Having Ears to Hear

The main method of passing down history, Scripture and traditions for the nation of Israel was oral transmission. God spoke in many ways and at many times by the prophets. God desires a people who hear His voice and live by every word that comes from His mouth. Having ears to hear was especially important in Jesus' time.

When He speaks, it is time to listen and understand. The Bible tells us that hearing is related to faith and faithfulness. Ears to hear is an idiomatic saying that calls for the listener to have an open heart and mind to what is about to be revealed.

In other words, saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear," is the same thing as saying, "Wake up and pay careful attention!" Only spiritual perception can understand spiritual revelation.

How many have missed a move of God because they could not perceive what God was doing? They recused themselves rather than opening their hearts and minds. They insulted, criticized and defended their position rather than change. It is time for us to be children of light who are shrewd and who have ears to hear. We cannot serve the culture and politics and still be able to take our place in the Kingdom. The shifts, sudden changes and even crises can both create unprecedented opportunities for Kingdom advancement and stimulate creative Kingdom strategies for finance, business, politics, family, education and ministry. We will encounter hostile situations that we will need to navigate in order to seize the opportunities they afford.

The Body of Christ must awaken to the opportunities that present themselves in the midst of crisis. We must see and hear with new understanding, and we must allow adversity to stimulate creative strategies for advancing the Kingdom. Let's allow the Spirit to influence our expectations and narratives so that our worldviews and mind-sets align with the Kingdom of God for our generation.

What Does It Means to Take Up Our Cross?

What Does It Mean to Take Up Our Cross?

For Jesus, the cross was a literal object upon which He suffered and died. It was a physical weight that also symbolizes the spiritual heaviness…

…but the cross also represents the suffering and surrender we all choose to endure for the sake of knowing and obeying Christ.

Taking up your cross means giving up our right to live how we want. It means letting Jesus dictate the trajectory of our lives.

Jesus made a way for us to know Him, but we have to choose whether or not we will follow Him.

“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.’”

What might God be asking you to surrender or sacrifice?

- He’s asking me to surrender my desire to live a comfortable life.

- He’s asking me to give Him my dreams and goals for the future.

- He’s asking me to surrender my life to Jesus Christ.

Prayer - 

“Jesus, I don’t want to lose what matters most by focusing on momentary things. So please help me. What I am tired, please strengthen me. When living a comfortable life seems more appealing  than following You unconditionally - please convict and correct me. Give me the strength to trust in You. I know that You are worth living and dying for, but please help me to live like it. Amen”

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life FOR ME and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

Our Most Important Work

Scripture is abundantly clear that Christians should be known for our love. Over and over again, God’s Word tells us that love should be our most important quality.

You may be familiar with Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:36-40 where He says the greatest command is to love God with everything we are. But just as important is that we love others.

Jesus even says in John 13:35 that everyone will recognize us as His disciples by the way that we love others. We won’t be recognized by our knowledge of the Bible, our families, the career paths we take, or the amount of time spent at church. While those are all important things, Jesus says that the most important quality is how we love other people.

1 Peter 4:8 tells us the same thing: we should be among the most loving people on earth, and our goal should be to love each other deeply. Peter, the author of this verse, also says love is the key to forgiving others. Just as we have been forgiven by Jesus, our love for other people should encourage us to forgive those who have wronged us.

Forgiving those who have mistreated us is one of the hardest things to do—it requires that we love deeply. That’s why forgiveness is evidence of a life marked by God’s love.

So if your closest friends were asked about your top qualities, what would they say? Would your top quality be how loving you are towards others? If not, know that you’re not alone. None of us are perfect, and we can all do better at this.

So what steps can you take to love others better? Are there people who have wronged you that you need to forgive? Are there people you have wronged that you need to reconcile with? Make a list of ways that you can show love to other people. Take some time today to ask God to help you become more loving.

The Purpose of Gratitude

Psalm 91:1-2; Psalm 34:8; Luke 7:36-50

We sing “hallelujah” because He is worthy. Period. What else do we have that’s fit for a King, aside from songs of gratitude being sung from deep within our lungs? When we remind ourselves of all that He’s done and when we actively choose thanksgiving, our hearts are softened to His Spirit. Personally, “thank you” is my favorite prayer. It’s probably what I should pray the most, because when I look at my life, I have so much to be grateful for. 

