Focus On Jesus

Focus On Jesus

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

Let’s encourage each other today to hunger and thirst for Jesus and His righteousness—to be right with God through Christ and to live right in obedience to Jesus.

Remember, Jesus has the spiritual nourishment we need:

Isaiah 55:1 CSB

“Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the water; and you without silver, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without cost!”

And Jesus—not man, man’s religion, or any religious organization—satisfies the longing soul:

John 4:14 CSB

“But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”

Jesus and His teachings are our nourishment:

John 6:48 CSB

“I am the bread of life.”

If religious activity has left you empty, then come to Jesus:

John 7:37 CSB

“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.’”

Our calling is simple yet profound: Serve Jesus. Follow Jesus. Listen to the teachings of Jesus in the Bible. Put His words into practice.

And make sure we give all the glory to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God who sent Messiah Jesus.

His Yoke Brings Rest

His Yoke Brings Rest

"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." — Matthew 11:30 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Whatever the burden, Jesus has an invitation for you.

He says, "Come to Me."

Jesus never intended for us to carry life's heaviest burdens alone. When He speaks about His yoke being easy and His burden being light, He's inviting us to walk closely with Him. Instead of struggling in our own strength, we can rely on His. Instead of being overwhelmed by worry, we can rest in His care.

The circumstances around us may not change overnight, but something wonderful happens when we give our burdens to Christ. He gives us peace in the middle of the storm, strength for each new day, and the assurance that we're never walking alone.

So today, whatever is weighing on your heart, give it to Jesus. Trust Him with your concerns, lean on His promises, and let Him carry what you were never meant to bear.

Go Into The Highways

Go Into The Highways

I was reading this morning about Jesus’ teaching from His parable of the wedding feast:

Matthew 22:9-10  NKJV

“Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.” So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

I have thought of that as a command to me. How about you?

The Holy Spirit in me drives me to Jesus, to His teachings in the Bible, and points me to the highways to invite people to come to Jesus Christ in faith for salvation. I want to preach the same message as Jesus: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

For some, they are unable to physically get out onto the streets and highways to tell people about Jesus. But there are so many other ways we can share the Gospel—a blog, a podcast, or even prayer time from home for the lost in the world.

We can also look to the Holy Spirit this hour to fill us and give us boldness to speak the Word of God.

Acts 4:31

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Fellow believer in Christ, I encourage you to treasure the time God has given you to minister. You’re never too young or too old to tell others about Jesus.

Use the opportunities God gives you. Go into the highways, invite people to come to Jesus, and trust Him with the results.

A Conqueror

A Conqueror

Revelation 2:7 NIV

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

In Revelation 2:7, the term “victorious” or “conqueror” refers to those who overcome challenges and remain faithful to God despite trials and temptations. The Bible provides several insights into what distinguishes a conqueror.

1. Faithfulness:
Revelation 2:10 encourages believers to be faithful even to the point of death, promising the crown of life. Faithfulness in the face of adversity is a key characteristic of a conqueror.

2. Endurance:
James 1:12 states, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Endurance through trials is essential.

3. Obedience to God’s Commands:
1 John 5:3 says, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” A conqueror demonstrates love for God through obedience.

4. Faith in Jesus:
1 John 5:4 states, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” A conqueror places his or her trust in Jesus and His power to overcome sin and the challenges of life.

5. Spiritual Growth:
Philippians 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” A conqueror is someone who actively seeks to grow in their relationship with God and strives to fulfill His purpose.

6. Love for Others:
1 John 4:20-21 emphasizes that loving others is a reflection of our love for God. A true conqueror demonstrates love and compassion toward others, which is a sign of genuine faith.

This day, this hour, let’s make it our aim to be victorious—to remain faithful to Jesus, endure through trials, obey His commands, trust Him, grow in our relationship with Him, and love others.

Let’s be conquerors through faith in Jesus Christ.