Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” – 1 Peter 3:8

Peter’s “finally” is a surprisingly difficult thing to pursue and all too rarely achieved (or desired). Even for people who should always remember that they’ve been saved from their sins and God’s wrath purely as a gift of grace they absolutely don’t deserve! And yet, this is exactly the mindset that every believer in Jesus should be trying to develop and live by. This is the mindset with which we should be dealing with the world and each other. Are you?

In Christ, we should all be cultivating minds far more concerned with unity than getting our way. Minds filled with sympathy and compassion rather than condemnation. Practicing brotherly love rather than brotherly rivalry. Tender in heart rather than hardened and cynical at heart. Humble rather than proud. Concerned with others more than self. Seeking to glorify God, first and foremost.

In which of these qualities are you strong and healthy in Christ? In which are you weak and very unlike Jesus? Jesus had all these qualities and His Spirit will gladly develop them in you, if you’re willing to let Him do so. Draw near to Jesus, take up your cross daily, and #FollowJesus

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:10

This is an essential part of what it is to become new creation in Christ! You aren’t merely saved and then left to fend for yourself. You’re born again into God’s new family. The family of faith. You’re raised to life to be an integral part of the body of Christ. You become a citizen of God’s Kingdom and one of His precious people. You’re no longer roaming on your own, lost and alone spiritually, living under God’s righteous wrath for your sins. In Christ, you have been grafted into God’s chosen people. Welcomed in to enjoy God’s favor and the blessings of community as a child of God rather than a child of wrath.

In the same way, you’re now the recipient of divine mercy. God showers you with love and mercy you can’t possibly deserve. Rather than giving you bad things you deserve, God pours out blessing upon blessing because He is profoundly merciful. Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior, endured all God’s righteous wrath for your sins. Now, there is no condemnation for you. Instead, there is mercy, grace, and favor like you’ve never experienced before. There are so many sweet and beautiful benefits to believing the Gospel. These are two of them: belonging and mercy. #FollowJesus

“He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?’” – Luke 8:25

Who indeed?!? However, the disciples already suspected the truth in their hearts. That’s why they were afraid. They understood that there is only one Who commands the winds and waves… God! The fact that their friend Jesus did what only God could do was a clear sign that eternal God had taken on a human body and nature to live among them. The eternal God of the universe was in their boat! This is Jesus of Nazareth, Who sustains the universe by His will and commands winds and waves with ease.

It was amazing. It was overwhelming. It was terrifying! After all, God is Holy and we aren’t. Human sin makes it dangerous to be in God’s presence. And yet, in Jesus, it was possible. God had become a man like them. This miracle is called the Incarnation. The eternal and divine Word became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing God’s glory, grace, and truth through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and physical resurrection from the dead. As we enter into the busy holiday season, it will soon be Advent. That’s the annual season of preparation before the celebration of this miracle at Christmas. That’s what all the hustle, bustle, and busyness of the coming weeks should actually remind you of. Be sure to let it remind you!

Who then is this? Your Lord and Savior! #FollowJesus

“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” – James 3:2

How often does your mouth lead the way into trouble? Hopefully never, but for most believers, it’s far too common. We don’t intend to do wrong. We get some of our worst sins “under control”. But our mouth still runs. We say things we shouldn’t. Saying these things gets us more upset, so we say even more that we shouldn’t. One sinful word leads to hundreds or thousands more. Our words cause our thoughts to become darker and darker – angry, contemptuous, defiant, discouraged… Our bodies often follow the lead of our mouths. Suddenly, the sins we thought were “under control” are back in the driver’s seat!

There’s a popular myth in our culture that “venting” whatever we’re stewing about is good or healthy. That we must verbally unload our frustrations and anger on other people. That it’s good to vomit out vile words about people and situations. You may have fallen for that myth. But it IS a myth. Sinful words are always sinful and never justified. Even secular psychologists have come to agree that venting only makes you feel worse. That it causes your thoughts to spiral downward rather than clearing them up. It’s exactly what James describes – our words shape and guide our minds and bodies. If you can’t control your words, you won’t control your thoughts and actions.

As you follow Jesus and permit the Holy Spirit to control and transform your life, pray especially for the transformation of your words. Control your tongue and pray for God to give you the supernatural spiritual fruit of self-control. Watch what you say. Boastful words are never OK. Hurtful words are never OK. Gossip is never OK. Divisive words are never OK. Fits of rage are never OK. What comes out of your mouth must glorify God just as much as your actions do. #FollowJesus

“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” – Luke 4:34

The demons always know… they always know exactly Who Jesus is. There’s no question or doubt in their minds. They also hate Jesus. They hate having to obey Him. But they know exactly who Jesus is. It’s so interesting (and startling) that many humans refuse to understand or believe what demons see so clearly.

What’s clear to demons is difficult to persuade humans about. Because of the blinding effects of sin, self, pride, and the veil that darkens spiritually-dead minds. Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. The Christ. The Messiah. The eternal Second Person of the Godhead. Fully God AND fully human. Crucified, resurrected, and reigning over all creation.

As we prepare to enter into the Advent season, prayerfully consider who in your life needs to know the truth about Jesus, that He is “The Holy One of God”? #FollowJesus