However, we do not have religion with Jesus…we have relationship with Him. In this relationship we not only receive much more than we could ever hold, but we are also called to give (sacrificially) to Him without restraint. Is your relationship with Jesus focused sharply on following Him or do you want Him to follow you and request little in return?
The Lord’s answer follows in Mark 10:42. He says that in heaven, who is great among you shall be your servant…and the one who is the greatest will be the servant of all! The greatness known in His kingdom will be that of humility and devotedness to the service of others …and then the Lord says this about Himself in verse 45….
The family unit cannot survive the breakdown of relationship with God and with others. It must be addressed! Ignoring, denying, rejecting the problem are only temporary solutions with no real fix...and over time the problem just gets bigger while remaining unresolved. Acknowledge where you truly are! In short, respond to God with, “I’m....”
The longer I stand doubting God’s Word…the sooner I stand rebelling against God’s Word. Guilt will overwhelm you with fear, embarrassment, anger, regrets, even depression! Our common response to that guilt is to cover the sin. There is nothing of our own doing that will enable us to truly cover our sin, but Jesus has shed His own blood to cover our sin for us on our behalf!
Andrew comes to Jesus in Jn. 6:8-9 and says that a child has some bread and fish, but what is this small lunch in comparison to all these people?! Jesus says, “have the people sit down.” The disciples have already seen the Lord perform 18 miracles. There are no questions…the disciples simply obey. Jesus had a track record, and the disciples had been sitting on the front row!
The approach of temptation is rarely bold and brash. It is more often subtle in its approach and accomplished in smaller graduated steps. So, we know the Bible says love your wife, respect your husband, and obey your parents. However, temptation to disobey these commands almost never begins with in-your-face rebellion. The process is more subtle before it becomes bold. It often looks like...
