The Bible teaches that there are many rewards given to God’s children. Yet, it also teaches that not everyone is a child of God. Are you? Am I? How can we become children of God? If a 10-year old asked you how to become a child of God, what would you say? On this Sunday after Christmas we learn from the Apostle John, who spent three years with the Incarnate Jesus, God’s answer to the question, “How can we become a child of God?”
Peace is the global focus on this fourth Sunday of Advent. Peace is a good feeling produced by the Holy Spirit when conflict is replaced with loving kindness in our relationship with God, our relationships with one another and within our own souls. Though peace on earth is offered to all, today we discover from relatives of Mary that those who recognize Jesus as Lord will experience sustained divine peace.
Joy is the global focus on this 3rd Sunday of Advent. Since God is the most joyful person in the universe and He has gifted us with joy for our interior lives, today we consider what true joy is, a few thieves of joy and the key to obeying His command to “Rejoice!” in the calm and stormy seasons of life.
The Word comes in the wilderness. Preparing the Way for the coming of the King, then, now and in the future.
We often put our hope in things that crumble. It is easy to do in our day. But there is a hope that lasts, that will culminate in Christ’s second coming. What did this hope look like for believers in his generation, and what does that hope look like today? And are you truly ready for Jesus to come again?
After investing 12 weeks learning from Jesus’ teaching in the vineyard it has become clear that abiding in Jesus is essential for God’s glory, the world’s good and our joy. In this final message in The Abide Project we reflect on how we have been affected by Jesus’ invitation to abide and how abiding together can help us grow in our close, dependent and continual relationships with our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are all born with unfulfilled souls. Fortunately, Jesus reveals a path to divine and full joy! Today we consider, when Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” is “my joy” referring to his or his abiding disciples’ experience of joy? What does it look like to have “full” joy? And, why is he concerned about his disciples’ joy on the night before his crucifixion (v. 11)?
Who are we? What is our purpose? What will bring us fulfillment? We are children of God, created to be in relationship with Him, follow His commandments and demonstrate His character for His glory and our joy.
When Jesus promises that his “Father is glorified” by those who bear much fruit, proving to be his disciples, what is he intending to communicate and why is he concerned about his Father’s glory on the night before his crucifixion (v. 8)?
When Jesus promises, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (v. 7) is he issuing a blank check for this type of prayer?