“But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

The Apostle Paul is very clear that the message of the gospel isn’t going to make sense to unbelievers whose hearts and minds are currently closed off toward God as He truly is. On the other hand, for those whose minds have been opened to the spiritual horror of their sin and rebellion against God, the Gospel makes perfect sense. Of course, only God could make a way for sinners like us to be reconciled to Him in His holiness. Of course, only God’s Son could live a perfect life and take our place on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins. It’s only by His death and resurrection that anyone can be raised to new eternal life as a gift of grace. The logic is clear and compelling for those prepared to hear it.

But not to those who don’t yet recognize their own sin or God’s holiness. Not to those still determined to save themselves through dead works and futile efforts at moral perfection. So, don’t be surprised when you share the love of God in Jesus and experience rejection. Those who mock you for your faith or are offended by it simply aren’t ready yet. That doesn’t mean you haven’t helped prepare them by giving them something to think about. That doesn’t mean you haven’t been successful or faithful in God’s eyes. Quite the opposite – God is pleased whenever you share Christ crucified, regardless of how people respond.

Remember and be encouraged by the truth Paul concludes with here. To those who are ready to hear, who’ve been wrestling with their own sinfulness and the futility of their efforts to save themselves by rule-following, rituals, and man-made religion, what you share will suddenly make perfect sense. Your words will resonate with power that doesn’t come from you but from God Himself. Then you’ll experience the incomparable joy of seeing someone raised to new spiritual life in Jesus Christ. #FollowJesus

“Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the Lord!
Let us lift up our hearts and hands
to God in heaven”
– Lamentations 3:40-41

If Jesus is the Lord of your life, then you are well and truly saved from your sins. Your present and future in Christ is assured. Nonetheless, our human eyes, hearts, and minds can easily wander astray. Particularly in our fast-moving world with its overwhelming flood of, well, just about everything. Though we have been made new creation in Christ, we all still sin from time to time. Often, we’re blind to our sin. Regular reflection and Spirit-led self-examination to root out this sin in our lives is a very healthy spiritual practice.

In your quiet times, ask God to help you examine your ways. Ask Him to show where you may not be fully following Jesus. To reveals aspects of your life where you’re still following the world or yourself rather than your Lord. Areas where sinful actions or attitudes are routinely overlooked or excused. Areas where your obedience is less than genuine or heartfelt. Ask God to speak and then be quiet and let Him speak. Let Him prompt you toward neighbors you don’t love as yourself. To remind you of days and times when you’re unwilling to pick up your cross.

As God reveals these things, lift your heart and hands to God, confessing these sins. Don’t argue with God. Agree. Admit these things are sins. Commit to live differently, then ask God to forgive those sins and help you to live differently. Ask His Spirit to help you think differently, talk differently, and act differently. To become more like your Savior and #FollowJesus

“But as it is written,
‘Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.’”
– Romans 15:21

This is the burden of pioneer missions, the difficult work of taking the good news of Jesus Christ to people and places where there is nobody else telling them about Jesus. No churches, no Christians, no Bibles. This was Paul’s burden 2000 years ago and it must be the burden of the Christ’s people and churches today. All over this world, there are billions of people who have no idea that God loves them so much He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to die for them. All over the world, there are thousands of distinct ethnic groups longing to relate to their Creator without knowing the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The overwhelming majority of church money and effort does NOT go toward introducing those people and groups to the love of Jesus. The overwhelming majority of Christian mission efforts and resources does NOT go toward those people and groups. This is a tragedy of eternal and epic proportions!

It is God’s will that people from EVERY tribe, language, and ethnic group will come to worship Him through faith in Jesus Christ. It is Christ’s commission to His followers to make this happen. Those who’ve never yet been told about Jesus will one day see. Those who’ve never heard the good news will one day understand. It is the joy and privilege of Christians living in this time to be part of how God accomplishes this. If you aren’t already actively involved in God’s mission, it’s time to learn and pray about how you can do the good work God has prepared for you in pioneer missions. Is it by praying and caring for those who go? Is it by supporting and sending them? Is it by stirring up God’s people to get more involved? Is it by welcoming those who come here from distant lands? Is it by going yourself? #FollowJesus

“It is he who made the earth by his power,
who established the world by his wisdom,
and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.”
– Jeremiah 51:15

Praise God, our Creator! God spoke the universe into existence. He formed the earth by the power of His will. He built the world on the foundation of His perfect wisdom. This is why the things we call “laws of nature” exist. They are the human expression of God’s unchanging wisdom on which the universe is built. In His perfect knowledge, God made the galaxies, stars, and planets. Everything we are, everything we have, and everything we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell comes from God’s act of creation. Think about that. Really take time to think about it. There’s NOTHING apart from God’s will, power, wisdom, and understanding. Let this truth bring you to a humble place of praise for your Creator.

These things aren’t merely true about God’s original act of Creation. Scripture is very clear that God continues to sustain the universe right now. Things exist and nature’s “laws” remain true because God actively wills it right now. Specifically, it is God the Son, the eternal Christ, Whose will sustains you, this planet, and the entire universe moment-by-moment. Jesus isn’t just the Savior of the world, He is its sustainer. Creation holds together because He is actively willing it to do so. Praise the Son for literally holding your world together! Praise and #FollowJesus.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” – Romans 11:33

Take this verse as your invitation to worship God rather than question His wisdom. To be delighted in Him rather than frustrated when you don’t understand what He’s doing. God’s ways are not your ways. His thoughts aren’t your thoughts. Why? Because His thoughts are infinitely higher, deeper, and wider than yours. No offense intended, but it’s true! There’s no limit to God’s perfect knowledge of every detail of the universe and everything in it. There’s no limit to God’s wisdom. His knowledge and wisdom are truly endless in a way that yours will never be.

His judgments are “unsearchable” meaning that humans are simply incapable of ever fully understanding all that factors into God’s decisions. His knowledge of everything public and private is complete and perfect. He knows everything that has ever been, everything that is, and everything that ever will be. God knows how all these things weave together in ways that we can barely speculate about.

God’s ways are inscrutable to us because He isn’t just some really big, awesome, and powerful version of a human being. He’s an infinite, eternal Being Who literally spoke the universe into existence, formed mankind out of dust, and breathed life into us. These are things beyond our comprehension! We can say the words but still can’t fully understand how God created everything from nothing.

Don’t be bothered by these things! Let them build your trust and confidence in the perfect will and ways of your Creator. Let them inspire you to submit fully to His Lordship over your life. Let them move you to deep worship. Let them lead you to #FollowJesus