This past week, we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. One of the things I talked about in my Easter message is the fact that the resurrection opened up the opportunity for us to live life to the fullest right now.

Unfortunately, many of us have a tendency to dwell in the past. Whether that’s struggling with past failures, struggling with things we feel God didn’t do for us, or struggling with the hurt or failure of others. We often allow these things to keep us from living the life God intended each of us to live right now.

We also have this way of seeing the resurrection as something that points to the future. Where someday, down the road, we will go to heaven and all our fears and struggles will be over. And though that is true, He has also given us the opportunity for abundant life right now. Hope for a glorious future shouldn’t keep us from living the life that God has called us to live today.

Jesus came to untangle our past and allow the hope of our future to seep into our present—so that we can live the lives He’s called us to live right here, right now: lives full of His love, hope, and joy; lives that are impacting those around us.

John 3:16 tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The eternal life that He has given us doesn’t start when our time on this earth comes to an end. The eternal life that He’s given us starts the minute we say yes to Him. Are we living that eternal life right now? Are we living our lives the way God has called us to live?

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to make a way for us to experience eternal life. Help us to grab hold of that life right now and to live it to the fullest. May we walk in the power of Your Spirit and be the light and life you have called us to be in a world that so desperately needs us. -Amen

Today is what the church refers to as Good Friday: a day to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross; a time for us to reflect on the profound depth of God’s love demonstrated through Jesus’ sacrifice.

In Romans 5:8 it says: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Imagine a vast ocean, stretching endlessly before you, with its immeasurable depths. This ocean represents God’s endless love, a love so deep that it surpasses our human understanding. It is within this unfathomable love that Jesus willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Reflecting on Good Friday allows us to dive into the depths of God’s love, understanding that it was not our works or righteousness that compelled Christ to the cross, but His overwhelming love for each one of us.

In 1 Peter 2:24 we read: “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

The cross is a symbol of both agony and redemption. Jesus endured unimaginable suffering, bearing the weight of our sins upon His shoulders. However, His sacrifice was not in vain. Through His death and resurrection, we are offered the gift of salvation and the opportunity to be reconciled with God. Reflecting on Good Friday allows us to contemplate the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope it brings to all of us in this broken and hurting world.

John 3:16 reminds us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Good Friday serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sacrificial love and the promise of eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ. It’s a time to humbly kneel at the foot of the cross—acknowledging our need for mercy and redemption—and surrender our lives to the Savior who willingly laid down His life for us. As we reflect on the significance of Good Friday, may we feel the weight and beauty of God’s gift to us and be filled with gratitude and awe for the unconditional love God demonstrated through the cross.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly suffered and died on the cross for our sins. Help us to reflect deeply on the significance of Good Friday and to never take for granted the price that was paid for our redemption. May we be forever transformed by Your love and live our lives in humble obedience to Your will. In Your precious Son’s name. -Amen

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had a couple different conversations on the topic of decision-making. It’s hard for us to make decisions that we know will ultimately affect our future. Many of us desire to follow Jesus but worry about each decision: whether it’s what He would have us do or not.

This week as I was preparing my message, I ended up reading through Psalm 23 and I realized it has some great insight on decision-making. As our Shepherd, God guides and leads us along the right path, especially in the midst of life’s toughest decisions and uncertainties.

Psalm 23:1-3a says this: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

Imagine standing at a crossroads faced with a multitude of paths stretching out before you. Each path represents a decision to be made, a choice that could significantly impact your life’s journey. In these moments of uncertainty, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of which direction to take. However, as believers, we can take comfort in knowing that we have a loving Shepherd who guides and leads us along the right path.

Much like an experienced mountain guide who knows the mountain like the back of their hand and skillfully leads their hikers through treacherous terrain, God knows the intricate details of our future. And He also knows the intricate details of our lives. He knows the paths that lie ahead and which direction would be uniquely best for each of us. He leads us with wisdom and discernment, guiding us away from harm and towards greener pastures.

