“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” –Colossians 4:5-6

One of the things I say often is, “Sometimes we have to earn the right to be heard.” Now, that doesn’t mean we earn the right to share the Gospel by being perfect. Nor does it mean we compromise the truth to make people like us. It simply means that in a skeptical world, people are usually more interested in watching our lives before they listen to our words.

I think Paul understood this reality. That’s why he encouraged believers to be “wise in the way you act toward outsiders.” Notice that Paul first tells us how to live before he tells us what to say. People are watching how we treat others, how we respond when life gets difficult, how we handle disagreement, and whether our lives actually reflect the Jesus we talk about.

Then Paul says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” Grace should be the defining characteristic of our speech. Salt adds flavor—it doesn’t overpower the meal. In the same way, our words should make people want to know more about Christ, not push them further away.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. Before He called Matthew to follow Him, He shared a meal with him. Before the Samaritan woman recognized Him as the Messiah, He took time to have a conversation with her and meet her where she was. Again and again, Jesus demonstrated love before demanding change. His truth never changed, but His approach was filled with grace.

I’ve often wondered how many opportunities we miss as Christians because we’re so eager to win an argument that we forget to win a person. People may still choose to reject the Gospel, and that’s something we can’t control. But let’s make sure they never reject it because of the way we’ve treated them. Instead, may they see Jesus in us—through our love, kindness, humility, and integrity—and may our lives cause them to wonder what makes Him so different.

We can’t change people’s hearts—that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. But we can faithfully represent Jesus everywhere we go. And sometimes we really do have to earn the privilege to be heard. One of the best ways we do that is by living a life that looks like Jesus.

As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday tomorrow, many of us will gather with family and friends to enjoy barbecues, parades, fireworks, and the many blessings we often take for granted. It’s an opportunity to reflect with gratitude on the freedoms we enjoy and to remember the countless men and women who have sacrificed to protect them. As Christians, giving thanks for these blessings is both appropriate and biblical.

At the same time, while we are grateful citizens of this nation, Scripture reminds us that our ultimate citizenship is found elsewhere. Paul writes in Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Knowing that our citizenship is in heaven doesn’t cause us to care less about this place where God has planted us—it actually gives us an even greater reason to love and serve the people around us. We should be known as people who pray for our leaders, who love our neighbors, who serve our community, and who use the freedoms we’ve been given to share the hope of Christ with others. We’re called to be ambassadors for Him wherever we are.

As we celebrate, may we take a moment to thank God for the many blessings He has given us through this nation and for the men and women who have faithfully served to protect our freedoms. And may that gratitude turn our hearts toward an even greater truth, because our greatest hope has never been found in a nation, political party, or president. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ alone.

There will come a day when all the kingdoms of this world will fade away, but the Kingdom of God will remain forever. On that day, people from every nation, tribe, people, and language will stand together before the throne of Jesus, worshiping the One who alone is worthy. What a beautiful reminder that while we’re grateful to be citizens of this nation, we’re even more grateful to be citizens of His Kingdom. 

So, let’s enjoy the celebration tomorrow, let’s give thanks for God’s many blessings, and above all, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the One King whose reign will never end.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” That’s a pretty bold statement. And I think it challenges us to ask an important question: Could I honestly tell someone to follow my example?

When Paul made this statement, He wasn’t claiming to be perfect. In fact, he was very aware of his weaknesses, failures, and ongoing need for God’s grace. What I believe gave him the confidence to say these words was that he was wholeheartedly pursuing Jesus. His life matched his message. He didn’t just talk about faith—he actually lived it.

As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same. Jesus said that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). And he calls us to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16). In a culture filled with confusion, discouragement, and darkness, God desires for our lives to point people toward Him. Our words matter, but our actions have the ability to speak even louder. The people around us—our children, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow believers—are watching how we live.