The Bible shows us countless accounts of people who lived with praise in their lips. David is prime example of someone who generously lavished the Lord with thanksgiving, which can be found as a common theme throughout his prayers. Some of his words are found in Psalm 9:1-2: “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praises of your name, O Most High.” While David did experience great blessings in his lifetime, he was also deeply acquainted with sorrow. He had been hunted by Saul and delayed in his kingship for fifteen years. He made mistakes which brought calamity on his head. And yet, he could still “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8). 

Another example is Mary, who quite literally poured out her praise with perfume on Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50). Jesus did not ask her to do this, and in fact, the Pharisees who were present rebuked her for it. The cost of that perfume is estimated to have been more than a year’s wages, and yet, she poured it out because He is King, and He is worthy. What an inspiring gift. Whether it’s a grand gesture like this or simply a shout of praise, God is taken aback by our act of thanks.  

Reflect:  

1.        How could you lavish your praise on the Lord this week?  Get creative and come up with your own way of saying “hallelujah” to our King.

2.         Whether you’re going through a storm or things are smooth sailing, thank God for the ways He has blessed you in the present and in the past. Reflect on the faithfulness He’s extended through every season.

Loving Our Ministers Well

Loving Our Ministers Well

Leaders are a necessary part of our world. We need people who carry the burden of leadership to help move culture forward, or be a representative for those who have none.

The Church also has leaders, often called pastors. They are leaders tasked with caring for, teaching, and leading the people of God. Pastors have dedicated their life to serve God by serving others.

Pastors and shepherds in the Church do not lead the same way as leaders in the world. Pastors are supposed to lead like Jesus did, through humility, gentleness, and service. Their primary task is to lead people toward Jesus.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 that we should make it a priority to encourage and thank our pastors and spiritual leaders. We should go out of our way to encourage and honor them.

This doesn’t mean that we put our pastor on a pedestal above everyone else. Pastors are people, too. But, as pastors seek to serve God by serving the Church, we should do everything we can to honor them as Paul says. In a time where pastors carry a lot of emotional burden, while also bearing a lot of societal pressure, we as the Church should do what we can to love our spiritual leaders well.

Take time to think about your own pastors, shepherds, or spiritual leaders. Think about the impact they’ve had on your own life and journey with Jesus.

An Example Worth Following

An Example Worth Following

Jesus stood there in silence as 600 men stripped him, spit on him, beat him, and mocked him. He stood there as they twisted thorns into a crown and shoved it onto His head. He watched as they gambled for His clothes. He was rejected, accused, beaten, stripped, and crucified—and He endured all of this willingly, because of love.

Imagine having unlimited power and authority, and giving it all up. Imagine voluntarily sacrificing your life so that others could also experience God’s deep, unconditional love. This is what Jesus modeled for us.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges… When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:6-8 NLT

Jesus knew Whose He was, and what He was called to do. He knew that selfless service mattered more than selfishness. He knew that humility was greater than pride. And He knew that obeying God would lead to our freedom and His glory.

Jesus modeled humility by laying down His life so that we could know the love of God personally. And if we say that we follow Jesus, then we need to have the same attitude and outlook on life that Jesus did. But we can only do this by staying united in Jesus as we follow His example together.

So, how do we stay united? We show love to each other. And how do we show love to each other? By thinking about other people first, and choosing not to hold onto bitterness. True love requires a willingness to let go of pride, and to serve without expecting anything in return.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:12-13 ESV

So who can you show love to today? Spend a few moments allowing God to reveal how you can practically embrace humility, stay united in love, and serve others selflessly today.

Have You Ever Thought?

Have you ever thought…

“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m not smart enough.”
“I’m not strong enough.”
“I’m not enough.”

Every day, we are bombarded with lies that try to convince us that we don’t have what it takes to follow Jesus. Every time we mess up, our insecurities reach out and tell us that we’ll always be weak—we’ll never experience the freedom Jesus says we can have. But Scripture reminds us that it’s Jesus’ divine power that gives us everything we need to live a godly life. With His strength, when we fall down—we can still get back up.

It’s in our weakness that God’s power is made perfect in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). By the power of Christ, nothing can keep its grip on us. Not fear, worry, doubt, defeat, discouragement, loneliness, hardship, or pain.