As His sheep, He calls us to trust in Him completely, surrendering our plans and desires to His perfect will and trusting Him to get us back on the right path even when we make mistakes. When we acknowledge God as our Shepherd and submit our ways to Him, He promises to make our paths straight. This doesn’t mean that the journey will always be easy or without challenges, but it assures us that God will lead us in the direction that is best for us. When we fix our eyes on Him and His promises, we can trust that He will lead us through all of life’s ups and downs.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Shepherd who guides and leads us along the right path. Help us to trust in Your wisdom and submit our ways to Your perfect will. May we find comfort and peace in knowing that You are with us every step of the way. Lead us, O Lord, and help us to follow you wherever You want to take us. -Amen.

In 1 John 4:16-21 we read: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 

I don’t think I fully realized this until recent years: The only way I can love God is by relying on His love to fill me first.

Think about that. Repeat it. Let it settle.

We love because He first loved us. That’s what these verses say.

And, yet, I think of all the times that I have tried so hard to love in my own strength and my own power, with my own understanding. No wonder we (humans) struggle with the two greatest commandments: to love God and love people. 

Honestly, this fundamental truth has changed my priorities in my prayer life. This is a portion of my first prayer each morning: “Please fill me with Your love and let everything in my life flow out of that…Help me to receive from You, rather than trying to control my surroundings.”

What changes in our lives when we pray this way? For me, nearly everything has changed in my knowing and loving God, as well as my loving people. There is no striving in it because I’m both trusting in and relying on God’s love to do the work in me.

I don’t do it perfectly. I forget sometimes. But, most days, this simple realization and request give me the capacity and desire and strength to love like Jesus loves because I’m using His love as fuel, and operating from a place of abundance. God is love—there is no shortage.

My blog this week is another devotional my wife did for our church:

“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”  -Matthew 9:36

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  -Luke 18:16-17

When my kids were small, I taught them not to stare at people. I thought I was teaching them to be socially aware and, in some ways, I was. However, lately I’ve been thinking about how this morphs in our understanding as we get older and can actually make us less like Jesus if we’re not careful.

I recently heard that children ask about 250 questions a day, whereas adults ask only about 20 questions a day. You see, kids are new to “the whole thing” and have a lot of questions. I believe we can agree that young children often stare at people that are foreign to them in order to try to understand their world. They see something different and their gaze lingers a little longer to try to make sense of it. This can be uncomfortable, both for the parent and for the person who is being observed. But—before a certain age—the child isn’t judging what they see, but simply trying to make sense of it. They’re trying to understand the person within the context of the world they’re getting to know.

Maybe you can see where I’m going with this: Sometimes, as adults, it might be good to purposefully look at the people around us—especially those who are different than us—both to try to understand them and, in doing so, to make them part of “our world,” instead of someone with whom we should avoid eye contact. And maybe we can try to ask more questions and cultivate a heart of curiosity, rather than judgment.

The thing is, Jesus loves every other person on earth just as much as He loves you. Every person has inherent worth simply because they are made in the image of God. And, if we’re going to be like Jesus, we are going to engage people who are different from us: people who might make us uncomfortable; people who might have different beliefs, values, and morals. We cannot lose sight of the fact that Jesus purposefully and regularly engaged and made eye contact with people who we might easily avoid.

I’m certainly not saying that we should start staring at people who are different than us. But maybe we can make an effort to make eye contact with others and engage those people that God allows to cross our path. My youth pastor said it this way, “Walk slowly through the crowd.” If we want to be like Jesus, we have to see people, have compassion for them, and then engage them.

This week in our men’s group, the topic was loving our enemies and one of the key points was forgiveness. This created some great discussion as we talked about the challenges of forgiving those who have hurt us or our loved ones.

Jesus taught extensively on forgiveness during His time here on earth. In the Lord’s Prayer, He instructed His disciples to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”(Matthew 6:12). And Jesus emphasized the link between receiving forgiveness and extending it to others. 

He illustrated this truth through the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35), as he points out the immeasurable grace we have received from God and the importance of reflecting that same kind of grace to others.

The story of Joseph which I referenced in last week’s blog is an amazing example of the power of forgiveness. If you aren’t familiar with his story, he was betrayed by his brothers who were jealous of him. They sold him into slavery, and he was subjected to unjust suffering for years. 