Of course, this doesn’t mean we have to be perfect before God can use us. If perfection was the requirement, none of us would qualify. Instead, God calls us to be faithful. He calls us to keep growing, keep learning, and keep taking steps towards Christ. Sometimes those steps are big, but often times they are small and almost unnoticeable. A little more patience. A little more kindness. A little more time spent in prayer. A little more trust in God’s promises.

Think of a child learning to walk. Those first steps are shaky and uncertain, but every step is evidence of their growth. In the same way, every step we take toward Jesus matters. Spiritual maturity is rarely instant, it’s usually the result of many small acts of obedience and faith over time.

So today, we must ask ourselves: Am I following the example of Christ: not perfectly, but intentionally. Am I more like Him now than I was a year ago? A month ago? Even last week?

The good news is that God is not finished with any of us. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” As we continue to follow Jesus, He continues to shape us into His image.

So let’s keep taking those steps. Keep pursuing Jesus. And as we do, our lives will be light that helps lead others to Him as well.

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” -Proverbs 1:5 

This week, I had the privilege of watching my son walk across the stage and receive his Master’s degree from the University of Oregon in Curriculum and Teaching. It was a proud moment for our family. After nearly 18 years of school, he’s finally done! No more classes, no more exams, and no more 60-page papers that nearly broke him.

This graduation marks the end of one chapter, but not the end of his learning. The reality is that some of life’s greatest lessons are learned after we leave the classroom behind. The best teachers never stop learning. The most effective leaders never stop growing. And the wisest people never reach a point where they think they know it all.

The same is true in our walk with Jesus. Following Christ is not a destination we arrive at but a lifelong journey of growth and transformation. The moment we think we’ve learned all there is to know about God, His Word, or His ways is the moment we stop growing. No matter how long we’ve followed Jesus—whether it’s been five years or fifty—there is always more for Him to teach us.

The Apostle Paul understood this. Near the end of his ministry, after planting churches, writing much of the New Testament, and faithfully serving Christ for decades, he still wrote in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ.” Paul never graduated from learning. He never stopped pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Every day presents us with opportunities to learn and grow. We learn through God’s Word as He reveals His truth to us. We learn through prayer as we listen for His voice. We learn through life’s victories and disappointments as God shapes our character. We learn from one another as fellow believers who encourage and challenge each other.

One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is becoming spiritually stagnant and closed off—assuming we’ve heard it all before or that we’ve grown enough. But disciples are learners. In fact, the word disciple literally carries the idea of a student or learner. To follow Jesus is to remain teachable.

So let me encourage you today: stay curious about God. Open His Word expecting Him to show you something new. Ask Him what He wants to teach you in this season of life. Remain humble enough to learn from others and attentive enough to recognize His lessons in everyday moments.

Graduation may mark the end of a specific season of learning, but for followers of Jesus, there is no graduation from discipleship. We are lifelong learners, continually being transformed into the people God created us to be.

Lord, keep our hearts teachable. Help us never become satisfied with what we already know about You. Give us a hunger for Your Word, a willingness to learn, and a desire to keep growing in faith each day. -Amen

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly says, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Matt. 11:15; 13:43; Mark 4:23; Luke 8:8) It’s an interesting statement because most of the people listening to Jesus had physical ears. The issue wasn’t whether they could hear His words; the issue was whether they were truly listening and responding.

The same challenge exists for us today. God is still speaking. The question is: Are we listening? 

One of the primary ways God speaks to us is through His Word. The Bible is not merely a collection of ancient writings; it is God’s living and active message to each of us. As we read Scripture, the Holy Spirit often highlights a verse, convicts us of sin, comforts us in our struggles, or gives us wisdom for a decision we’re facing. Many people long to hear God speak but never take time to open up His Word. Yet one of the clearest ways to hear His voice is to spend time immersing ourselves in the words He’s already spoken.

God also speaks to us as we pray. Prayer is not meant to be a one-sided conversation where we do all the talking. After bringing our requests, burdens, and praises before Him, it’s important that we take time to be still and listen. In Psalm 46:10 the psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God”. It’s in those quiet moments, where God often brings clarity, peace, conviction, or direction to our hearts.

