Granite rock standing firm on wet sand as tide recedes at sunrise, illustrating Matthew 7:24-27 and the phrase “the tide goes out, the Rock remains.”

The Cross Offends Before It Heals—And That’s Good News

A first-century disciple kneels in reverence inside the empty tomb as divine light illuminates the stone slab. Discarded burial linens lie in a heap, while the neatly folded face cloth glows softly with the words “I Will Return,” testifying that the Father who sent the Son, raised the Son, and folded the cloth has done everything for our salvation.

The Folded Cloth That Sets The Weary Soul Free

Dramatic biblical scene of Lazarus rising from the tomb, still tightly bound in soiled grave clothes like a mummy, hopping forward into blinding heavenly light as Jewish onlookers in 1st-century clothing react in terror and awe. Overlay text reads: ‘When God calls us, we come – alive. He did it to Lazarus, right? John 11:43-44’. Illustration of God’s sovereign, effectual call that raises spiritually dead sinners to life (Romans 1:6-7; John 11:43-44).

What Romans 1 Actually Says in the First Seven Verses: Election, Grace, Zero Human Credit

A thoughtful believer stands slightly apart in a church fellowship hall holding a Bible, with a thought bubble reading ‘Wow—that sermon was powerful… why is no one talking about it?’ while others chat casually in the background. Illustrates the common experience of feeling alone in church despite being surrounded by people.

Feeling Alone, Yet Never Truly Lonely: A Birthmark of the Regenerate Heart

A prison door stands open at dawn with broken chains on the floor; muddy footprints lead out into golden sunlight forming a cross-shaped shadow. Text reads: “Grace opened the door. The Spirit lights the path. Will you walk?”

Study Guide: New Life in Christ – Overcoming Sin by the Spirit [ In Easy English ]

Granite rock standing firm on wet sand as tide recedes at sunrise, illustrating Matthew 7:24-27 and the phrase “the tide goes out, the Rock remains.”

The Cross Offends Before It Heals—And That’s Good News

A first-century disciple kneels in reverence inside the empty tomb as divine light illuminates the stone slab. Discarded burial linens lie in a heap, while the neatly folded face cloth glows softly with the words “I Will Return,” testifying that the Father who sent the Son, raised the Son, and folded the cloth has done everything for our salvation.

The Folded Cloth That Sets The Weary Soul Free

The Folded Cloth That Sets The Weary Soul Free
Posted in

The Folded Cloth That Sets The Weary Soul Free

The risen Christ left a folded face cloth in the tomb—His silent signature that the work is fully, finally done.
Yet how many turn His sending into striving, His commission into a ladder of performance:
“Do more, give more, build more—or you’re failing Me.”
That voice is not His.
“It is finished,” He whispers.
Rest in the doing of Another, and from that rest bear witness that the war is over.

by Jason•
What Romans 1 Actually Says in the First Seven Verses: Election, Grace, Zero Human Credit
Posted in

What Romans 1 Actually Says in the First Seven Verses: Election, Grace, Zero Human Credit

Most people read Romans 1:1–7 as a polite hello.
They are wrong.
Paul begins with thunder: God sovereignly appoints, sets apart, promises, declares, calls, and saves — all before we ever move a finger. Election is not hidden in Romans 9; it is blazing in the very first lines.
This short Bible study from my morning notes shows plainly:

Paul was chosen, not a chooser.
Gentiles were always saved by grace alone.
The resurrection crowned Jesus as Lord.
Faith obeys because it is already saved.
“Called” means God decides who belongs to Christ.

No free-will myths survive these seven verses.
Only boasting in the Lord remains.
Come. Let Romans 1 kill your pride and heal your heart.

by Jason•
From Feeling to Scripture: How to Boldly Test Your Call
Posted in

From Feeling to Scripture: How to Boldly Test Your Call

“I feel called.” We’ve all said it—or felt it. But the apostles never stopped at feelings. Paul always pointed to Scripture: “It is written.”
What if our sincerest convictions need testing against God’s timeless order? From cultural pressures to pragmatic shortcuts, churches quietly drift—prioritizing experience over divine design.
Ahead: a gentle, historical look at how this happened, key texts unpacked (Eph. 4; 1 Tim. 2), and biblical steps to realign every call with God’s full counsel.
Let’s move from feeling to Scripture—boldly, humbly, together.

by Jason•
The Slow Absorption: Rome’s Velvet Conquest of the Reformation
Posted in

The Slow Absorption: Rome’s Velvet Conquest of the Reformation

In the last 50 years, major Protestant bodies—Lutherans, Reformed, Methodists, Anglicans—have signed documents that whisper:

“We agree on justification… mostly.”
“We recognize each other’s baptisms… sort of.”
“We’re all climbing the same mountain to the same God.”

That is not unity. That is absorption.
On the surface: “We agree that salvation is by grace through faith.”
Underneath: “Works are the fruit of faith… and necessary for final salvation.”
Wait—necessary?
That is Trent, Session VI, Canon 24—anathema to every Reformer who ever lived.
Luther would have burned the document.
Calvin would have called it “a perfumed poison.”
But today? It’s taught in seminaries as “progress.”

by Jason•
The Shocking Burden of the Eucharist Express Train
Posted in

The Shocking Burden of the Eucharist Express Train

St. Alphonsus Liguori claimed in The Dignity of the Priest that priests are “creators of the Creator” through consecration. The procession elevated clergy as essential channels—burdening laity with dependence, akin to Shinto priests mediating kami blessings.

The Freedom: God alone creates (Isaiah 44:24); Christ mediates solo (1 Timothy 2:5). Ministers proclaim, not produce, God. Approach Him directly (Hebrews 4:16), free from hierarchical chains.

A Call to Rest: From Burden to Bold Freedom

Beloved friends in the procession’s crowds or Shinto’s shadows, your seeking honors God—but lay down the weights. Your desire for holiness honors Him, but the path to rest is open now, without a mediator or a cycle of works. Jesus invites: “Take my yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).

by Jason•
Test Everything: The Biblical Case Against Quoting False Teachers | すべてを試せ – 偽教師の引用を禁じる聖書の根拠
Posted in

Test Everything: The Biblical Case Against Quoting False Teachers | すべてを試せ – 偽教師の引用を禁じる聖書の根拠

Discover why Scripture commands us to “test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and reject selective quoting of false teachers. This post explores the biblical case against compromise, the dangers of modern theological movements, and the call to guard the gospel with discernment. Learn how to stand firm in sound doctrine.

by Jason•