Month: February 2025

Jesus appeared to Mary first

February 14, 2025

Mark 16:9 NLT – After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.

Some people I have spoken to over the years have said they are not worthy to be saved because of how they have lived their lives. They have said even God would accept me.

In the above verse we see that the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary. She had lived a questionable life and even had seven demons.

If anyone felt unworthy of Jesus’ love it would be Mary. But Jesus met her where she was at and cast out her seven demons. She was a changed person.

Mary became a follower of Jesus and she was one of the people who went to anoint His body with spices after His death. She went with Mary the mother of Jesus and Salome.

I love that the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary. A demon possessed outcast who was transformed by His love and His healing. Her life would never be the same.

If you feel unworthy of God’s love today, I want to say that God has a special love for those who have gone astray. The Bible is filled with people who started off on the wrong path, but found God’s love and healing in Jesus.

If this is you, why not turn to Him today? He is a prayer away and waiting for you with His arms out stretched towards you.

Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am sorry for the way I have lived my life. I ask for a new fresh start today. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sin. I give my life to You today. I want to follow You as my Lord and Saviour. Please bring healing to my heart and soul. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit to strengthen me. Cast out anything that is not of You. I ask in Your name, Amen.

For more information please visit my finding salvation page and my discipleship page.

To be a Christian book

February 12, 2025

I just received a hard copy of a book I have been reading. I had been reading the PDF version and found it to be a great resource, so I decided to add it to my physical library.

To be a Christian is a catechism style book that has over 360 questions and answers. It touches on all areas of our faith as Christians. I wish I had something like this as a new Christian, it would have been really helpful.

Here is an example question and answer about Jesus…

  1. Who is Jesus Christ?
    Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the Savior of the world. Fully divine, he took on our human nature, died on the Cross for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now rules as Lord and King over all creation. (Numbers 21:4–9; Psalm 110; John 3:13–15; Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 1:15–20)

I really love that it has a short answer that you could memorise and it has all the Bible references that you can look up.

Here is a description from the publisher…

Catechesis is an ancient practice of Christian disciple making that uses a simple question-and-answer format to instruct new believers and church members in the core beliefs of Christianity. To Be a Christian, by J. I. Packer and a team of other Anglican leaders, was written to renew this oft-forgotten tradition for today’s Christians. With over 360 questions and answers, plus Scripture references to support each teaching, this catechism covers the full range of Christian doctrine and life, drawing from the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and other important doctrinal summaries. Clear, concise, and conversational, this resource was written for all believers who seek to be grounded more deeply in the truth of God’s Word.

I downloaded a free PDF copy from here, and then purchased a hard back copy from Koorong.com here.

How many Christian denominations?

February 10, 2025

One statistic I have heard quoted many times is that since the Reformation in the 16th century 45,000 Protestant denominations have arisen. I have lost track of the times of have heard it said and then quoted as a source.

Today I watched a YouTube video by Ready to Harvest that talked about this and where the figures came from. It is quite interesting to see the original research and the methodology used to come to that number. You may be surprised to know the number is way smaller than 45,000, more closer to 300 main denominations.

The family of God

February 9, 2025

John 1:12 NLT – But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

The Bible tells us we become children of God when we believe in who Jesus is and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. We become His children and a part of His eternal family. This means we join every person who has accepted Jesus in the last 2000 years!

When we accept Jesus we become part of the communion of saints that the Apostle’s Creed talks about. We are brothers and sisters with those alive today and those who have already gone to heaven.

God’s eternal family is big, very big. But the good news is there is room for more. The Bible tells us that God is being patient so every last person can make it in. He does not want any one to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

If you would like to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you can pray the prayer below.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour. In Your Name. Amen

For more information please visit my finding salvation page and my discipleship page.

Billy Graham documentary

February 3, 2025

I just watched this special on the life and preaching of Billy Graham. Watching it brought me to tears many times. To me Billy was an inspiration in the way he stayed true to God and the message of salvation through Jesus. To hear him preach again and see people streaming to the front of stadiums to accept Jesus is priceless.