We have been living through a pandemic for a whole year. For almost 13 months, we've seen news updates about the pandemic which always spark debates because this thing has everyone in a tizzy. The politics surrounding the pandemic is unbelievable and opinions stretch as far right and as far left as you can possibly get. There aren't a whole lot of people like me in the middle just trying to do the right thing. There are a lot of other things in the news these days that also might add to our anxious thoughts. If the COVID-19 pandemic or anything else going on in your life has you feeling anxious, let me encourage you to turn off the TV, get off of social media, set some time aside, and turn to the only One who can ease your anxiety. I know you're busy. Everybody is busy doing something but resolve to set aside some time, whether it be 15 minutes or 2 hours. Just unplug, take a deep breath, and open up your Bible. Take a few minutes to consider the following Bible verses to combat anxiety. Read them. Study them. Meditate on them. Underline them in your Bible or highlight them with your favorite color highlighter. Come back to them again and again and again. God is the only real source of relief and peace during turbulent times. Turn your eyes, your heart, and your mind to Him and to Him alone so that you can leave your anxious thoughts at the feet of Jesus and find true peace over your situations.
Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety
1. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. - Psalm 94:19
2. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. - Proverbs 12:25
3. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17
4. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8
5. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7
6. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31
7. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1
8. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27
9. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
10. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22
11. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
12. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. - Luke 12:22
13. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4
14. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7
15. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
16. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30
17. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
18. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13
19. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9
20. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Christ Took Our Punishment. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
The majority of people who believe there is a Heaven believe that doing good things is how you get into Heaven. This is because they don't know the message of the cross. The Bible teaches us that no one is without sin. We all deserve death. We all deserve the cross, but someone died in your place. His name is Jesus.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18
Christ Took Your Punishment in Your Place
1. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?
We are not good enough. We could never be good enough to get to God in Heaven on our own. We cannot, on our own, escape God's punishment which is death. His judgment is coming to everyone. If God brings His judgment upon us right now, based on our works, we will all be wiped out.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. - Ephesians 2:1-3
We are rebellious by nature, but God is good, perfect, and holy. He is also perfectly just. He is a just God who cannot let sin simply slip away. He demands justice.
God does not send people to Hell. We were already going there.
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. - John 3:16
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29
Jesus absorbed all the wrath of God on the cross.
God is perfectly just and He perfectly loves us so that He sent Jesus to take our punishment. God knows who you are. Jesus knows who you are and He died for you.
2. What will you do with the message of the cross?
As we continue in our series in the book of Ephesians, we've been talking about our walk with the Lord. Today we are talking about walking in love. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Walking in Love
We are in Ephesians 5 where Paul talks to us about walking in love. Before we walk in love, we need to know that we are loved and that we need a model, an example to follow.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2
1. You are loved by God.
We are to have to nothing to do with impurity. (Ephesians 5:3) When we look for satisfaction in impurity, we will fall into impurity's entrapment. Real satisfaction is only found in God's love.
Every single fear and anxiety would disappear if we could fully grasp God's love for us. You are deeply loved by God. God's love for us is unconditional and unfailing.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. - Ephesians 1:3-5
We have no reason to live like orphans. We are not orphans. You are, as a saved believer, adopted into the family of God.
We have His acceptance.
We have access to Him. We can go to Him at any time.
We have His protection.
We have an inheritance.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace. - Ephesians 1:7
Because God loves us, we can walk in love.
Love serves.
Love is kind.
Love forgives.
Love gives.
Love shows. Love is more than words. Love is action.
At my church, we have been walking through Ephesians for the past few weeks. Today, we are talking about walking in unity. We are looking at Ephesians 4:1-6. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Walking in the will of God doesn't mean walking in sunshine and roses all the time.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling;one Lord, one faith, one baptism,one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. - Ephesians 4:1-6
The Holy Spirit has the power to transcend differences within the body of Christ. He doesn't necessarily do this in the secular world, but He does within the church. (Ephesians 4:3)
Don't be a fault finder in regard to others. Whatever you are looking for, good or bad, you will find.
3. We have been told why we need to walk in unity.
We are one body and one hope in Jesus.
Unity is our most powerful witness to the world.
That they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. - John 17:21
Jesus was missional. We should be missional like Jesus was.
