The Church of Jesus

In Acts 3:1–10, we see one of the most striking early stories of the church. A lame man sat outside the temple each day, looking for coins. He didn't expect healing, only survival. But when Peter and John came by, they didn't give him what he asked for—they gave him something infinitely greater: healing and restoration in the name of Jesus. The man jumped up, walking and praising God, while the crowd stood amazed. This story reminds us that the Church was never meant to be about polished appearances or safe routines—it was meant to be about transformation in the name of Jesus Christ.

The passage challenges us with three uncomfortable realities: beggars, miracles, and the name of Jesus. Beggars confront us with need. Do we turn away, or do we truly see the people God places in front of us? Miracles remind us that God is not bound by our limitations, even though we often explain away what we can't control. And the name of Jesus—used boldly by Peter—reminds us that true healing, true salvation, true life can only come from Him. These are not things the world always welcomes, but they are central to our faith.

For us today, this passage calls us to be more than spectators of faith. It calls us to be vessels of hope, willing to step into the uncomfortable places of need. We may not heal every sickness or solve every crisis, but like Peter and John, we are called to give what we do have—the presence of Christ in us. This might mean feeding the hungry, listening to the brokenhearted, praying for the sick, or walking alongside someone in their struggle. Each of these is an act of faith in the name of Jesus.

So here is our challenge: let's not shy away from the hard places of faith. Let's study God's Word to see how the early church lived boldly. Let's pray for the courage to see the needs around us and to act in Jesus' name. And let's not walk this road alone—let's do it together as a community of believers, supporting one another in love. That's when the world will see people not just limping through life, but leaping and praising God.

A Deeper Look Into Holiness

Grace, Faith, and Holiness
Our spiritual journey begins with God's grace. Just as God reached out to Abraham while he was still surrounded by idols and false gods, He reaches out to us in our own brokenness. We don't earn His favor or prove ourselves worthy; instead, He calls us into covenant relationship by His initiative. Like Abraham, we are invited to trust Him and walk forward into the unknown, not because of our strength but because of His faithfulness.

Faith that Transforms
Faith is more than intellectual agreement—it is a settled conviction that God is who He says He is. Abraham didn't know everything about God at first, but he responded in trust, and that trust became the foundation for his journey. In the same way, Nicodemus struggled to understand Jesus' teaching about being born again, yet Jesus made it clear: salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith, empowered by the Spirit. Our role is to trust, respond, and let God transform us.

Progressive Holiness
The Christian walk doesn't stop at grace and faith—it grows into a life of progressive holiness. Abraham's story is full of both failures and victories, but through it all, God kept shaping him into a man of faith. So it is with us: holiness isn't a list of rules or a status we achieve. It is God's Spirit continually transforming us to reflect Christ's character—shaping our speech, our choices, our relationships, and our witness. Holiness is about being restored into the fullness of what God created us to be.

Challenge for the Week
This week, I challenge you to sit with three passages: Romans 4:1–17, Genesis 12:1–4, and John 3:1–17. Read them slowly, reflect on how God initiates the call of grace, how faith is the response, and how holiness grows in the journey. Ask yourself: Am I trusting God fully? Where do I need to let His Spirit transform me more? And how can I step more deliberately into this progressive walk of holiness?

Is Holiness Still a Thing?

Holiness in a Broken World
We live in a world that feels far from what our grandparents knew—a world scarred by violence, corruption, and moral drift. Yet in the midst of this, God's call to His people has not changed: "Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). Holiness isn't an optional extra for "super-Christians" or a secluded life away from society—it's a universal call for every follower of Jesus. This call is both practical and relational. It's not about legalistic rule-keeping, but about living in an intimate relationship with Christ, shaped by His Spirit, and reflecting His character in our everyday lives.

What Holiness Really Is
Holiness isn't earned by ticking boxes of religious behavior or avoiding certain "bad" things. It's not about isolation from the world but transformation within it. True holiness flows from loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind—and loving our neighbor as ourselves. It's a daily surrender that allows God's Spirit to reshape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions so we reflect Christ's humility, compassion, and purity. As Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, holiness is expressed in how we treat others—even our enemies—with love, grace, and truth.

Holiness in Action
From the laws of Leviticus to the teachings of Jesus, God's Word shows that holiness is deeply practical. It's about honesty, generosity, justice, and mercy in our interactions. It's about living transparently before God and others, holding nothing back, and letting His character be visible in us. Holiness means choosing people over profits, serving instead of exploiting, and valuing others as Christ values them. It's about becoming "less" so that Christ may become "more" in us (John 3:30).

A Challenge for the Week Ahead
This week, take holiness beyond Sunday. Ask yourself each morning: How can I reflect the character of Christ today? Be intentional in loving someone who's hard to love, forgiving someone who's wronged you, or serving someone who can't repay you. Set aside time to deepen your walk with God in prayer and Scripture. Holiness is not a finish line we cross but a daily journey of surrender, growth, and love. Let's live so that when others see us, they see the light of Christ shining through.

Let the Fool Out — Embracing a Life of Faith that Defies the World

There's a striking statement in 1 Corinthians 1:27 that reminds us, "God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise." It's a powerful truth, and one that hits close to home for many of us who have chosen to follow Jesus. Throughout Scripture, and even in our modern lives, we see that choosing to live by God's wisdom often means going against the grain of what the world values. Wealth, status, and power may be the world's measuring sticks for success—but God's call is different. It's a call to humility, love, forgiveness, and sacrificial service—a path many see as foolish.

This so-called "foolishness" is not recklessness. It's not about being intentionally bizarre or irrational. Rather, it's about aligning our lives with Christ—even when it makes us look strange to others. Consider Noah, Abraham, David, the apostles, and even Jesus Himself—all "fools" in the eyes of their culture for trusting in God's promises and stepping out in faith. And yet, each one experienced the miraculous as a result of their obedience. They chose to walk by faith, not sight, and God honored them.

To be a fool for Jesus is to live a life that doesn't always make sense to the world but is deeply rooted in the wisdom and love of God. It means giving generously, loving radically, forgiving repeatedly, and trusting completely. It might mean leaving behind security to pursue calling, offering kindness instead of vengeance, or holding onto hope when others have given up. We are not alone in this; Scripture and the saints before us remind us that God uses the "foolish" things of this world to do extraordinary things.

So the real question is: what kind of fool will we be? Will we let fear of judgment, or the need to appear reasonable, keep us from living boldly for Christ? Or will we, like Paul, wear the label "fool for Christ" as a badge of honor, trusting that one day we will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant"? Let the fool out. Not for show. Not for rebellion. But in full surrender to the God who sees beyond the surface, who calls us not to blend in, but to stand out for His glory.

This week's challenge: Spend time reflecting on the following passages: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31, 1 Corinthians 4:10, Isaiah 55:8–9, and Luke 6:27–36. Read them slowly and prayerfully, and consider what foolishness you may be called into for the sake of Christ. Ask God to grow in you a faith bold enough to look different from the world—and deep enough to trust Him fully with each step.