Darkened Glass Reflections
Living today with an eye on eternity
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Ascension and Pentecost III. The Gospel of Forgiveness
One of the most important, and in many churches least emphasized, elements of Jesus’ post-resurrection teaching is the message of forgiveness. Yet, it is central to Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, and it should be central to our message. As He prepared them for their forthcoming ministry, He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If…
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Ascension and Pentecost II: The Mystery of the Incarnation in Heaven
Jesus Christ is fully God (the eternal Son of God) and yet fully human.
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Ascension and Pentecost I: A Unified Gospel Message
On the traditional church calendar, the Easter season lasts 50 days, beginning with Easter Sunday and ending seven weeks later with the Feast of Pentecost. Easter and Pentecost are not merely bookends on a cycle of Scripture readings for Sunday worship. Along with the Feast of the Ascension (on the 40th day of Easter, 10…
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The Truth Will Set You Free
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).
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Proverbs 7:1–5—Internalizing God’s Word and Wisdom
God does not want us to simply know His Word. He wants us to internalize it. He wants it to become such a part of our innermost being. As God’s Word abides in us, Jesus abides in us, and we abide in Him. Then, our lives will bear fruit showing that we are God’s children.…
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The Word, the Light, and the Lord
The Word of God is the light that leads us to God and shows us the path we should walk in. Jesus is the Word. He is the light. He is God incarnate.
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Walking Through the Valleys. II: To the Other Side
A valley is merely a low point between two high places. You can climb the mountain out of the valley to the glorious summit where the light of the Son dispels all darkness. If you are in the valley, continue to follow God. Praise Him that He wants you to abide on the mountaintop, not…
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Walking Through the Valleys. I: Entering the Valley
Psalm 23 reminds us that we may wander into the valley even while we are obeying God. This sheep could say, with all honesty, that the Lord was his shepherd. He was following his shepherd, but he still found himself in a valley. You do not need to sin or lack faith in God to…
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The Annunciation: Saying “Yes” to God
In speaking to the angel, Mary speaks FOR all true disciples of Jesus: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Let this be our prayer: That we can be faithful to God, obeying Him and doing His will regardless the circumstances and risk, trusting Him…
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Storing Up God’s Word—Psalm 119:9–11
Although Psalm 119:9 refers to “young men,” this passage is not reserved for a certain age group. All can benefit from this wisdom. Young men, young women, old men, and old women all need to keep our ways pure, and the answer is true for all of us.
Darkened Glass Reflections 