Who do you say?

Matthew 16:15, “’But what about you?’ he (Jesus) asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’”

The apostles only similarities with one another were that the majority of them were fishermen from Galilee before following Jesus. It was following Jesus that gave them a new identity. Those with whom they came into contact would recognize them as someone who had been with Jesus.

What distinguishes us today from anyone else in our community? The only real distinguishing factor must be that we have been with Jesus. The more we are with Him we begin to think, act, serve and love like Him. Our identity changes. Our old way of living fades away and a new way of living takes us to a new destiny.

The new identity begins with the surrender of our lives to God and is expressed in water baptism, communion, and connection with the body of Christ. It continues with growth in our lives as we take on the disciplines and character of Christ. It is complete when we graduate into the next life time – eternity – with Him.

Identity change is always challenging – ask the butterfly. Yet the struggle is well worth the effort – Keep the faith!

Who uses the instructions?

John 8:31-32, “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus carefully made a distinction between those who believe in Him and those who are His followers. The distinction is made based on whether you hold on to His teaching. Real followers take on the knowledge and wisdom of their teacher. We learn of Jesus’ knowledge and wisdom in his book, the Bible. We might call it an instruction manual.

When we are not willing to follow instructions, we believe we already know the “how to”. We may believe we know how to be like Jesus from many sources, however, the Bible is the primary source and authority that frames who Jesus is and who we should be.

Natural growth happens daily. Spiritual growth does too. Spiritual growth can be nourished or starved. We should nourish it daily with a balanced diet of Bible reading to understand who Jesus is and who we should be. With this, you can know truth and live in freedom.

It’s hard to hold on to what you do not have. Do you have a personal diet plan – a Bible reading plan?

Family Relationships

Family Relationships

Matthew 19:6, 14, “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate…Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Jesus places a God-given value on family that we must develop in our lives. From marriage to raising children, He developed His plan to be woven into the fabric of our lives. The family unit - the father, husband, mother, wife, son, and daughter - is what God designed to illustrate His love for us. This is one reason the devil fights so hard to break up and destroy the family.

The family is the illustration the apostle Paul uses to describe the relationship God has with the church.  Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church; wives come under the mission of your husband as to the Lord; and kids obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Godly family relationships can only be developed with the help of the Bible, not our culture or traditions. As we try these Biblical principles on for size, we learn that this is better than anything else we have experienced.

Can you prayerfully consider becoming a Biblical model of the family God has created you to be? What is your role? Remember He who calls also empowers you!

Where friends become family

 Friends become family

John 11:3, “So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’”

Jesus built great friendships with those around Him. Lazarus was recognized by his sisters as someone special to Jesus. Jesus wept at his graveside. Then He raised him from the dead. Wow.

Jesus even called those He was teaching His family if they did God’s will. He valued relationships with those around Him. He invested in those relationships with His time. He built close friendships with those who ministered with Him.

He challenges us with the statement, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Real relationships need real commitment to give each other our best. Those friendships become more than friendships, they become family. In many regards, these God friendships that become family are stronger relationships than our earthly family. These relationships provide us love, forgiveness, acceptance, help, encouragement and accountability. These are real relationships.

Do you have any God-given friends in your circle? Can you find a new friend this year? Start by making yourself friendly! Enjoy the adventure.

Connecting with Them

“When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.” Luke 4:16

Jesus models the values He wants us to have. As you read about His life in the gospels, notice He valued meeting together in the synagogue on almost a daily basis. He would participate in the teaching, worship and relationship building at each gathering.

The writer in Hebrews (10:25) says, “You should not stay away from the church meetings…you should meet together and encourage each other.” He shares what Jesus models: encourage one another, motivate one another to love and good works to make a difference in the lives of others, strengthen one another to hold tight to the hope we have from the promises of God and be empowered to go into the presence of God with sincere worship. Can you make it your usual custom to join with other believers to encourage, learn and worship?

It is difficult to connect with others when you are not around them. Jesus promised a special visitation every time believers are together in His name. Let’s get together.

Connecting Changes Things

Luke 12:31, 34, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need…Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of our heart will also be.”

We live in a world where we are often learning how to take care of number one – us. It’s all about us. We can have it our way. We have rights. As we grow in our relationship with God we begin to realize it’s not about us, life is about Him; we must become less and He must become more.

The focus of our life becomes seeking Him, His plan and purpose for our lives above all else. This means our investing strategies change. We do invest in us but by investing in Him and what he is investing in. We learn our finances reveal a lot about us: “wherever our treasure is, there the desires of our heart will also be.”

We learn to be a Christ follower is also to be a giver. For God so loved the world He gave... We learn to be a giver of our time, abilities and even our finances. God gives us direction throughout the Bible on these giving areas. It’s His expectation of us as we grow. What will we learn to give this year that we may not have given before?

Being a giver comes from a thankful, loving relationship!

Connecting with Conversation

Luke 11:1, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray…’”

“Can you hear me now?” was a slogan for a cell phone company that gained notoriety. It may also be a question many Christ followers would like to ask God when they don’t feel like they are getting through to Him with their prayers.

Prayer is communication with God. Jesus responded to their request with guidance on how to have a direct conversation with God. He said don’t make of show of your prayers to try to convince others you are spiritual. Don’t repeat the same words again and again. It does not get you any closer to God answering. But He does say to keep on asking, seeking and knocking and then you will receive, find and the door will be opened to you. He also says if we as sinful people know how to give good gifts to our kids, “how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.”

Real connection takes consistent conversation. Consistent conversation builds real relationship. An intentional daily conversation with God is needed to keep you growing, Let’s take the next few moments and spend time talking and listening to Him.