Through Jesus, we have everything we need to combat anything that attempts to seize our rightful identity.

God’s Word is filled with reminders of our true identity. It can remind you that…

You can rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for you. (1 Peter 4:12-19, James 1:2-4)

You are greatly loved, and you can love others. (John 15:9-14)

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:37-39)

When you understand who you are, that is when you will truly be able to do all things through Christ’s strength.

So let’s start applying the life-giving truth we find in the Bible so that we move from victimhood to victory.

Embrace who you are in Christ.

Sharing the Good News

The first words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark are an announcement of the arrival of God's Kingdom. And Jesus' last words to His disciples, starting in Mark 16:15, build upon His first announcement.

The call Jesus left us with was to continue telling others the Gospel's good news.

This good news is that Jesus has brought the arrival of the Kingdom of God to earth and that through His death and resurrection, He has made a way for all people to have a new life in Him.

This task of evangelism—telling others about Jesus, was the first thing that Jesus asked His followers to do as He left earth. Telling others about what Jesus has done for them is one of the most important things we can do with our time. We have been given the greatest gift of all—eternal life with God. But that gift is also freely available to the rest of the world.

So take some time today to pray for those in your life who do not know the hope that Jesus gives. Pray for their salvation, but also pray for opportunities to share your own faith story with them.

New Mercies

Even though God’s people had rebelled, even though the strength of Israel was gone and they were facing the consequences of their idolatry, even though their unfaithfulness was making their lives fall apart…

God still poured out His steadfast love. God still showed off His endless mercy. God still lavished His people with His constant faithfulness.

That is why they were not consumed. And that is why we still have hope.

If you’ve run from God, ignored His good design, disregarded His warnings, purposely rebelled against Him, or simply chose to forget His existence altogether, it’s not too late to turn back.

God doesn’t ignore those who come to Him. He doesn’t dismiss those with a humble and repentant heart.

He is patiently and faithfully waiting for those who will return to Him.

Hold On To What is True

Reading Scripture is vital to our intimacy with God. God’s Word is our weapon. It’s alive, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. And when we hide Scripture in our heart, it helps us battle with the forces of evil. We have an enemy, and the last thing he wants us to do is trust God and His Word.

Our spiritual enemy wants to keep us in a place of doubt and insecurity. But when we know who we are, we can confidently demolish every lie that distracts us. Like Jesus did when He fasted in the wilderness for 40 days, we can use Scripture to tell ourselves the truth and fight back against the devil’s schemes.

Below are some common lies we’ve all believed, and the truth we need to remember to overcome them:

Lie We Believe — I’m a failure, and I can’t do anything right.
God’s Truth — I may struggle, but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Lie We Believe — If God cared, why would He let these hardships happen to me?
God’s Truth — I know that God causes everything to work together for His glory and my good (Romans 8:28). God’s grace is sufficient for me, and His power is perfected through my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Lie We Believe — I’ll always be this way.
God’s Truth — I can change because I belong to Christ. The old me has gone and the new me is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Think through the lies you’ve believed. It’s easier to entertain lies when we allow them to become a part of us. But once you recognize the lies you’ve internalized, you’re halfway to victory. God gave us His Word so that we could know the truth … and it’s His truth that sets us free.

Let’s start living more like the conquerors we are, and apply the life-giving, hope-delivering, and devil-kicking power provided to us through God’s Word.

Becoming Fast and Slow

When we’re in difficult situations, it isn’t always easy to stay calm or hold our tongue for very long.

But in James 1:9, we hear how we should respond…

Be quick to listen.
Be slow to speak.
Be slow to anger.

The world is the opposite:

Be slow to hear what others have to say.
Be quick to voice your own opinions.
Be quick to accuse, argue, and fight.

Why is it so important to James that Christ's followers don’t behave like this? Because “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:20)

So what does produce the right kind of living that God desires?

The Word of God.

James told his friends to “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21)

He said that if they have the Word of God in them, and if they are obeying it, they will be blessed. (James 1:25)

James is clear that if we are to be followers of God, we must know God’s word and obey it. That means we need to take time to listen to others, pace ourselves when we speak, and keep our anger at bay.

So next time you’re faced with something that makes you angry, take James’ words to heart. Take time to temper your emotions, think through your feelings and arguments, and humbly pray for God to help you respond with kindness and grace.

