THE SEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A gracEmail subscriber has a vision of what it means to be like Christ, but she feels completely helpless to change her thoughts, words, and deeds to bring that vision to fulfillment. Does scripture provide any guidance or inspiration in resolving this common and widespread problem? * * * God does not merely forgive sinners and leave us in our sin. Having forgiven us, he changes us to be like Jesus. Meanwhile, the present temporary world-order is also working busily to change us. But its goal is the very … [Read more...]

THE THIRD DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. HEAR MOODY AND SANKEY -- Dwight L. Moody was the "Billy Graham" of the 19th century and an important figure in the history of evangelistic methods and organization. So far as is known, only one brief recording of his voice survives -- in which the evangelist reads the Beatitudes. Moody's singer was Ira D. Sankey, whose hymns are still found throughout many Christian hymnals. Moody Bible Institute also houses recordings of Sankey singing. For resources on both men, go to: … [Read more...]

THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A gracEmail subscriber has heard that Romans 12:1 says our life each day is "worship," and concludes that we are not required to "go to church" or attend any kind of formal worship. Is that true or not? * * * Just true enough to twist and miss the whole point of the passage. After 11 chapters proclaiming and explaining the gospel, Paul now gives the "so what" to all the "what." Romans 12:1 begins: "I urge you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the tender mercies of God . . ." Whenever we see a … [Read more...]

THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. LIFE-GIVING -- Although often more commentary than translation, Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of the New Testament titled The Message is excellent writing that often informs and inspires nonetheless. Consider this snippet based on the first two verses of the twelfth chapter of Paul's message to the Romans. “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing … [Read more...]

THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. The name of Houston's Joe Jamail, aka "The King of Torts," will not be forgotten soon. Not at Baylor College of Medicine or the University of Texas, Rice University, or Texas Southern University, to name a few recipients of the philanthropic trial lawyer's legendary largesse. Mr. Jamail died early this month with a personal net worth of about $1.65 billion, according to Forbes. And that was after he gave away two hundred million or so. Although now dead, Joe Jamail will be remembered--at least for a while … [Read more...]

THE TWENTIETH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. PURITANS FREE ONLINE -- Regent College and Carey Theological College, both in western Canada, have merged their respective collections by Puritan authors, now housed together at the John Richard Allen Library in Vancouver, B.C. The 80 combined titles came mostly from the digitized personal library of Dr. J. I. Packer. For list of books included, Puritan authors, and links to read this online collection, go to: allisonlibrary.regent-college.edu/ JOHN POINTS US TO EAGLES -- God's children, whether … [Read more...]

THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. Jesus Christ personally commissioned his apostles to make disciples of all the nations, to baptize believers and teach them to do everything Jesus commanded (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). The baptism in this commission is gospel baptism in water. John the Baptist contrasted his own baptism in water with the far greater baptism in Holy Spirit that Jesus would administer to believers--whether before their baptism in water (Acts 10), after it (Acts 19), or simultaneous with it (Acts 2). But … [Read more...]

THE TENTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A number of gracEmail subscribers report a common frustration associated with new year's resolutions. They resolve to achieve various stated goals, attain at least limited success for a time, then completely run off the rails. Do I have any tips on ways they can increase their determination, effort, and results? * * * As I see it, merely upping the effort is not likely to help in this situation because the problem here is not lack of intensity. More likely, people break resolutions because they are not aligned … [Read more...]