In the Life of Christ The man came running. He knelt before Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. There is something moving about his urgency. He was asking a question that mattered more than his possessions, though he had not yet discovered how closely the two were tied. Jesus spokeContinue reading “When Jesus Asks for the One Thing We Keep”
Tag Archives: following jesus
When Faith Costs More Than Convenience
As the Day Begins “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus…. If we endure, we will also reign with him.” — 2 Timothy 2:3, 12 Christian faith brings deep joy, but it was never intended to be another form of entertainment. Paul wrote these words to Timothy from prison, knowingContinue reading “When Faith Costs More Than Convenience”
Don’t Stop Halfway Up the Mountain
As the Day Begins “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” —John 12:26 The word “mediocre” comes through Latin roots suggesting something situated halfway up a mountain. It is a fitting picture of a ChristianContinue reading “Don’t Stop Halfway Up the Mountain”
Turn Around—The King Is Coming
In the Life of Christ There is something refreshingly uncomplicated about John the Baptist. He does not arrive in Luke’s Gospel trying to build a following around himself. He has one message because, ultimately, he has one mission: prepare people for Jesus. Luke tells us that John went throughout the Jordan region “preaching a baptismContinue reading “Turn Around—The King Is Coming”
Grace Was Free to Us—But It Was Never Cheap
DID YOU KNOW We often speak about the cost of discipleship, but before we ever consider what following Jesus may cost us, Scripture asks us to look carefully at what our salvation cost Him. Luke 9 brings those two truths together. Jesus tells His disciples that He will suffer, be rejected, be killed, and riseContinue reading “Grace Was Free to Us—But It Was Never Cheap”
CALLED BEFORE WE WERE READY
In the Life of Christ “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” —Matthew 4:19–20 When Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee and called Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, He did not begin by examining their qualifications. HeContinue reading “CALLED BEFORE WE WERE READY”
WHEN THE KING CALLS YOUR NAME
In the Life of Christ “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” —Mark 1:17–18 There is a difference between receiving advice and hearing a command from someone who possesses rightful authority. Advice allows us to consider our options.Continue reading “WHEN THE KING CALLS YOUR NAME”
WHEN JESUS CALLS YOU OUT OF THE BOAT
In the Life of Christ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” — Mark 1:17 There is something almost startling about the simplicity of Jesus’ call in Mark 1:16–20. Simon and Andrew are working. James and John are working. Nobody is sitting in a synagogue waiting forContinue reading “WHEN JESUS CALLS YOU OUT OF THE BOAT”
WHEN JESUS BECOMES THE ONE THING
In the Life of Christ “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” —Matthew 4:19–20 When I read Jesus’ call to the first disciples, I am struck by how few details He gave them. He did not present Simon andContinue reading “WHEN JESUS BECOMES THE ONE THING”
WHO IS SETTING YOUR PACE?
As the Day Ends “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” —1 Peter 2:21 As this day comes to a close, it is worth asking who has been shaping the pace of my life. Scripture repeatedly shows that people areContinue reading “WHO IS SETTING YOUR PACE?”