Jesus Upholds the Law

Jesus was considered a great teacher of the Torah (the first five books in our Old Testament). His ability to teach those books amazed even the most educated priests and Pharisees.

In Matthew 22, his apostle writes about when He was in Jerusalem talking with the spiritual leaders of His day and handling the hard questions they asked. Jesus had just settled a question asked of Him by the Sadducees (a spiritual sect), and was now facing the Pharisees who wanted to test and trap Him.

One of the Pharisees asked Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

Jesus answered them by saying:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37-39 ESV

If anyone could sum up the law of God it was Jesus. He made it clear that those who believe in God will first love Him with their whole selves, and second, love those they come in contact with as themselves. This was what the law depended upon.

The only way we will love other people well is if we first devote ourselves to loving God and allow ourselves to be loved by Him. Growing in love for God involves intentionally spending time in His Word, having honest conversations with Him, and reflecting on His character every day, throughout the day. Showing love for God looks like doing what He commands—and that includes loving the people around us the way that God loves us.

So in what ways do you already love God with your heart, soul, and mind? And what steps can you take to love those around you today?

Keep Practicing

When someone is training for a job—any job—they must eventually make the shift from studying to practicing.

The apostle Paul knew how important such a transition was, which is why—even while confined to a Roman prison—he recorded the following words for the believers in Philippi, Greece:

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

Paul had taught them. Paul had trained them. Paul had loved them. And that’s why, from the isolation of a jail cell, Paul empowered them to live out what they’d learned.

Jesus, too, was passionate about His followers not just trying to look good or to sound good, but to do good—with a heart that genuinely wanted to glorify God. James, the half brother of Jesus, also wrote about not just listening to the Word, but doing what it says.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
James 1:22-24 ESV

It’s one thing to know about something, but it’s an entirely different thing to put that knowledge into practice.

The peace of God is a gift that He gives us. It’s something we experience as we draw near to Him by living in a way that honors Him. If we know His will but don’t do anything about it—that shows that we don’t really want to honor God. But if we do His will, then our actions illustrate that our identity is rooted in Christ. And our closeness to Christ allows us to experience His peace.

Doing the will of God—not just learning about the will of God—unleashes the peace of God.

So today, study what Paul taught and modeled (which is ultimately what Jesus taught and modeled). And then, ask yourself: “What is God teaching me about Himself, myself, and other people? How can I apply His teachings to my life?”

Living Within the Hope of God

Have you ever accidentally seen the end of a movie first? Knowing the ending probably shapes the way you understand the rest of the story.

Well, if you skip to the last few chapters of the Bible, you'll be skipping over a lot of really good stuff—but you'll also see how God will one day make all things right again. He will restore things that are lost, repair things that are broken, heal things that are fragmented, and ultimately make everything new. He will wipe away every tear and heal every broken heart.

That promise for the future should shape the way we live today. As Psalm 30:5 says, there are times in life that are filled with sorrow and grief. These are very real seasons that every person will experience.

The promises of God give us hope to endure difficult seasons. We know that even though things are broken and sorrowful right now, they won’t always be like that. One day God will restore things to how they are supposed to be.

As the Psalmist says, weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. That “morning” might not be tomorrow morning, or even a morning next week. But one day, God will come with a bright new morning in which everything will be just as He wants.

Until that time, we are tasked with living faithful lives to God while holding tight to the promises and hope that He gives us. Scripture is filled with other promises that God gives us to hold onto in various seasons of our life.

Take a moment to think of a few of God’s promises that are true for you today. Meditate on them. Let them fill you with hope as you follow after God.

Blessed are the Persecuted

It’s not always easy to stand for what’s right—especially when someone makes fun of you, gossips about you, lies about you, or even abuses you because of your decision.

But when sharing the eighth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus offered some hope:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10 NIV

Leading up to this verse, Jesus had spoken unexpected blessings over an unlikely group: the poor in spirit, those who were mourning, the meek, those craving righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. Finally, He offered a blessing to the persecuted.

Jesus elaborated:

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Now, we won’t be blessed for facing the consequences of our own terrible decisions. But Jesus is saying that you will be rewarded when you are shamed, canceled, or even physically persecuted because of Him.

Jesus knows what it’s like to suffer for the sake of righteousness.

