“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” – Galatians 3:29

The moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you were grafted into God’s family, adopted as His beloved child. You were also grafted into Abraham’s family. This is the family through which God brought redemption to a fallen world. That’s your family! You are part of the great promise God made to Abraham thousands of years ago in Genesis 12:1-3, “…And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Faith in Jesus makes you part of that “great nation” as you participate in this promise, not by blood or marriage but by faith. In Christ, you’re blessed in this way, no matter where you or your ancestors came from. In Christ, you’re also part of God’s ongoing blessing of the nations of the earth! As Abraham’s offspring and Christ’s redeemed follower, you are part of God’s missionary work to bless all the families, tribes, and peoples of the earth. You have received God’s blessing, now you should eagerly become part of spreading that blessing to all the people groups of the earth.

There are still thousands of people groups throughout the world that have not received the blessing of hearing the Gospel, believing in Jesus, and becoming offspring of Abraham. How can you be part of the spread of God’s Kingdom and the growth of Abraham’s family? By learning more about the mission work going on in the world. By praying for it. By supporting it financially. By educating others about it. By encouraging those participating in it. By assisting those going out into God’s harvest fields. By going out on mission yourself, whether in your neighborhood or to the uttermost ends of the earth. You are blessed to be a blessing! That’s the promise of Abraham, his legacy to you in Christ Jesus. #FollowJesus and join His work of blessing all families on the earth.

“Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:”
– Isaiah 42:5

This verse is a wonderful template for praising and worshiping God today. Praise God for creating the heavens. He spoke the universe into existence and spread it across its vast expanse. He made the galaxies, stars, and planets. He holds all of the vastness of the universe in His hand. Look to the night sky and praise God for the enormity of His creation and the majesty of His creative vision. Praise Him!

Praise God for creating the Earth, our home. In a hostile, uninhabitable universe, God created a perfect place for life and growth. Not too hot, not too cold, not too far from the sun, not too close. Air to breathe, water to drink, soil in which to grow things. He also created mind-boggling beauty that wasn’t required – mountains, oceans, canyons, forests, jungles. God didn’t have to make our home planet extraordinary beautiful but He did. Why? Because that’s His nature. Praise Him!

Praise God Who formed mankind out of dust and breathed life into our nostrils. He is the source of all life. He gives us the spirit that animates us. He sustains us. Every breath we take is because of God. Our emotions, thoughts, and capacities reflect His image in us. Apart from God, we are nothing. But He loves us, blesses us, and sustains us. Praise Him! #FollowJesus

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” – Galatians 1:8

It doesn’t matter who says it – if someone tells you a different way to be saved from your sins and reconciled to God – anything other than as a gift of God’s grace given through faith in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God – they’re under God’s curse. God’s curse!!! Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul gives this warning to all Christians everywhere. Be on guard against “new revelations” about how to connect to God. Be on guard against supposed holy books delivered by spirits the writers believed to be angels (for example the Koran and the Book of Mormon). Be on guard against charismatic speakers and influencers offering a different take on the Gospel. They are all under God’s curse! Don’t join them!

Jesus made it very clear, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) No one means no one. There is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12) and that salvation comes by grace, not by our works, so we have nothing to boast about (Ephesians 2:8-9). Believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Word, the Son of God Who is God come in the flesh to rescue us through grace and truth (John 1:1-18).

There is no other gospel. There is no other way that leads to God the Father. Believe in the Son and obey Him. There are no short cuts and there is no self-salvation. Everyone and every thing that says otherwise is under God’s curse. Such “angels” are actually demons. Such “prophets” are false prophets. Such “teachers” are false teachers, wolves disguised a sheep to tear God’s people apart.

Know the truth. Know the Bible. Know Jesus. #FollowJesus

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11

These words from Paul are good ones for our turbulent season! If you’re a follower of Jesus, let these words guide your relationships with others, particularly those with whom you disagree. Don’t let earthly matters fracture eternal relationships! If there’s a split, do everything you can to heal it. Be there for one another. Comfort one another in the face of setbacks, trials, and tragedies. Hear one another out and feel each other’s emotions. Laugh, cry, mourn, and love together.

Rejoice in the love and presence of Jesus. Live in peace, no matter what. The world may be chaotic but work hard to make your relationships an island of peace and calm, even when you don’t see eye to eye on things. God is the source of love and peace. Let His peace and love cover you as you navigate this fallen world. Let His love and peace flow out of you as you interact with people each and every day. #FollowJesus

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling”
– Isaiah 30:15

In times of crisis, we often feel compelled to DO. What should I DO? What will you DO? What will we DO? What are you DOing? Are we DOing enough? Why aren’t you DOing more? What more could we DO?

Of course, there usually are things we should do. However, we need to be careful that we don’t get so busy frenetically solving problems in our own strength and resources that we lose sight of the One Who can ultimately resolve every crisis. God. Our Father in Heaven. Who loves us. Who knows and wants what’s best for us. Who can accomplish His will in every situation.

Here, God reminds us that for His people, it’s more important that we BE. BE quietly in His presence. BE listening for His word and guidance. BE trusting that He is still all-wise, all-good, all-powerful, and ever-present. BE at rest in His sheltering arms. For all the things we could or should DO, it’s vastly more important that we BE. BE children of God, loved by Him. BE focused on Him and how He wants us to respond to the situation. BE open to His ways which are infinitely beyond our ways.

The next time you face a difficult situation, don’t just DO. Consider what returning and rest in the Lord would look like. BE quiet and trusting. Don’t be surprised when God gives you strength and salvation beyond anything you could have imagined! #FollowJesus