What Would You Ask For?

“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, `Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, `What do you want?’ They said, `Rabbi’ (which means Teacher), `where are you staying?’ `Come,’ he replied, `and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him.” – John 1:35-39

If Jesus suddenly appeared before you and asked, “What do you want?” how would you respond? Maybe you’d ask for physical healing for yourself or someone you know and love. Perhaps you’d ask for the restoration of a broken relationship. Or maybe you’d think much bigger and ask for peace in our world or the end of poverty.

Made for Community, Part Four

“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47

We live in a culture that increasingly fragmented. People who live next door to you, people who work with you, people who go to school with you are feeling increasingly isolated. And yet God created us for community. Our hearts yearn to know and be known, love and be loved, serve and be served.

Made for Community, Part Three

“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:44-46

Focusing on Jesus, devoting ourselves to a growing intimacy with the Lord produces in us a focus on the needs of others. That is the critical balance of healthy spiritual community.

Made for Community, Part Two

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” – Acts 2:1-4a

True spiritual community is not something we create. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. By grace we are one in Christ. By grace we are family, sisters and brothers beloved by our common Father. This is a gift. It is an objective reality. The challenge is living out this reality and making it a part of our experience.

Made for Community, Part One

“It is not good for the man to be alone.” – Genesis 2:18a

We need one another. Ever notice how many “one another” mandates there are in the New Testament? Love one another, forgive one another, encourage one another. The New Testament was written from the assumption that we would live faith together.

Be Still!

Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

Sometimes when we encounter the things we most fear (rejection, failure, sickness…), we panic and thrash about and scream. But God calls us to have a little faith. If we will be still, we might just discover that our greatest fears are only waist deep, and that God has become a foundation we can stand upon.

Turn to the Lord for Help

The Lord says: My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours. – Isaiah 55:8-9

Scripture says that we need to remember that God is the source of all wisdom, guidance, and strength. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than any other on earth. God wants us to turn and receive divine guidance and support in our time of need.

God’s Power to Change People

They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. – Acts 1:14

Do you know someone who is not a believer? A hard-core skeptic? The kind of person that scoffs at your faith? Someone your heart aches for? Someone you’ve prayed would come to a saving faith in Jesus, but are beginning to doubt will ever believe? Maybe it’s a child. Perhaps a spouse, or a close friend. Don’t give up hope! If Jesus’ resurrection power could change his brothers’ hearts, it can change anyone’s heart!

Nothing Can Separate Us From God

I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love – not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! – Romans 8:38-39

Life cannot separate us from God’s love. Nothing in living your life can separate you. No part of your sinful human living will cause God to withdraw the love of Jesus from you.

Looking to God When Times Get Tough

I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! – Psalm 121:1-2

When you’ve got a problem, which do you do—stare at your problem or look up to God for help? For effective Christian living you need to stop focusing on the problem, and start focusing on the power of God in your life. Things won’t look the same!