Exploring God's Colossal Promises
1 Corinthians 13 waxes eloquent about love, but John 13 waxes practical about love. Jesus washes feet and calls us to imitate Him, but we would much rather wash our hands of some people than wash their feet. How can we overcome our distaste for foot-washing?
John 12:27-33 reports a personal conversation between Jesus and God the Father. When has God guided, encouraged, or warned you in a personal way? How highly did you value what He told you?
The Bible calls us to be fruitful. What does fruitfulness look like? John 12 gives five examples. Will I trust the promises in this chapter or seek a mere fraction of what they offer?
When confronted by hopeless cases that require a miracle, will we dare to speak simple prayers of faith? What holds us back? Are our reasons Bible-based or fear-based? Consider the response of Jesus when Mary and Martha send word that their brother Lazarus is deathly ill.
An Arab Christian in Israel has learned that 15 words can open hearts to Jesus: “People need Jesus. You need Him too. Jesus helped me. Ask Him to help you.” This video explains ways you can use them too.
Contrary to common opinion, a climber does not conquer a mountain. Yes, you may relish the rush of conquering its summit. Later you may recall your mountain climbing triumph. Sooner or later, however, you will grasp that on that day the mountain conquered you — by its immensity, by its grandeur, and by its grace in having permitted you to enter and survive the Most Holy Place of its heights. Exploring God’s colossal promises, you can discover how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Prophets like Elijah performed many miracles, while John the Baptist did none — with one exception! Do you know John’s singular, stupendous supernatural sign? John 10:41 reports: “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man [Jesus] was true.” John’s sole miracle was foretelling the truth about Jesus.
Did you know that sheep are evangelists? How do sheep witness? In “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23,” author Phillip Keller explains how sheep inform lost sheep they encounter that their Shepherd is Good and worth following.
When Psalm 100 says we are the sheep of God’s pasture, and Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd, is that a poetic metaphor? Or does it described a life-changing reality? The answer is found in John 10.
In 2013 while driving home from a thrilling evangelism conference, the Holy Spirit downloaded to me a new tune. As David says: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:3a NIV). Singing this song encourages me to trust Jesus as He takes me on fishing trips with Him. I pray it will do the same for you.
Miracles are messy and controversial. In John 9, after Jesus heals a blind beggar, the poor guy gets into hot water with the Religion Police. Will we avoid miracles, or will we seek what Jesus is doing today without concern that His miracles will rock the boat?