace recognizes our own spiritual bankruptcy, and by recognizing our bankruptcy it leads us to put on the garments of grace. We must begin and end with an understanding of our unworthiness to have God’s grace, but the wonder of receiving that grace. Today, as we lay aside our remnants of self-goodness and admit our total spiritual bankruptcy, we can drink deeply from the infinite grace of God. This drink will provide for us an awareness of what we have received, and extend that same spirit of grace to others.… READ MORE