We evangelical Christians are known for teaching children to “ask Jesus into their heart.” From an adult perspective, it’s an odd phrase. Yet there is something to it, as we will see in today’s post. After teaching his disciples that if they love him, they will obey him, which might feel like a tall task,Continue reading “The surprising way God can live in us – John 14-16, Part 2”
Tag Archives: bible
Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1
When I was in Bible College, I was in the college library one day reading Christianity Today magazine. It was the September 1994 issue, and in that issue an article really caught my attention. The title of the article is “Who’s Afraid of the Holy Spirit?” by Daniel Wallace, at the time a professor atContinue reading “Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1″
Do we have to pray “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”? – John 14:1-14, Part 5
In my 20+ years of professional ministry, I’ve had the occasion to pray publicly quite a bit. I tack this phrase onto the end of nearly all my prayers, “In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Maybe you pray that way too. Maybe you’ve heard other’s do so. Why do we pray that way? Do we need to?Continue reading “Do we have to pray “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”? – John 14:1-14, Part 5″
How you can do greater things than Jesus – John 14:1-14, Part 4
As Jesus describes how we he and his Father want to be at home with us, it seems the disciples are not fully getting it. In John 14, verse 8, we read, “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’” At that comment, I wonder if any of theContinue reading “How you can do greater things than Jesus – John 14:1-14, Part 4”
What to do when your faith feels stale – Jeremiah 48
The other day I pulled a bag of potato chips out of our pantry, looking forward to a snack. I dug around the chips, pulled out a handful and started munching. Ugh! They were stale. Soft, bland, tasteless chips. It’s the rare person that enjoys stale anything. What about your practice of faith, your discipleshipContinue reading “What to do when your faith feels stale – Jeremiah 48”
What it means that Jesus is the embodiment of the way, the truth and the life – John 14:1-14, Part 3
Jesus has just told his disciples, in so many words, “If you don’t feel like you are at home with God, or that God is at home with you, and you don’t feel that closeness with God, you know the way to get there.” Immediately Thomas responds in verse 5. “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord,Continue reading “What it means that Jesus is the embodiment of the way, the truth and the life – John 14:1-14, Part 3”
God wants to make his home with you – John 14:1-14, Part 2
Jesus’ image of home is one of refuge, of safety. For some of you the thought of home is like that, warm and comforting. Perhaps you had a loving, stable family where your needs were met. Perhaps you felt safe, secure, and you could flourish. I’m not talking about perfection, as that doesn’t exist. ButContinue reading “God wants to make his home with you – John 14:1-14, Part 2”
What is “home”? – John 14:1-14, Part 1
What comes to mind when you think of the word “home”? I think of the house where my parents have lived for 40 years, the home I most remember. I loved growing up there, and I still love visiting. After Michelle and I were married, we lived in 5 different homes in our first fourContinue reading “What is “home”? – John 14:1-14, Part 1″
Do you have to die to experience eternal life? – John 14:1-14, Preview
Do you have to die to experience eternal life? You might think, “Yes, of course…isn’t that the definition of eternal life: ‘Life after death’?” Maybe not. Think about it this way: Does Jesus really just want us all to die so we can experience eternal life? Is there another way to think about it? I believeContinue reading “Do you have to die to experience eternal life? – John 14:1-14, Preview”
Cliques in the church and loving difficult people – John 13:18-38, Part 5
Over the years, people have said there are cliques in the church, and they don’t believe there shouldn’t be cliques in the church. A clique is a small group of people who like to be together and can be adverse to others joining them. What do you think? Are cliques antithetical to Christianity? In theContinue reading “Cliques in the church and loving difficult people – John 13:18-38, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 