What evidence does your life show to the people around you about your beliefs? If you are a follower of Jesus, do your life actions reveal that? What evidence should a follower of Jesus be showing? This week we’ve been studying 1st Thessalonians 1:4–10, and Paul concludes by describing the evidence that he saw andContinue reading “Five important pieces of evidence that reveal followers of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10”
Tag Archives: serving
The importance of taking a new risk for the mission of Jesus – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 5
My wife and I each turned 50 this past year. That milestone birthday is just another day on the calendar, and it is a time for reflection on the past and hope for the future. In that sense, turning 50 was like a New Year’s Day. Each New Year’s Day, many people review the pastContinue reading “The importance of taking a new risk for the mission of Jesus – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 5”
Why following Jesus means stepping out of our comfort zones – Growing in Faith Together, Part 5
In the previous post, I said that in Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus was thinking correctly when he said that he was going to leave his disciples. Why? First of all, he has given them plenty of opportunities to learn from him over the past three years. He trained them. He discipled them. He pushed them outContinue reading “Why following Jesus means stepping out of our comfort zones – Growing in Faith Together, Part 5”
Giving is living – John 17:1-5, Part 2
Jesus has one more bit of work to do. Not a small bit either. It is the final offering. Jesus would be offering his life through his beating, his crucifixion and his death. Astoundingly, as Jesus tells us in his prayer in John 17:1-5, his offering brings praise to God. In fact, Jesus in verseContinue reading “Giving is living – John 17:1-5, Part 2”
Why followers of Jesus go lower and lower to serve – John 13:1-17, Part 5
All week long, we’ve been studying the famous story in which Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Why did he do it? Jesus explains why in John 13, verses 12-17. “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”Continue reading “Why followers of Jesus go lower and lower to serve – John 13:1-17, Part 5”
Why Christians should not be like John Wayne – John 13:1-17, Part 3
Peter knows his culture. A rabbi does not do servant’s work. That’s why Jesus’ disciple Peter responds to Jesus as he does in John 13, verse 6, “Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’” Anyone else there should be washing Jesus’ feet. That was theContinue reading “Why Christians should not be like John Wayne – John 13:1-17, Part 3”
Two ways to get to know the real Jesus – John 7:1-52, Part 2
In the previous post, Jesus’ brothers heckle him and then leave for Jerusalem to attend the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. After his brothers leave, Jesus comes up with a plan. Look at verse 10. “However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festivalContinue reading “Two ways to get to know the real Jesus – John 7:1-52, Part 2”
How Jesus wants you to be the light of the world – Christmas 2022, Part 5
In this week of Christmas posts, we’ve learned that Jesus shines his light into our lives so that we can be a part of his family. In a previous post this week, I mentioned that one of Jesus’ earliest followers, a guy named Paul, wrote in 2nd Corinthians that people can be deceived so thatContinue reading “How Jesus wants you to be the light of the world – Christmas 2022, Part 5”
God has an important role for you in his mission – John 4:27-42, Part 5
In the previous post, Jesus taught his disciples that they should see themselves as harvesters. He wasn’t referring to harvesting in the farming world, but harvesting for God’s Kingdom. Jesus was saying that just as they were his disciples, their mission was to help more people become his disciples. Just then, something happened to illustrateContinue reading “God has an important role for you in his mission – John 4:27-42, Part 5”
God will strengthen you for the task he gives you – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 3
Have you ever felt that God has given you a task that is too difficult? I think Ezekiel felt like that. As we have been learning in our study of the life of the prophet Ezekiel, God shows up in a shocking way with even more shocking news for Ezekiel. It was news that EzekielContinue reading “God will strengthen you for the task he gives you – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 