The Lord can also speak through His creation. David declared in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” A sunrise, a star-filled sky, the ocean tides, the beauty of a mountain range, or the intricate design of a flower can remind us of God’s greatness, faithfulness, and power.

God uses other believers to speak to us as well. Proverbs 15:22 tells us, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” There have been countless times when a timely word from a pastor, friend, mentor, or fellow believer has provided encouragement, wisdom, or confirmation of something God was already stirring in my heart.

I’m reminded of the story of the young boy Samuel in 1 Samuel 3. Several times Samuel heard his name being called, but he didn’t recognize that it was the Lord speaking to him. Finally, Eli instructed him to respond in 1 Samuel 3:9 by saying, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” . What a powerful prayer for all of us. Every day, we should approach God with that same posture: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

But hearing God’s voice is only part of the equation. The ultimate goal is not simply to hear Him—it’s to respond in obedience. In Matthew 7 Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by comparing those who hear His words and put them into practice to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The blessing was not found merely in hearing; it was found in hearing AND doing.

As important as it is to listen for the Lord’s voice, it is even more important that we respond when He speaks. When He convicts us, we repent. When He leads us, we follow. When He calls us to forgive, we forgive. When He asks us to step out in faith, we trust Him and step out in faith.

Today, may our prayer be: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” And when He speaks, may we have the courage and faith to obey.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

This past Sunday at my church, we looked at Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:15-20, where He tells us that a tree is recognized by its fruit. It’s a simple but powerful illustration. If we want to know what kind of tree it is, look at what kind of fruit it produces. In the same way, Jesus teaches that our lives produce fruit, and that fruit reveals what is happening in our hearts.

This raises an important question for all of us: What kind of fruit is our life producing?

When people interact with us, do they experience love or anger? Peace or anxiety? Kindness or harshness? Faithfulness or inconsistency? The fruit of our lives tells a story about what is taking root beneath the surface. While it can be uncomfortable to examine ourselves honestly, it’s a healthy exercise because Jesus wants our lives to reflect His character.

The good news is that producing good fruit is not primarily about trying harder. Many of us have spent seasons attempting to manufacture spiritual growth through our own effort and determination. Yet Scripture teaches that true spiritual fruit is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Galatians 5 reminds us that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are not merely personality traits; they are evidence of God’s Spirit at work in a surrendered life.

Think about a fruit tree for a moment. An apple tree does not strain and struggle to produce apples. But when it is rooted, watered, nourished, and connected to its source of life, it remains healthy. And the fruit naturally follows. In much the same way, when we remain connected to Jesus, spiritual fruit begins to grow in our lives.

Jesus said in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” Notice that Jesus does not say we might bear fruit. He says we will bear fruit. Fruit is the natural result of abiding in Him.

As we spend time in God’s Word, seek Him in prayer, worship Him, and walk in obedience, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms us from the inside out. We begin to respond differently: we become more patient with difficult people; more gracious when wronged; more joyful in difficult circumstances; more faithful in our commitments. The change may be slow, but it is real.

So rather than focusing solely on the fruit, focus on the relationship. Draw near to Jesus. Stay connected to Him. Seek Him daily in His Word and in prayer. As we do, the Holy Spirit will continue His work in our life, producing the kind of fruit that reflects the heart and character of Christ.

One of the great struggles we face in life is the temptation to compare ourselves to others. And comparison can pull us in two very different directions. Sometimes we look at someone else’s life and think, I wish I was more like them. We see their gifts, personality, appearance, success, family, or spiritual life, and suddenly what God has given us doesn’t seem like enough. 

At other times, comparison moves us towards pride. We look at someone else’s failures and think, “At least I’m not as bad as them.” But either way, comparison keeps our eyes focused on the wrong things.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:12: “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” Comparison was never meant to be the standard for our lives. Other people are not our measuring stick: Jesus is. And when we look at Jesus, we quickly realize that all of us fall short and all of us are in need of His grace.

