In John 1:37 we read: “When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” Following Jesus. It’s something Christians do. But what does it mean? We can’t physically follow him because he isn’t physically here. I can follow a friend’s car down main street because I can see it. But I can’t see … Continue reading Following is imitating
discipleship
Jump anyway. I can see you!
Jesus said: “Follow me” (John 1:43). I’ve noticed something. People who are confident in Jesus, and who are confident about his ongoing provision and power in their lives, don’t tend to tremor as much at what the future might bring. I’m not saying they never tremor. I’m saying they don’t tend to tremor as much. … Continue reading Jump anyway. I can see you!
Confidence and obedience: mutual accelerants
[If you accidentally received this twice, sorry!] Check out this pattern in John 1: Andrew and another disciple asked Jesus where he was staying: “Come, and you will see” (verse 39). Jesus calls Philip with the simple but ever-direct words: “Follow me” (verse 43). Philip tells Nathaniel that they have found the Messiah. Nathaniel isn’t … Continue reading Confidence and obedience: mutual accelerants
Following Jesus is 3D, not 2D
Think of a circle, and then think of a ball. One is two-dimensional, and the other is three-dimensional. From a distance, they look the same. But the closer you look, the more you notice a difference. One is flat, the other is, well, not flat. You can play basketball with a basketball. You can’t play … Continue reading Following Jesus is 3D, not 2D
Are you headed in the right direction?
A lot of people wonder if their life is headed in the right direction. Am I doing the right things? Am I setting the right priorities, and am I living by the right priorities? Let’s not be unclear: Your life is always headed in the right direction if you’re following the right person. And that … Continue reading Are you headed in the right direction?
Beliefs that change how you live
In the much-quoted Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Brothers and sisters, you don’t actually believe beliefs that don’t change how you live. Notes: … Continue reading Beliefs that change how you live
Be a place of learning
As you track through the book of Hebrews Jesus is given all the praise and glory. But then in chapter 3, verse 6 we learn that “we are [God’s] house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” Further, we are “holy brothers and sisters” in that house … Continue reading Be a place of learning
The awesomeness of his uniqueness
Jesus is different. And if you belong to him, you’ll most likely be considered different or strange as well. So let’s buttress ourselves and take a closer look at the awesomeness of his uniqueness. First, Jesus is God-with-us. He is the very fullness of God in human form (Colossians 2:9). ‘Do you mean to say … Continue reading The awesomeness of his uniqueness
Instruction in the Way
In Acts 16, the jailer who had been guarding Paul and Silas asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house” (verses … Continue reading Instruction in the Way
Being true to who?
In his book The Closing of the American Mind, Allan Bloom describes an outlook on the world which has become very popular. Montreal philosophy professor Charles Taylor summarizes: “relativism was itself an offshoot of a form of individualism, whose principle is something like this: everyone has a right to develop their own form of life, … Continue reading Being true to who?
The Up Devotional 