Joseph could have harbored bitterness and sought revenge but, years later when his brothers showed up at the place where he now had great authority and power over them, his response to them was one of forgiveness. When he revealed who he was to his brothers, he said, “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5). Joseph recognized the hand of God in his circumstances and chose forgiveness over resentment. And healing took place between him and his brothers.

When we forgive, we aren’t condoning anyone’s wrongdoing. Instead, we are choosing to release the grip of resentment and entrust justice to God. Our forgiveness frees us from the chains of bitterness and opens our hearts to healing and reconciliation. As Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, famously said, “Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”

Opportunities to practice forgiveness are all around us. Whether it’s forgiving a friend who has betrayed our trust, reconciling with a family member with whom we’ve had a falling out, or extending grace to a stranger who has wronged us, forgiveness is a testament to the transformative power of God’s love working within us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing grace You have poured out upon us through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. Give us the strength and wisdom to forgive as we have been forgiven and to extend mercy as we have received mercy. Help us to release the burdens of bitterness and resentment, and instead, clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. May Your love shine through us as we embrace the transformative power of forgiveness. —Amen.

Pain, whether physical or emotional, is a part of our human experience. And being a Christian doesn’t make us exempt. However, as followers of Jesus, we are not without hope. In the midst of our pain, we can find comfort in the love and presence of our Heavenly Father.

The Scriptures remind us that God knows our pain. In Isaiah 53:3, it says this about Jesus: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” When we suffer, we can take comfort in knowing that we serve a God who understands our pain and struggles firsthand. We can find refuge in His presence, knowing that He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalm 34:18).

Additionally, our pain can and should draw us closer to God. When we experience pain, it is a sign that something is off, that something needs to be attended to. Our pain, whether physical or emotional, reminds us that we need help. And it’s in these times that we can turn to God in prayer, seeking His comfort and strength. Through prayer and spending time in His Word, we can experience His peace—A peace that passes all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Furthermore, our pain can serve as a powerful testimony to others. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, we read: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” As we walk through our own trials, we can offer empathy and encouragement to those who are hurting, sharing how God has sustained us in our darkest moments.

Consider the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Despite facing betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, Joseph remained faithful to God. In the end, God used Joseph’s suffering to accomplish His greater purpose, saving many lives in the process. Similarly, God can use our pain for His glory, bringing beauty from ashes and working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

So, as we journey through times of pain and suffering, remember that we are not alone. God is with us, surrounding us with His love and sustaining us with His grace. We need to lean into His presence, draw strength from His Word, and allow Him to use our pain to minister to others. May we all find comfort in knowing that our suffering is not in vain, but rather a part of God’s beautiful redemptive plan.

This week my wife shared a devotional for our church and I decided to share it here on my blog: 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1Thessalonians 5:16-18

“The benefits of gratitude are astronomical, and there are no downsides.” –Tsh Oxenreider, FIRST LIGHT & EVENTIDE

It’s very easy to focus on the wrong things. It takes discipline to focus on what matters. We know that gratitude changes us, but it takes discipline and consistency to actually name the things that have brought us joy. 

In FIRST LIGHT & EVENTIDE, Tsh Oxenreider wrote the following, siting Robert Emmons, “Gratitude and Well-Being,” https://emmons.faculty.ucdavis.edu/gratitude-and-well-being/ :

“Studies have shown that people who keep gratitude journals also exercise more regularly and experience fewer negative physical symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, are more optimistic, are more likely to make progress toward important personal goals, report higher levels of alertness and energy, sense a greater feeling of connection to others, and even sleep better.

A few weeks ago, Darrin encouraged us all in the weekly devotional to remember God’s blessings. It is so important.

But, sometimes, we can allow the real and actual way that God wants us to live our lives seem like something kind of “out there” or hyper-spiritual or intangible and just out of reach. So let’s take his encouragement and refine it even more.

Today, I wrote in my gratitude journal that I’m thankful for Lady Grey tea. This is my favorite tea ever, and the warm drink, distinct-but-delicate flavor, and citrusy-bergamot aroma all bless me daily. It doesn’t sound very spiritual, but I think it might be better than only writing “I’m thankful for my salvation” every day. Because it’s authentic. It’s sharing a moment with my Father in Heaven and giving Him thanks for it.

