UBC Wed For Life

           The Bible includes four Gospels. Each tells the story of Jesus with a slightly different focus. The Gospel of John, more than any other, makes its agenda clear. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  - John 20:30-31 John wanted readers to understand that Jesus, even as he walked the Earth, was divine. He was God in human form. When viewed through that lens, the events that are only mentioned in John become very interesting. Consider the account of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I a...

                          Let’s just be honest: something’s off. Not just in the news headlines, corrupt systems, or “those people over there”—but right here, in us. We feel it when we blow up on the people we love, when we chase success and still feel empty, and when we pretend everything's fine but quietly sink under the weight of anxiety and shame. We have a sin problem. I know, “sin” isn’t exactly a hot topic in today’s world—it sounds old-fashioned, harsh, or overly religious. But before you click away, hear me out. What if naming the problem honestly is the first step to real freedom? Sin: Not Just Bad Behavior, but a Broken Operating System Biblically, sin isn’t just doing bad things. It’s deeper. It’s the fracture in the human heart that separates us from God and causes us to center everything on ourselves. Romans 3:23 says it plainly: “ All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. ” Not some. All. Sin is th...

                          We all know the Bible stories about Moses, David, and Jesus. Each of them came off as larger than life figures who accomplished unbelievable feats. Moses took on the Pharaoh and led the Hebrews to freedom. David killed a giant as a boy and went on to become one of the most renowned kings in history. Jesus lived a miraculous life and died to save humanity. Their stories are so impressive that even most nonbelievers have heard them at some point. Those three and a few others in the Bible were the protagonists of the big stories. However, the Bible isn’t composed solely of big stories. Not every character in the Bible accomplished something world changing. That doesn’t mean those characters aren’t important or that God wasn’t using them to teach vital lessons. Consider Hannah and Eli. You’ll find their stories in 1 Samuel. Both are outshined by primary figures like Samuel, David, and even Saul. Still...

                                       Hearing complaints about the woes of today’s world has become commonplace. It’s easy to look at everything we see happening around us and come to the conclusion that we are living in unprecedented times of badness. That’s not really true, of course. A quick perusal of any history book will show you that people have been doing despicable things for ages. In fact, some of the uncomfortable developments we’re experiencing now (e.g., an abandoning of child labor laws and fair employment policies) are actually things that were commonplace in the past. The Bible is another place we can look to understand how bad things were in the past. When it comes to the Book of Genesis, many people can recall the stories of Adam and Eve or Noah, but do people really understand what the world was like back then? We Christians know that, today, believers in Jesus have a...

                           Last month, Donald Trump was inaugurated as president of the United States again. Since then, the country has been in turmoil. He’s implemented many new policies and orders that have impacted a lot of people in the nation and abroad. Of course, those who voted against him are unhappy with what he’s doing. On the other hand, many of those who voted for him continue to support him and his efforts. Some of his supporters and people who did not vote might now regret their actions. They see the direction the country is going and are feeling like they made the wrong choice, be it voting for Trump or choosing not to vote at all. Whether you like Trump or not, we all knew what we were getting with him as president. He’s been in that position before. When he campaigned this time around, he was clear with his messaging and intentions. He’s now doing exactly what he said he would. The majority of Ame...

In today's society, the need for salvation through Jesus Christ is often downplayed, with many believing that good works, deeds, and worldly gains are sufficient for a fulfilling life. The prevalent mindset suggests that personal achievements and acts of kindness alone can secure one's place in eternity. However, the truth is that salvation is a gift from God, freely given through His grace. This newsletter aims to debunk the myth that works can save us, highlighting the biblical truth that salvation cannot be earned but is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Join us as we explore the scriptures and understand why faith, not works, is the key to eternal life. WHAT IS THE TRUTH? According to Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  Our faith is what saves us; no amount of good works can grant us eternal life. Romans 3:23 states that all have sinned and fall...