One of the dangers of comparison is that it keeps us from becoming the person God created us to be. We spend so much time trying to imitate someone else that we fail to embrace the unique calling, personality, gifts, and story God has given us. Yet throughout Scripture we see that God delights in using different kinds of people. Moses struggled with insecurity. Peter was impulsive. Martha was task-oriented. David was a shepherd. Lydia was a businesswoman. None of them were called to be each other. God transformed them as they surrendered themselves to Him.

And that’s the beauty of the Gospel. God is not asking us to become cheap imitations of someone else. He’s inviting us to become authentic versions of who He created us to be. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God intentionally created each of us, and He loves us deeply. Our value isn’t found in being better than others or becoming someone we’re not. Our value is found in being loved by Him.

Comparison will always rob us of joy, peace, and purpose. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus and allow Him to shape our lives, we begin to discover the freedom of simply being who God has called us to be. And, when we seek Him and surrender our lives to Him, we are more than enough for whatever calling He has placed on our lives.

On Sunday mornings, I’ve been walking through a series on the Sermon on the Mount. And one of the things we’ve continually seen throughout this series is just how high the calling of Jesus really is. 

As we read His words, we realize that Jesus isn’t simply concerned with outward behavior—He’s after our hearts. He talks about topics like anger, lust, pride, worry, forgiveness, loving enemies, and living with purity and sincerity before God. And the deeper we look at His teaching the more aware we become of our own sin and failures.

That realization can quickly turn into shame. We can begin to focus on our failures; our weaknesses; our inconsistencies. We start believing the lie that our struggles somehow disqualify us from being loved or from being used by God. But the Gospel reminds us of something incredibly important: Jesus did not come to shame us. He came to save us.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame…” That phrase—scorning its shame—is powerful. In the Roman world, the cross represented humiliation, disgrace, and rejection. Crucifixion was designed not only to bring pain and death, but also public shame. Yet Jesus willingly endured it. Why? Because He was taking upon Himself the shame of our sin so that we would no longer have to live under its weight.

The enemy wants us trapped in shame. Shame says, “You’re a failure.” It compels us to hide from God. It says, “You’ll never amount to anything.” But conviction from the Holy Spirit isn’t shame. Conviction draws us toward God, not away from Him. It lovingly reveals what needs healing so we can experience transformation in and through Christ.

We see this throughout Scripture. After Adam and Eve sinned, shame caused them to hide in the garden. But God came looking for them. When Peter denied Jesus three times, he was overwhelmed with failure and regret. Yet after the resurrection, Jesus went to him and restored him with grace and purpose. God does not expose our weaknesses to humiliate us—He reveals them so He can heal us.

The Sermon on the Mount was never meant to drive us into despair. It was meant to show us our need for Jesus. Every command, every challenge, every moment we realize “I can’t do this perfectly,” points us back to the One who can. It reminds us that righteousness is not something we achieve through our own effort—it’s something we receive through Christ.

Romans 8:1 reminds us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” So, when the weight of failure tries to turn into shame, remember the cross. Remember that Jesus already carried our shame. Remember that His grace is greater than our weaknesses and failures. And instead of hiding from Him, we need to draw near to Him. Because the same Savior who reveals our brokenness is also the One who restores us with love, mercy, and righteousness.

In last week’s blog, I asked the question: Who are we listening to? And that question naturally leads to another one: How do we actually hear God’s voice? Because if we’re going to be people who follow His voice, we need to know how to recognize it.

In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” That’s a powerful promise—but it can also feel a little intimidating if we’re honest. Because most of us who have stepped out in faith have wondered, “Am I really hearing God… or are these just my own thoughts?”

And one thing I think we need to understand is that God is not trying to hide His voice from us. He’s not distant or silent, waiting for us to figure it all out on our own. He is a good Father who desires to speak to His children. So, the question isn’t if God is speaking… it’s whether we’re learning how to recognize His voice.