For the past few weeks at my church, we've been talking about habits. Habits can determine the course of our lives. Bad habits will lead us down a destructive path. Good habits will improve our quality of life. There is no way human beings can live a life filled with nothing but good habits. Truth be told, we all have bad habits we need to change. However, there was one man who lived a perfect life. He had no bad habits at all. His name was and is Jesus. As Christ followers, we should desire to copy the habits of Jesus (we are calling them Jesus habits). We have learned that Jesus prayed. Jesus worshiped. Jesus was relational. Jesus was generous. Today, we learn that Jesus was missional.
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Jesus Was Missional
If your life is overcome with bad habits, you don't have to stay that way. The gospel of Jesus is powerful enough to change your bad habits. When the gospel changes your habits, your whole life changes.
Our pastor mentions in the video above that one bad habit is wasting time. One reason for wasting time is not knowing your life's mission or purpose. Sometimes we know our life's mission or purpose, but we are afraid to take that step.
I'm not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter. - William Carey
Jesus never wasted time. Jesus rested, slept, enjoyed meals, and spent time with friends, but He wasted no time fulfilling His mission. Jesus was missional.
What was Jesus' mission?
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. - Luke 19:10
Jesus never strayed from His mission.
As followers of Jesus, His mission is our mission.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be to you; just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." - John 20:21
Are you a follower of Jesus? If your answer is "yes," then His mission is your mission. If your answer is "no," then learn more about how you can have a relationship with Jesus here.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.2 And there was a man called by the name f Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature.4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see Him, because He was about to pass through that way.5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”6 And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully.7 When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!”8 But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much.”9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” - Luke 19:1-10
Take not of three missional words at the end of the above passage: Seek, Save, Lost.
Have you ever been lost? You can be lost and not look like you are lost. Zacchaeus did not look lost, but he was. He thought he was somebody important, but there was a void in his life. Zacchaeus fell short of the glory of God. We are told in Romans 3:23 that we ALL fall short of the glory of God.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23
Like Zacchaeus, many of us think we are "OK with God" or that we are "righteous enough." Like Zacchaeus, we might appear to "have it all," but instead be empty.
Guess what? You might think you are seeking Jesus, but Jesus is seeking you. Like Christ came to Zacchaeus, He comes to you. God wants to spend time with you.
When Jesus saves you, He changes everything about you.
Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy. Salvation is a relationship with Jesus. When we receive His love, forgiveness, joy, and peace, our hearts change.
Do you need a change in your heart? Do you need new good habits? Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost. His mission is to seek and save you.
If you are already a Christ follower, then you have been found so that you can find others. You have been loved so that you can love others. You have been changed so that you can become a change agent in the lives of others.
Jesus was generous. We should develop the habit of living generously. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Jesus Habits: Generosity."
Jesus was generous.
You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
What does it mean to be generous? Generosity is defined as being intentional in life by offering yourself and resources to others in the name of Jesus. We are never more like Jesus than when we are generous. Generosity is a foundational Jesus habit.
Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” - Mark 1:41
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” - Matthew 9:27-29
A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. - John 5:5-9
At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. - Luke 7:21-22
Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:13-14
Jesus always made time for those who were hurting.
Jesus was generous to His enemies.
Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. - Matthew 26:48-50
But Jesus responded and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. - Luke 22:51
34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves. - Luke 23:34
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. - Romans 5:10
And you were dead in your offenses and sins,2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). - Ephesians 2:1-5
Jesus gave Himself to us.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. - Philippians 2:3-8
When we see how much we have been given, it is easy to give.
What does the habit of generosity look like in our lives?
The biggest lie Satan wants you to believe is that you have to already have a lot in order to be generous. Not true! Let's read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.
14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.16 The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents.17 In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more.18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.20 The one who had received the five
talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you
entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’
22 “Also the one who had receivedthe two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ - Matthew 25:14-23
God has given each of us a "measure of talents" to be used to invest in God's kingdom. Some of have 5 and some of us have 2. The "talents" we are given are to be used as Jesus commands and that is to love Him and love others. How do we love others? We follow Jesus' example. We are to be generous to others.
We do not need a lot to be generous. We only need a changed heart.