You will be blessed for standing up for what is right, for trusting in God’s Word, and for defending those who cannot defend themselves. And when it gets hard, remember: you’re not alone.

The prophets before us were mocked, beaten, and even killed. Jesus’ disciples, the ones hearing these words, would also suffer and die because of their beliefs. They were persecuted for doing things differently: for loving their neighbors, fighting for sexual purity, resting on the Sabbath, and most of all, for declaring Jesus as Lord.

So no matter what it costs you, you will be blessed for standing up for what is right. Jesus says that yours is the kingdom of heaven.

Working for Peace

One look at the world around us and it’s clear: peace isn’t going to make itself.

Nations are warring and people are fighting and arguing. You may even have some personal relationships filled with bitterness and contempt. Thankfully, we can lean into Jesus’ wisdom in the seventh beatitude:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's be clear: peacemaking is different from peacekeeping. In fact, Jesus assured us that as long as we’re on this earth, we will face trouble. There will be chaos, division, misunderstandings, and a need for making peace. And that is why…

Peacemaking requires action.

Yes, peacemaking compels us out of our comfortable bubbles. But for those who are willing to step into the tender space of making peace, here are some thoughts to help you lead the way:

Peacemakers lead the way with humility. None of us are perfect and we all need grace. None of us are God, but we all need Him. Leading with a posture of humility is key.

Peacemakers lead the way with empathy. Even when we disagree with someone, respectfully listening and seeking to understand their perspective is essential for making peace.

Peacemakers lead the way with truth and grace. Any time Jesus interacted with people, He did so with both truth and grace. We must have both to accurately represent Him.

Peacemakers lead the way to the feet of Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Apart from Him, we are nothing. When we realize our mutual brokenness, as well as our mutual need for Christ, everything can change.

Seeking to be a mediator for those in disagreement doesn’t mean that every problem will be solved—immediately or ever. But when we invite God into those spaces and commit to the hard work of peacemaking, He can do more than we can imagine.

Is Your Heart Pure? (From Sunday)

What do you think about when you hear the word pure?

Do you picture a tall glass of crystal clear water? A freshly washed load of white sheets? Or maybe someone who’s morally wholesome and good?

In the sixth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus said this:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 NIV

The word "pure" means clean or blameless, free from corruption or contamination, purified by fire, or unstained by guilt. None of us can truly be pure on our own—despite our best efforts.

Before Jesus showed up, the highest ranking Levitical priests were charged with ministering and mediating in the holiest spaces (inside the tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, the temple in Jerusalem)—where God’s presence dwelled on earth. But even they had to be purified over and over again.

Now, because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross, He has paved the way for us. His blood covered our sins, and when we accept the sacrifice, He makes us pure. Now and forever, we can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God,” where we can find mercy and grace when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16). Now, our bodies are the modern-day temples where God’s Spirit has chosen to dwell.

Being pure of heart is not about being perfect, but trusting in Jesus to purify our souls.

As Isaiah once prophesied…

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”
Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Severe Mercies

Think back on a time when you were shown mercy…

Maybe you owed someone money, but they decided to cancel your debt. Maybe you hurt someone you love, but they gave you another chance. Maybe you made a huge mistake, but you received forgiveness instead of punishment.

In the fifth of the beatitudes, a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom, Jesus said this:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Matthew 5:7 NIV

Because we are imperfect sinners who have all fallen short of God’s glorious standards, we all deserve death. We all deserve punishment. We all deserve to be eternally separated from God.

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ NLT‬‬‬‬‬

Jesus is passionate about justice and righteousness while simultaneously fervent about grace and mercy.

That’s why He paid the ultimate price for us—so that we could truly live. That’s why He conquered the grave—to mercifully save our souls. That’s why He sent His Spirit—so that we could also show mercy.

To be clear, grace and mercy, while similar, aren't the same. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve (an unwarranted gift) while mercy is not getting what you do deserve (judgment and wrath).

And while it’s easier said than done, His people are called to be merciful. Even when someone has wronged you. Yes, even when they don’t deserve your kindness. Yes, even when you don’t feel like being merciful.

Jesus has shown us mercy. And now? We can offer it to others.

What Do You Crave?

Every day, multiple times a day, little alarms are triggered inside your brain. They make your stomach growl, your mouth water, or your mind become fixed on that which you crave.

