I shared some reflections a few weeks ago. Although I've been a Bible learner and disciple of Christ for many years, I do not yet have this walk figured out. It's filled with missteps and mistakes, and even when I re-read some of my prior posts, I can see how I could have represented the truth more fully and adequately. It is humbling to know that God still brings truth even in our tiny bit of understanding.
Today, we start a Bible study I've refused to write for months. It is a chapter out of my dark soul and a testament to the bright communion God showed me over a long, swarthy night. I know I need to sit still and get some of the messy, messy work God has graciously done down on paper. I dread it and welcome it all in one.
The self-improvement market was worth $9.9 billion in 2016 (thanks to a little research data). Did you know you can think and grow rich and only work 4 hours each week? Since you’ve freed up so much time because you’re highly effective, you can have your cheese moved, be an untethered soul, learn the 48 laws of power, understand big magic, and wash your face! Or, you can figure out the sacred secret now…
Last year, I wrote an open letter to my four boys on being men. This year, I write to a special young woman who’s been a divine interruption in the life of our family—especially those four boys I mentioned. You know who you are. And, while you are infinitely inimitable and beloved, there are other women who will understand or need to hear this unsolicited wisdom [my opinions are also free of charge] I’m going to speak into your life on International Women’s Day.
I left you with a cliffhanger from the first half of John 4 about the unnamed Samaritan woman. We eavesdropped as a conversation progressed between an unrighteous woman and a sinless Savior. This week, let’s see what that broken Samaritan did with what she learned from Jesus. I pray you’ll find healing for your own heart along the way and pass the good news along to others so they might believe.
The fourth gospel is essential. John gives us a direct look into the heart of Jesus—into who Jesus is. It was a book that was written for one purpose: that we might believe. What a blessing to have a book written primarily to help us understand the character of Christ and the meaning behind the events the Son of God performed so we would believe that Jesus saves.
We must choose to see Jesus – we must choose to fix our eyes on Him despite all the chaos and noise. The awesome truth is that Jesus came to earth fully human (and fully God) so that He could be merciful and faithful to you. This week, we pick up with that same thought about how Jesus is our faithful High Priest in Hebrews 3.
So, here we are – together. You and me. Connected not through social media or an RSS feed, but through Jesus Christ. I may never meet you on this earth, but I can’t wait to worship with you in heaven. Until then, let’s commit to running this race together. Onward and upward as we finish out James in chapter 5 this week.
God desires our best because He gave His best: Jesus. This a rich truth for us to anchor in our life, especially as we begin each morning. I understand not everyone is a morning person, but we see Christ’s example throughout the gospels of how He rose very early in the morning (Mark 1:35) to pray. Jesus knew that feeding our spiritual man first, would bring about a godly harvest for the day.
