Month: February 2024

No One

~ ForCommonGround ~ 1 Comment

No one is beyond the need for God. It is part of our brokenness that drives us to do life on our own. When problems arise, we think we can fix them. When relationship are difficult, we think we have the power to make ourselves and the other whole. As a man, I can say that I have struggled so much in the area of feeling the weight of providing for my family, and have often carried it on my own. the weight is crushing. Sin, when admitted, is often seen as an area kept to ourselves, to be fought on our own terms. Many people in the world think they can get by on their own merits. That they can live a life where the good somehow outweighs the bad. That they are the so called captains of their own fait. But the reality is, it was never meant to be this way. In the book of Romans, chapter three, it says that ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. This is one of those self evident truths. We don’t have to look beyond ourselves to see just how true this statement is. You are broken and imperfect. I am broken and imperfect. There isn’t a single human alive who can attest to any kind of perfection. The Christian minister, the Buddhist monk, the Catholic Pope, Islamic Imam, and the front line philanthropist, all need God…and equally so. Our standing with God, is only established by the grace of God, through our faith in God. We are all His creation but so much in us tries to deny that deep-seated need for our Creator.

No on is beyond the reach of God. It would be a sad tale if the story ended with our need and dependency on God in order to be whole. With that need comes a promise. In that same chapter of Romans, it says that all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Our need finds it’s fulfillment in Jesus. It’s not in a career, our kids, wealth, our good deeds, or any sort of success we have in this lifetime. While all of those things are good, they can never bring wholeness. Only Jesus can do that. Because only Jesus and impart holiness onto every single broken human in this world. All we have to do is recognize that…choose Jesus…and allow the brokenness to be mended. I have been following Jesus for a very long time. I am still not a perfect person. But I am holy. Not because of myself, but because of Him whom I swear allegiance to. I do have purpose and meaning to my life and it far supersedes any temporary achievement, no matter how great it may be. I have a hope that can never be shaken no matter what happens to me or those in my life. Because it is not based on circumstances, comfort, or control. And I have that because God reached me. Just like He can reach you, and those you know. And God is reaching people all over the world. Christianity is the fastest growing faith worldwide. The top ten countries with growing believers are, Nigeria, China, The Philippines, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Literally thousands of mosques have closed down in Iran because people are leaving Islam for Jesus. Some estimates have it as high as 60% of the total number of mosques have or will be closed. The Bible itself is full of stories of lost and sinful people being redeemed by Jesus and their lives being used for godly purposes. God has a long history of reaching prostitutes, murderers, liars, adulterers, sexually immoral, thieves, and many more.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

No one is beyond the love of God. I try and tell my children every night that I love them always, no matter what. I want them to see God’s love reflected in the way I love them. I want them to know that His love is far greater than anything they will experience on this earth. He loves you. He loves everyone. Always no matter what. The problem is, far too few actually love Him in return. Far too many reject Him and deny Him and in the end will spend eternity separated from Him. Imagine how that pains God’s heart. Especially when he went to the greatest lengths possible to show the world His love. Jesus, being God in the flesh, allowed Himself to be beaten, mocked, and scorned, and after all of that, allowed His own creation to nail Him to a cross. Jesus, Perfection, died in the place of imperfection. Holiness in the flesh hung on cross where you and I belong. Why? Because He loves us. With a love that is so difficult to grasp. A love that pursues it’s enemies in order to die in their place. A love that denies self at the greatest cost so that unworthy people can receive the greatest gift. If He loved us enough to do that, there is nothing we can do or have to do in order to earn it. But we do need to choose Him. To choose His love. To allow ourselves to be loved and to be driven by that love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Sturdy Living

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

“”Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the ancient parable found in the Bible, Jesus tells of two builders—one who constructs his house upon a foundation of sand, and another who builds upon solid rock. The obvious conclusion is of course that the foundation of our thoughts, actions, and motives really matter. But there are some other concerns that I’d like to highlight here.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Thinking: Building on sand may offered quick results and convenience, but it lacked sustainability. Similarly, choosing short-term gains over long-term stability can lead to eventual downfall. It’s crucial to prioritize faithfulness over fleeting gratification. When our biggest concerns are our feelings, and our comfort, then we are going to be unsteady and lacking in both. The pursuit of godliness is often found in the day-to-day decision to focus on the things of heaven and Christ’s mission.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Colossians 3:1-2 ESV

Resilience in Adversity: Life is unpredictable, and storms will come in various forms—financial hardships, health crises, relationship struggles. The parable teaches us to cultivate resilience by preparing for challenges and fortifying our inner strength to persevere through adversity. Knowing what Jesus says about us can drowned out the hurtful things others may say. Knowing God’s love for us revealed in His word can help us when we feel unloved by others. Knowing God’s amazing track record of faithfulness can sustain us in the uncertain times of life.

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Wisdom in Decision-Making: Just as a builder must carefully choose the foundation for their house, we must make wise decisions in all aspects of life—career, relationships, finances. Consulting trusted mentors, seeking advice, and weighing consequences can help us make choices aligned with our long-term goals. Knowing what God’s will is for our lives can help us be wise in all things we do.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV


The parable of building your house on the sand serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of a strong foundation, wise decision-making, resilience in adversity, and faith in the face of uncertainty. The only way we can achieve these things is by knowing truths that God has been speaking to His children since the beginning. Living by the truth leads to sturdy living.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.