Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

Out came the man who had died, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44 Don’t you love it when rereading a familiar Bible passage reveals new insights into God’s amazing grace? Most Christians probably know the account ofContinue reading “unbound”

For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus…There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:26, 28 There’s a lot of talk these days about “privilege,” defined by Merriam-Webster.com as “a right of immunity granted as aContinue reading “privileged”

“One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25b My Bible reading this morning brought me to one of my favorite places: the ninth chapter of John’s gospel. If you’ve read the gospels, the story here is probably familiar to you—it’s when Jesus heals the blind man on the SabbathContinue reading “keep it simple”

The Israelites said to (Aaron and Moses), “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3 If you’re older in the faith, you’re probablyContinue reading “the good ol’ days”

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 When I was growing up, I was taught that looking good to others was very important. Whether it was keepingContinue reading “enough”

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 The Bible has a lot to say about fools, especially in the Old Testament. Fools are described as those who ignore or scoff God and HisContinue reading “call me a fool”

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 As Christians, all we have to do is look around at the American culture—and the world—to think, “Yep, Jesus is coming back soon.” (Or, if you’re like me, that has become a more fervent prayer.) Although first-century believers thought Jesus’ return would be in theirContinue reading “the LORD is near”

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are fullContinue reading “call them out”

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:9-10 In 1970, Stevie Wonder releasedContinue reading “delivered, signed, sealed”

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-4 What would your answer be if I asked, “Do you love Jesus?” If you are a Christian, you’d likely reply with a hearty, “Yes, of course!” YouContinue reading “what would we risk?”