A Personal Journal of Grace and Discipleship
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20
From the blog
The Exchanged Life: Finding Freedom and Wholeness Through Spirituotherapy
In a world filled with competing counseling models, it’s not uncommon to find contrasting views on what “biblical” or “Christian” counseling truly means. Searching for answers can feel overwhelming, and the terms alone—“biblical counseling” versus “Christian counseling”—can spark endless debates on how, or whether, secular counseling methodologies fit within a Christian framework.
2 Timothy 2
Paul writes to Timothy not only as a mentor but as a man fully aware that his time is short and that the gospel legacy must not end with him. He calls Timothy—and, by extension, every believer—to be strong in the grace found in Christ Jesus, not through personal resolve but through moment-by-moment dependence on God’s provision. The mission is generational: the truth must be faithfully passed down like a treasured inheritance. To capture this, Paul draws on six vivid roles—the soldier, the athlete, the farmer, the worker, the noble vessel, and the servant—each painting a portrait of discipline, focus, endurance, and usefulness in the Master’s hands.
Acts 14
In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas faithfully follow their mission pattern: first the Jews, then the Gentiles, experiencing “good success.” Despite opposition, signs and wonders confirm their message. In Lystra, Paul heals a man disabled from birth—his faith ignited by the gospel leads to restoration. The townspeople, influenced by pagan belief, mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods. Horrified, the apostles tear their garments and urge repentance, proclaiming the living Creator who doesn’t live in man‐made shrines but reveals Himself in creation—even their own understanding of His invisible qualities (cf. Acts 17).
After the Yes
Today’s reflection immerses us in the radiant truth of 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.” E. Stanley Jones invites us to see Jesus not merely as the one who fulfills God’s promises, but as the Yes to every single one of them. Whether the promise is written in nature, inscribed in Scripture, buried in the longings of our soul, or evident in the upward pull of God upon our hearts, Christ is the personal “Yes” of God to it all.
Rescued from the Snares
The enemy's traps are rarely obvious—they are subtle, refined, and laced with half-truths, designed not to steal your salvation, but to rob you of the joy and peace that come from your secure position in Christ. The fowler’s snare isn’t laid for the dead or the distant—it is set for the living, the near, the abiding ones. So even the strongest believer must keep watch, relying not on spiritual sharpness of their own, but on the continual anointing of the Spirit to see clearly.
The Glory Beyond the Mirror
T. Austin-Sparks opens a window for us today—not into a method, a theology, or a spiritual ambition, but into a Person: Jesus Christ, in all His incomparable fullness. The heart of this reflection is simple yet majestic: everything that matters—both now and forever—is bound up in Christ alone. Not partially in us, not something shared equally with others, but exclusively and gloriously found in Him.
Prayer and Peace
Hannah’s longings ran deep. She wanted a son—not just as a symbol of motherhood fulfilled, but as someone to love, to cherish, to guide. For years, she had carried that hope, praying with tearful persistence. But heaven seemed silent.
The Life of the Incarnate One
Today’s reading from A.B. Simpson takes us into the supernatural secret behind Paul’s tireless ministry: he no longer relied on his own strength, but drew daily, moment by moment, from the risen Christ. The same body that was raised from Joseph’s tomb had become, for Paul, not just a doctrinal truth but a present, living source of vitality. Christ was not only his Savior, but his very life.
Permissible Promises Made to God
Not all promises to God are misplaced. While Scripture warns us about the danger of making self-reliant vows—especially those tied to obedience and performance—David shows us a better kind of promise: one rooted in dependence upon God's own faithfulness. In Psalm 18, David says, “I will love You, O LORD” and “I will call upon the LORD.”These aren’t declarations of personal strength but expressions of trust in the God who first loved him, who had faithfully delivered him again and again.
The Undeviating Test
Oswald Chambers brings to light a divine and often overlooked principle: we will be judged by the same measure we use on others. This isn’t just an ethical warning but a spiritual law flowing from the throne of God. Chambers highlights the difference between retribution—a divine balancing of what we give and what we receive—and retaliation, which stems from the flesh.
Truth Triumphant!
Today’s reflection from Miles Stanford reminds me that love, when untethered from truth, ceases to reflect the nature of Christ. The devotional sharply contrasts the pitfalls of experience-driven emotionalism on one side and rigid legalism on the other—both of which miss the fullness of Christ as Truth embodied.
Speaking Christ Produces the Propagation of Christ
Today’s reflection from Witness Lee brings us to the powerful moment of Pentecost, where Peter, freshly filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly spoke of Christ. His words were not mere recollections of past events—they carried the weight and life of the risen Jesus. He didn’t simply talk about Christ; he spoke forth Christ, and something eternal happened in that moment.
The Yes That Sets Me Free
E. Stanley Jones dispels the myth that Christianity is a bleak denial of life—a grim list of rules and restrictions that suppress natural joy. He draws our attention to the radiant truth of 2 Corinthians 1:19–20: “In Him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.”
Led by the Spirit
C. Stanley draws our attention to a simple but piercing question: Are you led by the Spirit of God, or are you simply reacting to the structures and strategies of the world around you—even those found within the religious realm? The difference, he suggests, marks whether or not we experience the full joy of our identity as sons and daughters of God.
The Rest That Bears Fruit
T. Austin-Sparks speaks directly to the exhausted heart of the striving believer—the one who’s reached for more of God through effort rather than intimacy. He confesses he was no stranger to that strain. And in doing so, he invites us to hear what the Lord patiently whispers to every spiritually worn-out soul: “If you only knew Me…”
Prayer’s Practicality
Jabez’s short but powerful prayer, tucked into a genealogical list in 1 Chronicles, might seem self-serving at first glance. But a closer look reveals something far richer: a heart attuned to God's desires, not just his own. Ray Stedman invites us to reconsider how we define selfishness in prayer—not by whether it benefits us, but by whether it aligns with what God desires to give.
Helping Along the Way
Today’s reflection from A.B. Simpson reminds us that in the eyes of God, the ministry of "helping" is not a side note—it’s a sacred appointment. Nestled in Paul’s list of church roles, helps are listed before governments, revealing something profound: Heaven values the hidden servants.
Unshakeable Assurance
God, in His infinite perfection, has an "inability" that is stunningly beautiful—He cannot lie. This is not a weakness, but a window into His unwavering faithfulness. The very fabric of His being is truth, and when He speaks, He does so with a certainty beyond comprehension.
A Royal Priesthood
Today’s reflection from Oswald Chambers calls us to step away from a self-focused spirituality and embrace our priestly calling in Christ. We are not saved to spend our lives measuring how saved we are. We’re not made holy so we can obsess over whether we’ve done enough to be called holy. Our salvation, our righteousness, our identity—all are already secured in Christ.
Personification
Today’s reflection from Miles Stanford speaks to the deep difference between passing along information and embodying transformation. We can’t minister life to others from a distance or from a set of facts, even if they are scripturally sound and passionately delivered. True spiritual impact flows not from what we know, but from what Christ has made real in us—often through the painful shaping of trials, the long road of waiting, and the quiet surrender to His process.
How Can Christ Be in Us?
We often speak of Christ being in us—but how is this possible? The answer lies in resurrection. If Jesus had remained only a historical figure, no matter how holy or admirable, He would still be separate from us. His goodness would inspire, but not indwell. His life would instruct, but not empower.