We are Creatures of Matter that Long to Matter

Guest post today from one of my esteemed seminary professors at Grace School of Theology, Dr. Fred Chay, who sends out updates every Friday through his ministry, Grace Line. He writes:“We are Creatures of Matter that Long to Matter.”Rebecca Goldstein's book, “The Mattering Instinct,” has excavated an essential truth and a perplexing question.When I was in university, we studied the psychology of the soul and philosophy for the mind. We examined both the physical and metaph

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Seek Me

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13

In a world full of “terms and conditions,” it can sometimes feel like God’s promises are just hoops we need to jump through. But remember, we serve a gracious God. This verse isn’t about demanding perfect performance from us; instead, it’s an open invitation to a close, loving relationship that has already been made possible through Jesus.

The “seeking” isn’t what makes us worthy of Him;

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This One Thing

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:41-42

It’s common for us to wear our busyness like a badge of honor, but Jesus’ words to Martha remind us that our constant "doing" might actually pull us away from the more meaningful "being" with Him. Martha was simply practicing hospitality and serving her Lord, and she

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Keeping Focused

“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:2

Though I’ve never run a marathon myself, I’ve heard it’s common to feel overwhelmed by all the responsibilities that come with it. The Greek word for “looking” literally means to “look away from everything else” and focus on a single point. To succeed in a race, you n

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Making God Visible

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. — 1 John 4:12

The Apostle John explains how people can “see” a God who is invisible in our verse. While we may never fully behold God's essence, His presence is not hidden from the world around us. Instead, what He has chosen to do is reveal His glory through you and me, who know Him as our Savior.

Think about how John describes that when we walk in habitual, self-sacrificial

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Get Out of Your Rut

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.— 1 Peter 1:13

There are moments in our daily lives when everything starts to feel a bit monotonous. The activities and responsibilities that once seemed exciting and new have slowly become routine and maybe even a little dull. But don't worry—there are simple ways to add some fresh energy and enthusiasm back into

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Seeking Eternity’s Values

“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! — Psalm 39:4

In today's world, there's a strong focus on youth and living a long life, so David’s prayer in this verse might seem quite surprising to us now. He’s not wishing for a long, comfortable life or retirement, but instead, he’s asking for a humble and sober heart. He also seeks God's help to remember his own fragility—his finite existence.

It's worth pondering the questio

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Sing, Sing, Sing!

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their

trust in the Lord. — Psalm 40:3

Before the song begins, there's a pit he was in. In the earlier verses, David describes being stuck in a "miry bog"—a symbol of helplessness and sinking. He didn't climb out by himself; instead, he waited for the Lord, who "drew him up" and helped him find firm ground.

When God delivers you, He doesn't simply give you a "new lease on life"—He bless

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Suffering Well

Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. — 1 Peter 4:19

A dear friend shared a short clip of a young Korean woman offering a beautiful illustration of perseverance with a Korean word. She explained, “Soo-goh-het-suh,” where “soo” means “you received” and “goh” means “suffering.” When fully translated, it means “You carried your pain, but you still kept going.” I really love that message.

Suffering can

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Breakfast Anyone?

As I read ahead for our continued study in the Gospel of John, verse 12 of chapter 21 caught my attention this morning as it was breakfast time. "Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' Now none of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord.”

After a long night of hard work that didn't seem to pay off, the disciples came back to shore feeling tired, hungry, and empty-handed. Instead of rebuking them for their lack of faith, they found a coz

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Making It Count!

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. — John 9:4

In John 9, Jesus meets a man who’s been blind since birth. Before doing the miracle, He takes a moment to share something important with His disciples—and us—about how quickly God works. While the disciples were trying to figure out why the man was suffering, Jesus was all about getting the job done.Jesus paints a vivid picture: “Day” is like the chance to live and t

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A Heavenly Boost

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7

Everyone encounters moments in life when fear persists, whether it's a tough conversation or an unknown future. This fear is genuine and can silence our ability to witness effectively.

Paul, from a dark Roman prison, reminds Timothy (and us) of a vital truth: Fear does not originate from God. Instead, God has given believers a special Spirit within us. Here's a breakdown of the three

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Peace in the Storms

Peace in the Storms

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and

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Give Yourself To

In 2 Peter 1:7, the apostle urges us to a lofty standard: “knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” This verse highlights the culmination of a divine sequence of virtues, transforming our faith from inner commitment into outward expression.To "give yourself" to this verse means adopting active, sacrificial affection beyond private faith.Fro...

A Cry of Hope

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.—Joel 2:32a

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a storm—dark clouds, thunder and lightning, chaos everywhere? This wasn’t a metaphor from the Book of Joel; it was a reality of judgment and destruction. And yet, amid all the gloom and doom, God offers a lifeline.

In this part of verse 32, we see a radical inclusivity. God says, “everyone who calls on His name” will be saved. It

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