God wants to BE WITH US. He wants to hear our sorrows. He wants to hear about what we love. And He wants us to choose to share it with Him. And when we practice bringing all the parts of our lives to God—even the unspiritual and tiniest parts—He enters in; He speaks to our hearts; He delights in us; He fills us with His love. And something really does change inside of us when we take note of “the feeling of petting the silky smooth fur on my dog’s ear” or “the gritty conversation that led to a deeper friendship” …or whatever has blessed YOU today. Because when we give thanks to God—specifically, daily, and in all circumstances—He multiplies the blessings: in our lives; in our hearts; and in our minds. He fills us to overflowing and His presence is the sweetest gift of all. Thank You, Jesus.

We all know that prayer is an amazing way for us to seek God and to give Him our struggles and desires. In Philippians 4, it tells us to make our requests known and, in James 2, it says we have not because we ask not. 

While this aspect of prayer is vital in our lives, there’s another dimension that is equally important—taking time to listen for God’s voice. True prayer is a two-way conversation, an exchange between our hearts and the heart of God. 

In Psalm 5:3 we read: “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him in prayer. And I believe He graciously listens to every word—But He also desires to respond. Which is why it’s crucial for us to create space and time to listen for His response. 

In Psalm 46:10, He encourages us to: “be still, and know that I am God.” When we quiet our hearts and minds, it enables us to discern the still, small voice of God speaking to us. 

You may remember the story in 1 Kings 19 where Elijah heard the voice of the Lord. It wasn’t in the great wind, or in the earthquake, or in the fire—It was a gentle whisper. I believe we too can hear the whisper of God when we take time to quiet our hearts and minds in prayer.

Prayer should be a transformative encounter with our Creator. James 5:16 tell us that: “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” It’s through prayer that we invite God to work in our lives, to mold us and to shape us according to His will. When we open our hearts to Him and allow Him to speak into our lives, He transforms us from the inside out.

Prayer is our connection to our Heavenly Father—a dialogue between our hearts and His. As we practice both speaking to God and listening for His voice, we deepen our relationship with Him and experience His transformative power in our lives. May prayer not only be a means to express our needs but also a pathway to intimacy with the Divine, where we find guidance, comfort, and strength for life’s journey. -Amen

As a part of God’s intricate design for our lives, He has placed a need within each of us for relationships. From the very beginning, God declared that it is not good for humans to be alone (Genesis 2:18). We were created for relationship—relationship with God and relationship with one another. This truth highlights the importance of community and our support for one another. 

Proverbs 27:17 talks about this: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This scripture captures the heart of positive connections by comparing them to the process of sharpening iron. As followers of Jesus, we are called to understand the profound truth expressed through this metaphor and apply it to our daily lives.

Consider the nature of iron sharpening iron. It’s a process that requires motion, contact, and intentional effort. In our relationships, this speaks to the need for engagement and connection. We are not meant to live in isolation, instead we are designed to be dependent upon one another. Our lives are strengthened and sharpened when we engage with others, sharing our experiences (both good and bad), wisdom, and love.

The words we speak hold incredible power. I’ve been talking about this at church recently. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that: “the tongue has the power of life and death.” In the context of positive relationships, our words can either build up or tear down. As Christians, our speech should reflect the love and encouragement of Jesus. 

Ephesians 4:29 instructs us: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Imagine a world where our words are like a refreshing breeze, lifting the spirits of those around us. Our encouragement, kindness, and support can be a source of strength for others, helping them navigate life’s challenges. In the same way, when we surround ourselves with positive influences, we become better equipped to face the trials of life.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be intentional about our relationships. Seek out fellow believers who can sharpen you, challenge you, and encourage you to grow in your walk with God. In the same way, we need to be a source of encouragement for others, reminding them of their innate worth and also their potential in Christ.

Let us be mindful of the words we speak, recognizing that they have the power to shape destinies. May our relationships be characterized by love, unity, and mutual encouragement, reflecting the heart of God who desires for us to be better together. As iron sharpens iron, may we embrace the beauty of positive relationships, walking hand in hand with our brothers and sisters in His love and grace.