And I think one of the primary ways we do that is through His Word. God will never speak in a way that contradicts what He has already revealed in Scripture. So the more time we spend in His Word, the more familiar we become with His heart, His character, and His voice.

It’s similar to how we recognize someone we’re close to. If a close friend calls us, they don’t need to introduce themselves—we know their voice because we’ve spent time with them. The same is true with God. Familiarity comes through relationship.

Another way we learn to recognize His voice is by paying attention to what His voice sounds like. God’s voice brings peace—even when it challenges us.
It leads us toward truth, not confusion. It draws us closer to Him, not further away. 

And hearing God’s voice is sometimes about stepping away from the other noises. We live in a loud world, full of constant input, constant distraction, and constant opinions. But often, God speaks in the quiet. Which means we have to be intentional about taking time to turn down the noise and actually listen for His voice.

And here’s something I want to encourage us with—Hearing God’s voice is not something we master overnight, it’s actually something we grow in and develop over time and with practice.

There will be moments where we’re unsure. Moments where we’re learning.
Moments where we look back and realize, God was leading us there all along. That’s part of the journey.

Jesus didn’t just say, “My sheep hear my voice.” He also said, “I know them.” This points to an intimate relationship with Him. He knows us. He’s with us. And He’s faithful to lead us.

So maybe the first step we need to take in hearing His voice is seeking to know Him more intimately. Get away from the noise. Open His Word. Spend time in His presence. And trust that we will begin to recognize His voice more clearly as we draw near to Him.

“Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”’ -Numbers 13:30

I’ve found that it doesn’t matter where you go or which way you turn, we’re continuously surrounded by voices. And all of them are telling us something different. We turn on the news, and there’s one perspective. We scroll through social media, and there’s another. We talk to people, and everyone has their own opinion about what’s right, what’s wrong, and what we need to do.

It can feel overwhelming. There are moments where it’s easy to wonder, “What voices should I be listening to?” Because we know they can’t all be right.

And we’re not just hearing all these voices, we’re constantly being shaped by them. Which leads me to an important question for all of us to think about: Who are we really listening to? Because not every voice is leading us in the same direction.

In Numbers 13, we see a moment where the people of Israel are faced with competing voices. Caleb stands up and says, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” He’s not ignoring the reality of what’s in front of them—he just knows what God has already said. His confidence isn’t in himself… it’s in God’s promise.

But then the other ten spies speak up: “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” These spies are talking about the same people, same land, same circumstances that Caleb was speaking about. But we have two very different voices.

The people chose to listen to the voices that were rooted in fear instead of the voice that was rooted in faith. Because of that, what should have been a moment of stepping into God’s promise turned into 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. And when we read about this moment, it’s easy to think—How could they miss it? But if we’re honest, we’re not that different.

As I mentioned, we’re surrounded by voices too. Voices that tell us to be afraid. Voices that tell us to play it safe. Voices that magnify the obstacles and minimize God.  And if we’re not careful, we can start to give more weight to those voices than we give to God.

Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” As His people, we’re not just meant to hear His voice—we’re meant to follow it.

The voices we listen to will shape the direction of our lives. If we listen to fear, we’ll live cautiously and hold back. If we listen to doubt, we’ll hesitate and miss what God has for us. But if we listen to God, we’ll walk in faith—even when it doesn’t fully make sense.

Caleb didn’t have a different situation—he just had a different perspective. He chose to trust what God said over what he saw and over what everyone else was saying. And I think that’s the invitation for us today. To slow down. To be intentional about what voices we’re allowing to speak into our lives. To spend time in God’s Word and in His presence. And to surround ourselves with people who speak with faith, not fear.

Because who we listen to will either lead us into God’s promises—or keep us wandering in circles. So maybe today we ask ourselves: What voices have I been giving the most attention to? And are these voices pointing me toward trust in God—or away from it?

Let’s be people who choose to listen to the voice of the One who is always faithful, always true, and always leading us closer to Him.