There’s a step of faith that carries you across from where you are into an experience of the risen Christ. If there’s a spark, would you fan it into flame with faith? He’s real. He’s risen. And he’s here.
Lord Jesus, stay with us! For the hours fly by and we are far from home. Too much breaks. Too many leave. Our grip is fragile and our hope is frail. Stay with us. Be known to us. Open our eyes to see you ever with us.
This day, join us to yourself anew in the sharing of the bread and the cup.
Stay with Us!
April 17, 2022 • Gerrit Dawson • Luke 24:28–35
Remove This Thorn!
May 1, 2022 • Gerrit Dawson • 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Jesus tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you.” It’s enough. It satisfies. Your lack of strength opens you to receive my strength. If you could live on your own without me, you would. And you would miss out on what truly makes for life. You would end up with nothing but yourself and you would be lost. My way leads to life. Trust me, this narrow path is hard but it is true. I am leading the very creation through the groans and pains of making all things new. Trust me. The thorns of Satan are meant to lead you to my cross of life. What Satan means to ruin you, I use to take you deeper into myself.
Who Are You, Lord?
April 24, 2022 • Gerrit Dawson • Acts 9:1–9
Salvation is the work of God in our lives. I can’t make you repent and believe. You can’t make yourself repent and believe. This is God’s work. If you want it, that’s God prompting you to want it. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of the equation. You want God to show himself to you? Ask him. Are you tired of kicking against God’s reality and getting smacked and bloodied? Turn to the Lord Jesus. Embrace him as he embraces you.
Today, I Must Stay at Your House!
April 10, 2022 • Gerrit Dawson • Luke 19:1–10
The truth is that I need to be liberated from myself. I need so desperately to be free from the ruin that comes when I get my will and my way. I need to be retrieved from being lost in trying to create my own reality. I need to be redeemed out of demanding and into gratitude. Redeemed out of proving myself and into the grace of Christ’s acceptance. Redeemed out of the deep pit of swirling around me and into the arms of Christ. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, Jesus said. Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Liberation into more of myself is bondage and death. Liberation into Christ is life and health and peace.