God gave us physical needs that mirror our spiritual needs, too. Needs that must be met to stay healthy and alive. Needs that must be satisfied over and over again. In fact, food is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for our spiritual needs (it's called "our daily bread" in Matthew and the "pure milk" of the Word in 1 Peter, to name a couple.)

In the fourth beatitude, which are a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom, Jesus said this:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 NIV

Do you long for righteousness and justice? Do you desire the ways of God? Do you yearn for His kingdom to come? Do you want to be someone who chases after that which can never truly satisfy, or someone who hungers and thirsts after God?

In this upside-down kingdom where Jesus is Lord, the poor can be rich, the weak can be strong, and the empty can be filled.

Jesus Christ not only holds the keys to “living water,” but He is the “Bread of Life.” So, when you feel Him prompting your heart—to fight for justice, to love the unloved, to stand up for what’s right (even when it’s not popular)—pay attention.

He stands ready to fill you with everything you need.

The #1 Regret of a 70 Year Old Christian

This article comes from Crosswalk.com

Do you have any regrets?

I had a lunch with an elderly woman recently, a woman whom I’ve enjoyed Christian fellowship with for years. This woman is filled with wisdom and insights and knowledge. So when I asked her about the biggestregret of her life, I knew she’d respond well. But I didn’t know her words would be so impactful.

“Pursue holiness,” she responded.

“If I would have known that God wanted me to pursue holiness when I was in my twenties, that would have changed the trajectory of my life, and saved me a lot of heartache. Young people need to learn how to pursue holiness.”

I was speechless. And I’m a blogger.

Is there a more important message for young Christians today?

This is a good word not just for young Christians, but all Christians, yes. But I think this is something young Christians particularly need. We young folk tend to be more concerned with being cool than being holy. And this is a problem. Paul tells us that God saved us so that we might be holy (Ephesians 1:4) — a pursuit that Christians can seek with effort, without being self-justifying.

Still, “pursue holiness” may seem daunting or ambiguous. So here’s a few reminders for young Christians on this great pursuit.

1) Recognize that the pursuit of holiness is important.

God wants you to pursue holiness. Seems obvious, right? It’s not. Many young Christians are not hearing this message. It needs to be seasoned with grace, of course, but mentioned often in our pulpits, in our books, in our posts. The first step is recognition.

2) Get mentors. 

To be fair, it’s hard to find mentors. Really hard. People are busy and have a hard enough time looking out for themselves let alone the soul of another. But don’t give up. Pray that God will give you mentors, and that he will surround you with older, wiser Christians.

3) Develop a strong devotional life. 

I’m always amazed at how many Christians I meet who rarely spend time alone with God. Community is vital (more on that in a bit), but the regular rhythm of personal devotions is essential, one that young Christians would do well to develop sooner than later.

4) Read books on holiness. 

I don’t say this often, but R.C. Sproul’s book, The Holiness of God, changed my life, and is (and will probably remain) one of the best books I’ve ever read. I had been a Christian for years and knew little about God’s holiness. Sproul paints a picture of God’s holiness that, for me, changed the way I viewed the Christian life. I wish every Christian would read it.

Of course, it’s easy to read books on holiness and not pursue holiness. But here’s a few that may help:

5) Stay in community. 

Lone rangers are dead rangers. To pursue holiness, you need the church. Stay in community. God’s people will help you become more like Christ.

6) Remember that holiness is about grace-driven effort. 

It’s easy to get legalistic when talking about holiness. But I think too many Christians are quick to throw up the legalism flag when checked on this matter, partly to hide immaturity or to defend some idol. Yet, it’s easy to let the pendulum swing too far on either side. There needs to be a balance. You will fail often in this pursuit, and that’s okay: because Jesus is for failures and failures only. But don’t become so holy that you stop trying. As Kevin DeYoung says, “Let’s not be more ‘gospel-centered’ than the Bible. The Bible is not afraid of words like striving, fighting, effort, and work.”

What do you think?

I needed to write this piece more than you needed to read it. I’ve by no means perfected holiness, but who has? Glorification will come for God’s elect. But now, it’s sanctification. It’s enjoying Jesus and striving to become more like him. This message of holiness is for you and I. And I hope you take heed. After all, I don’t want you to end up with the same regret.