Sold Out for Jesus

Sold Out for Jesus

2 Timothy 2:4 (BSB)

“A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.”

I have always thought that when a person picks up a New Testament and begins reading about Jesus and His teachings, acting on what they read will lead them into a radical way of living. A life of faith in Jesus Christ, lived out in obedience to Him, can cause friction with others. This may include unsaved family members who do not understand, co-workers, fellow students, and even people at church.

As I reflect on this verse in 2 Timothy, I think of what Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24:

“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’”

Following Jesus means putting Him first, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular. Our desire should be to please the One who has called us to follow Him.

We can look to the Apostle Paul as an example of a life devoted to Jesus. He wrote to the believers in Corinth:

1 Corinthians 11:1: “You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”

Our calling is clear. Jesus tells us in Mark 8:38:

“If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Fellow followers of Jesus, let's encourage one another to stay the course today. Let’s cling to Jesus and His teachings, put His words into practice, and seek to please Him above all else. Whatever challenges we face, let’s remain faithful to the One we have committed our lives to follow.

Do Not Be Anxious

Do Not Be Anxious

I have a friendly reminder for those of us who have faith in Jesus the Messiah: Do not be anxious.

Let’s remind ourselves of what we are told in the Bible in Philippians 4:6-7:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I understand this can be easier said than done. When the trial hits, we can be stunned, even disoriented. Our minds can swirl in confusion.

And then the Comforter comes and helps us look to Jesus, dial back the anxiety, and seek the help of God. We wait for His answer and His direction for the way we should take.

God is waiting to hear our prayer requests right now. So bring your concerns to Him. Trust Him. Look to Jesus, and allow the peace of God to guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

And through it all, let's follow Jesus.

Rooted in Love

Rooted in Love

Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV)

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

One of the greatest blessings of following Jesus is that He dwells in our hearts through faith. His presence changes us from the inside out. As we walk with Him each day, our lives become rooted and grounded in His love.

Paul prayed that believers would comprehend "the breadth, and length, and depth, and height" of the love of Christ, and to know "the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." That is a wonderful prayer for every one of us. I believe this is a lifelong journey. No matter how long we have followed Jesus, there is always more of His love to discover. We will never reach the end of His grace, His mercy, His patience, or His compassion for those who belong to Him.

Today, let us continue to seek and enjoy the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus. The more we know His love, the more we will trust Him, worship Him, and reflect His love to those around us.

May we never stop growing in our understanding of the immeasurable love of God that is ours through Jesus Christ.

Never Forget His Goodness

Never Forget His Goodness

Psalm 103:2 (NLT)

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me."

It is so easy to become distracted by the worries and pressures of life that we forget all the good things God has done for us.

Today, let's you and I remember His goodness.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us. Through Jesus we have forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and the gift of eternal life for everyone who believes in Him.

God faithfully guides us day by day. He watches over us while we sleep and cares for us every moment of every day. Even more amazing, through faith in Christ, God has chosen to dwell within us by His Holy Spirit.

John 14:16 (ESV)

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."

What an incredible promise! Jesus has not left us alone. His Spirit is with us, strengthening, comforting, and leading us each day.

Take a moment today to thank God for His goodness. Pause and remember His blessings. As you do, you'll find your heart filled with praise.

Can you sense His presence with you today? Even when our feelings rise and fall, His promise remains true: He is with those who belong to Him.