There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?”10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.11 Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. - John 6:9-11
Generosity is not just and act. It is an attitude of the heart.
Generosity is not just a feeling. It is a lifestyle choice.
We don't always feel like being generous. Sometimes we don't want to be generous because we feel the other person doesn't deserve our generosity. Well, generosity is not based on how we feel or whether or not the receiver deserves our generosity. Our generosity is based on who we are in Christ Jesus.
If you read and study the Bible, especially the gospels, you'll quickly realize the habits of Jesus. You'll see His characteristics and His behavior. You'll recognize the habits of the Man who lived a sinless life. My pastor is leading us through a series called Jesus Habits. We are learning about various Jesus Habits because as Christ followers, we should be copying the habits of Jesus as closely as we possibly can. Today, we are learning that Jesus was relational. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Jesus Was Relational
Relational people draw others to themselves. They don't push others away. They don't talk about others. They talk to others. They don't look down on others or pull others down. They lift others up. They don't take from others. They give to others. Instead of pre-judging others, they intentionally seek to get to know others.
What habits have you formed regarding other people? Would you be considered a relational person?
Relating to others is the key to opening the door to their hearts.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them." - Luke 15:1-2
Jesus was relational. Notice in Luke 15:1-2 above that the tax collectors and sinners were "coming near Jesus to listen to Him." Jesus drew people to him. Jesus loved people. He cared and still cares about people. Jesus was always intentional about bringing people to their greatest need, a relationship with God.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells a series of stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Every one of those items were found. Let's read the entire chapter together.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 And so He told them this parable, saying,4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the [c]open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?5 And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And
when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors,
saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was
lost!’7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
The Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin which I had lost!’10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Prodigal Son
11 And He said, “A man had two sons.12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them.13 And
not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and
went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his
estate in wild living.14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without.15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.16 And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything.17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger!18 I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’20 So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet;23 and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate;24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.27 And
he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered
the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” - Luke 15
My pastor mentions the lyrics to a song called Reckless Love. Some of the lyrics are:
There's no shadow You won't light up,
Mountain you won't climb up; coming after me.
There's no wall You won't kick down,
Lie You won't tear down; coming after me.
Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God . . .
It chases me down, fights till I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine.
The love of God is powerful and relational!
All throughout the gospels, the examples of Jesus relating to others with love are everywhere. Those examples are likely found around you as well, in your church and in Jesus-followers who live life around you.
Jesus comes to you, relates to you, loves you where you are, and transforms you by His power.
Here are a few more examples of Jesus relating to others.
Jesus began a relationship with a man named Matthew, an unpopular tax collector, and it opened many other doors.
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. - Matthew 9:9-12
Jesus demonstrated that sharing a meal is one of the best steps to building relationships.
Jesus valued relationships over "red tape."
Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.6 Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, said to him, “Do you want to get well?”7 The
sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when
the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down
before me.”8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.
Now it was a Sabbath on that day.10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is a Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” - John 5:5-10
Are you someone who removes "red tape" so some relationships can be formed and others can come to Christ?
Jesus removed "red tape" multiple times.
*The Samaritan woman in John 4.
*A sinful woman in John 8.
*Zacchaeus in Luke 17.
*The leprous man in Luke 5.
*Nicodemus in John 3.
The last thing Jesus did before He died on the cross was to build a relationship with a person.
42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:42-43
If we want to follow Jesus's habits, what does this look like for you?
1. Be authentic.
Be authentic in your identity. Be yourself. Some people will like you and some won't but you are unique and gifted to relate to others. God is always at work in YOU. Be YOU.
Be authentic in your motives. Your motive should always be about getting others into a relationship with God.
2. Be aware.
If you want to be like Jesus, then you have to be aware of His work. Be aware of His work around you. Be aware of divine appointments.
But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” - John 5:17
Where has God placed you? Do you view where you are as a divine appointment, His assignment?
3. Be approachable.
Smile. Be nice. Be kind. Be friendly. Be interested in others.
Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. - Romans 12:9-10
Don't pretend to love others. Really love them.
4. Be affirming.
Acceptance doesn't mean approval. We can affirm others because they were made in the image of God. Everyone has the same basic needs. Our affirmation of others is always rooted in God's love for them.
All that you do must be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14
