Call for Help
After five deaths and 51 injuries in elevator accidents in 2016, New York City launched an ad campaign to educate people on how to stay calm and be safe. The worst cases were people who tried to save themselves when something went wrong. The best plan of action, authorities say, is simply, “Ring, relax, and wait.” New York building authorities made a commitment to respond promptly to protect people from injury and extract them from their predicament.
In the book of Acts, Peter preached a sermon that addressed the error of trying to save ourselves. Luke, who wrote the book, records some remarkable events in which believers in Christ were speaking in languages they did not know (Acts 2:1–12). Peter got up to explain to his Jewish brothers and sisters that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy (Joel 2:28–32)—the outpouring of the Spirit and a day of salvation. The blessing of the Holy Spirit was now visibly seen in those who called on Jesus for rescue from sin and its effects. Then Peter told them how this salvation is available for anyone (v. 21). Our access to God comes not through keeping the Law but through trusting Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
If we are trapped in sin, we cannot save ourselves. Our only hope for being rescued is acknowledging and trusting Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
Eat Fast, Pay Less
A hotel in Singapore has started an ‘express buffet’—eat all you can within thirty minutes and pay only half the price! After one person piled food into their face at the thirty minute buffet, they said: “I lost my politeness, stuffing my mouth with yet more food. I lost all respect . . . and I lost any interest in…
Misusing Grace?
Paul said in Romans 5:20, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” It’s a wonderful truth which means that no matter how big or bad our sins are, God’s grace and love is even bigger. He will always forgive us in Jesus.
But the biblical writer Jude warned that it is possible to “[change] the grace of our God…
Star Power
When bad things happen and we feel totally helpless, we’ll often shout at God: “What are you doing?” If we’ve ever had that kind of reaction to pain, then Job chapter 38 will give us plenty to think about . . .
Job suffered a lot. More than most (Job 1:13-22). So he had some big questions for God. But…
Whispers
Under the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is called the Whispering Gallery. I found the reason for its name online: “The name comes from the fact that a person who whispers facing the wall on one side can be clearly heard on the other, since the sound is carried perfectly around the vast curve of the dome.”
In…
Looking Forward
Whenever my family gets ready to go on holiday, we like to read about where we’re going. We go through reviews of the hotel, look up things to do, find out how sunny it will be, study local maps, etc.
If we trust Jesus, we have an even better place to look forward to—heaven. But sometimes I feel like most…
Getting In
One time, when I travelled to another country, I wasn’t allowed in. There was some problem with my visa. I arrived off the plane thinking everything was fine—but I got turned away. Even though I talked to lots of different people and tried to fix the problem, in the end nothing could be done. I was placed on the next…
Moving On
How do we pick ourselves up after a mess up? How do we move on when we feel like we’ve let everyone down?
We can learn from King David after his affair with Bathsheba. Though the terrible results of his actions couldn’t be avoided (2 Sam. 12:11-12,14), he found his way back to God. He messed up big time, but…
