“And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.” – 2 Chronicles 15:15

God isn’t hiding! While He seldom forces Himself on those who aren’t interested in Him, He’s always ready to embrace anyone who sincerely looks for Him. Over and over in Scripture, God promises that if we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him. Under King Asa, the nation of Judah sought the Lord and found Him. Their reward was peace that surpasses all understanding.

Romans 10:13 promises that everyone who sincerely calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. In this verse, an entire country sought the Lord and found Him, swearing a renewed oath of loyalty to the Lord as their God. Let us pray for such an awakening in our own community and country!!! Pray for the day when people by the thousands and millions will call on the name of the Lord, crying out with a genuine hunger to know their Creator. When they do, they will find Him in the person and presence of Jesus.

God isn’t hiding. He is preparing for another great awakening. Pray for that to begin. Work diligently to make it happen through your own efforts to share the love and good news of Jesus Christ. #FollowJesus

“And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” – 2 Chronicles 12:14

Leadership is no place for half-hearted godliness! King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, only turned to God when he was scared. The rest of the time, he lived by his own ideas and opinions, and those of his foolish advisors. The results were disastrous for Israel! The kingdom was divided, invaded, looted, and subjugated to Pharaoh of Egypt. Every time Rehoboam grudgingly turned to God, the Lord was gracious toward him. But Rehoboam couldn’t stay focused on following God for very long. So much was lost because of the king’s half-hearted faith!

None of us live in ancient Israel today. The covenant of grace we live by under Lord Jesus is different from the covenant of law Rehoboam was under. Nonetheless, this principle hasn’t changed. Every nation benefits when it has genuinely godly leadership. We’re all commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:2). Make time, today and every day, to pray for leaders at every level of government to turn their hearts fully toward God. Pray for them to receive and follow God’s wisdom rather than human cunning. Be faithful in these prayers, for our broken world and broken political systems surely need this! #FollowJesus

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:26

Why do Christians celebrate the Lord’s Supper? First and foremost, because Jesus said to. He ordained this celebration as an ongoing reminder and proclamation of His sacrifice until the day He returns. It’s a visible, tangible reminder of His death on the cross that established the new covenant of grace under which we live. It engages all our senses – eyes, ears, smell, touch, and taste – to remember the body of our Savior broken and hanging on a cross with His innocent blood running down it to establish that new covenant.

The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the terrible cost of our glorious freedom in Christ, the infinite price paid so that God’s wrath would pass over us. However, it does more than that. The local church is the body of Christ on earth until He returns. The Lord’s Supper is an expression of our unity as that body. It is a public affirmation that in Christ, we are made one. The church has many members but is one body, united in one Spirit. The Lord’s Supper proclaims that and affirms our bonds of love and unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It reminds our hearts, which can be prone to selfish wandering, that we are part of one greater body.

The Lord’s Supper also reminds us that we’re in ongoing union with Christ. We are “in Christ” and the Lord’s Supper is a visible reminder that He is with us at all times and all situations. That didn’t just happen randomly…. Jesus suffered and died to make that happen! We celebrate that whenever we take that bit of bread and drink with all that they represent. It reminds us, encourages us, and strengthens us as we #FollowJesus every day.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

The immediate context and application of this verse is about food. In Christ, we have enormous freedom to eat or drink pretty much anything – unless we firmly believe we shouldn’t. In which case, it’s wrong for us (personally) to eat or drink it. However, the principle expressed here applies to much more than just what and where we eat and drink. Do EVERYTHING for God’s glory.

This simple principle resolves many of the dilemmas that Christians can sometimes overthink. Am I allowed to do this thing? Should I do it? The answer depends on how you answer two other questions…. Does it glorify God? Will you do it in a spirit that brings glory to God? If so, go for it. If not, don’t do it.

To be clear, this isn’t a way to rationalize sin. Sin NEVER brings glory to God. It’s impossible to glorify God through your sin. However, there are many, many things in life that are morally ambiguous and about which Christians disagree (often loudly). Foods. Drinks. Music. Movies and TV. Books. Phones. Apps. Clothes. Time. If the Bible isn’t explicit one way or the other, then Christians probably have freedom. That’s where this principle is helpful. As you do the thing, will you do it to glorify God? Will it bring glory to God? If not, don’t do it.

This principle is simple, yet powerful for daily decision making. Do all to the glory of God. #FollowJesus

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:22

What are you willing to change about yourself to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ? Paul never compromised the truth of God’s Word or His faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. Beyond that, everything else was flexible! He could live under the Law to connect with, build relationships with, and share the Gospel with Jewish people. He could live like a Gentile to more easily connect with, build relationships with, and share the Gospel with Gentiles. He adapted to the local culture of every place he visited. He willingly changed aspects of his diet, dress, and even the personality he presented to try and reach people across cultural divides.

Would you do the same? Are you doing the same? What comforts, habits, and patterns of life and conduct would you willingly sacrifice to reach people who don’t know Jesus? Would you go to different restaurants? Enjoy different entertainment? Listen to different music? Wear different clothes? Accept discomfort? Give up some of your unique personality quirks or the quintessential aspects of your native culture?

People who don’t know Jesus are in terrible spiritual peril! They remain under the well-deserved wrath of God and face an eternity apart from Him in Hell. Their only hope is to hear and believe the Gospel. Their need is desperately urgent! Are you willing to be the person who tells them the Good News of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to give up aspects of your life which aren’t required by Scripture to be more easily heard? As you reflect on your community, workplace, and local schools, what could you change to better reach people with the Gospel? Are you ready to make that change? #FollowJesus