Matthew 26:26-29 – Jesus Will Meet Us There

Read Matthew 26:26-29

Do you watch “The Chosen” television show yet? The scene depicted in our reading is played out in Season 5, episode 6. How do I know? I just watched this episode in preparation for our Youth Group viewing this week. The Chosen is a great depiction of the life of Jesus. It’s exciting to hear all about how many lives are being changed by God for those watching that series. You can watch it for free in The Chosen app.

The setting was in an upper room. Jesus was gathered with his dearest friends and followers for the Passover meal. This would be Jesus’ last meal with them. Jesus knew what was coming, but the disciples did not fully understand. All these thousands of years later, we still do not fully understand what had to happen with Jesus or the Kingdom of God, where Jesus will again meet us. Continue reading “Matthew 26:26-29 – Jesus Will Meet Us There”

Romans 6:1-11 – Die With Christ

Read Romans 6:1-11

Here’s a clue. “Seeking the Kingdom of God” may not lead us to a particular place. King Jesus rules in our hearts now, just like He will in our eternal home in heaven. These verses talk a lot about dying with Christ and being united to him. It’s a lot to try and grasp.

Paul addresses the Roman church here full of many new Christians following Jesus and hungry to know more. The whole book of Romans is helpful for new believers, while it still challenges long-time believers. Paul wants to set his audience up for success as Christ followers. Continue reading “Romans 6:1-11 – Die With Christ”

Matthew 6:25-34 – Above All Else

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Our final theme, “Seeking God’s Kingdom,” explores Bible texts describing what God’s Kingdom is. Where do we look, and how do we know when we’ve found it? Simply stated, the Kingdom of God is where we find God sitting on his throne. Often referred to as “heaven,” God’s kingdom is where King Jesus rules, and everyone who believes is welcome.

Jesus commands us to seek His Kingdom rather than get distracted by all the wrong things. We can all identify with what it means to worry and how, in times of crisis, we are often stuck in a spiral of worry and dread. Jesus knows how lost we can get when our thoughts run rampant, chasing after “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios. Even the most devout of believers can fall prey to the evil one’s schemes to distract us with worry or concerns of the day. Continue reading “Matthew 6:25-34 – Above All Else”

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – What is Love?

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Clearly, God desires that we love others. In our world today, the word love gets shuffled around a bit carelessly. We say we love chocolate or love to stay up late and sleep in. Love is so much more than that, especially the Biblical love God intends for his people to share with Him and others. These verses give us a glimpse of what love is and is not.

How great is it that we have such great advice about love in the Bible! It shouldn’t surprise us that much because God calls us to love him and love each other. Understanding what love is all about helps us succeed at being better lovers. We also know that God loves us unconditionally. John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Continue reading “1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – What is Love?”

Acts 15:1-35 – Gentiles Welcome!

Read Acts 15:1-35

Have you ever been on the ground floor of something new in your community? Our reading today is about one of those early meetings of church leaders to discuss issues facing new believers. Church leadership wanted to be on the same page about what the “new” laws would be. Christ-followers could now be Jew or Gentile, and that whole dynamic was huge in those days.

You’re a Gentile if you’re a non-Jewish person. Jewish believers had to really stretch to allow Gentiles to worship Jesus, too. It’s helpful to know the context here. The issue focuses on tradition and what should be expected of new followers who have no idea about Jewish traditions and laws. For generations, the Jews had done things a certain way according to the law of Moses. Their neighbors, the Gentiles, lived their lives in a totally different fashion. Continue reading “Acts 15:1-35 – Gentiles Welcome!”

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