“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” – John 21:17

Of course, Jesus knew that Peter loved Him! That wasn’t His point in asking three times. It wasn’t an interrogation to break Peter down. The point was to build Peter back up in forgiveness and restoration. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. He’d sworn an oath before God that he didn’t know Jesus. He’d called down God’s curse on himself if he actually knew Jesus. Peter’s betrayal was deep. Therefore, his restoration had to be deeper.

And so, three times, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times, after Peter said that he did, Jesus gave him responsibility to care for His people. Three times. Not to frustrate to Peter (which was easy to do) but to fully restore him. One affirmation of love for each denial. One restoration to service for each failure of courage.

What Jesus did was simple, yet powerful. It may have taken a little while to sink into Peter’s mind but it certainly seems to have changed his life. He got it. And what he got wasn’t unique to him. It’s what Jesus always offers – forgiveness and restoration for all who love Him. A gracious eagerness to wash away guilt and shame when we confess and repent. Tender, loving restoration even after we mess up yet again. Genuine love that doesn’t hold the past over anyone’s head as a threat or means of control. Mercy, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness. All freely available through Jesus. #FollowJesus

“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;” – Ecclesiastes 3:12

Ecclesiastes is an interesting book. It largely documents one man’s (Solomon) search for meaning in life when he had everything imaginable except a good relationship with the Lord. As his life neared its end, he discovered that vast wealth, fabulous accomplishments, beautiful buildings, and indulging every earthly appetite didn’t give him peace, purpose, or comfort in the face of eternity.

So what did this wisest of fools learn in his lifetime of exploration? The virtue of a simple life devoted to God. The treasure of truly enjoying the earthly blessings of family, friends, and work rather than constantly yearning for more and better. That, as the Apostle Paul put it, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

If Jesus is your Lord, then Scripture is clear that God has prepared good works for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). Do those good works as long as you draw breath. Your life will never lack in purpose. Be joyful in Christ, regardless of your worldly status or situation. You’ll never lack for joy. Give thanks for the daily small blessings in your life, whatever those may be. You’ll find growing contentment. Rejoice in the presence of Jesus in your heart and in your daily journey of life. You’ll never be alone. Reject the world’s demand that you hunger for more, more, more. Instead, seek to experience more and more of the Lord and you will certainly get that. #FollowJesus

“Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning,
will be counted as cursing.”
– Proverbs 27:14

This is definitely true and also kind of humorous to think about. Many of us have known (or been) the person who was inveterately, loudly cheerful far earlier in the day than is generally appreciated. However, there is a deeper point about timing and tone in communication that is well worth considering.

Sometimes in our haste to give a good word, encouragement, or bit of advice we do it in a way that is poorly timed, poorly phrased, or poorly received. Our blessing gets counted as a curse. It’s always worth taking a moment, before sharing a good word, to prayerfully consider our timing and tone. Is it a good time for the person you wish to speak to to hear this message? Are they able to focus? Are they so busy or stressed about other things that even a blessing may come across as “yet another thing”? Be thoughtful and sensitive to someone’s situation before speaking.

Then consider whether your tone of blessing and encouragement will be clear when you communicate? This is particularly tricky when communicating electronically via text or email. When people can’t see your face or hear your voice there are no non-verbal cues to help them understand your heart in speaking. Effective communication largely depends on those non-verbal cues. In their absence, electronic blessings can easily be mis-interpreted, even if you’re careful in how you write them. A never forget the horrors of auto-correct! Always read twice before sending once.

Bless people with your words, but be thoughtful about how you deliver your blessing so it’s received as a blessing! #FollowJesus

“A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
– Proverbs 25:11

You probably understand this proverb without having to think hard about it. Odds are that you have at least one story of words that were truly like this to you. Precious. Beautiful. Life giving. Treasured the moment you heard (or read) them. Because our lives are frequently flooded with an endless flow of cheap and worthless words (printed, posted, spoken, etc.), the contrast is striking when we hear well-spoken words that are like golden apples arranged in a sterling silver dish.

If you’ve ever been blessed by words like this, have you thought about how to elevate your own words? Do you make an effort to speak or write words like these? Have you meditated on ways to speak less like everyone and everything else competing for attention in a world drowning in words and more like, well, Jesus?

If you haven’t, give it some thought today! Steep yourself in Scripture and try to speak treasure into the lives of others. #FollowJesus

“And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the Lord has brought all this disaster on them.’” – 1 Kings 9:8-9

It’s an incredible thing to be chosen and blessed by God. To be loved and favored with God’s blessing and presence is simply beyond description. That was true for Israel and it’s true for followers of Jesus who’ve been grafted into God’s family by grace. However, once that happens, that doesn’t mean you no longer need to care about obeying or respecting God. Quite the opposite!

God’s grace is an invitation into a deep, abiding relationship of obedience to His will and ways. If you’re blessed to be God’s child, then you need to understand that God isn’t blind or clueless. He knows your thoughts, words, and actions. All of them! He is calling you to live a holy life patterned after the life of His Son. There will be consequences for rebellion against His will.

The Bible is clear that God disciplines those He loves. His goal in that discipline (which isn’t punishment) is to bring His children back into alignment with His will. Your salvation is never a free pass to do whatever you feel like and then later say (without meaning it), ‘Sorry’. Your salvation is an invitation to deep, lasting love grounded in awe, respect, and obedience to the Lord Almighty Who loves you and adopted you as His child. #FollowJesus