Colossians 3:10 – New Life

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” (Colossians 3:10)

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become new. I like this verse because of the promise of renewal. Facing the realities of life can be exhausting. Fighting our foes can zap us of our energy. The promised renewal here is music to my ears.

Context (Colossians 3): This chapter gives us great insight into what life in Christ looks like and the freedoms we can enjoy. When we know our new identity in Christ, we can stop worrying whether we are good enough. Our focus is no longer on ourselves but on our identity in Christ. Jesus has done the hard work, now it’s our turn to respond. Continue reading “Colossians 3:10 – New Life”

1 Corinthians 13:13 – All About Love

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Love is pretty great, isn’t it? I’m a fortunate one to have experienced a lot of it in my life. Starting with loving parents I now have an adoring husband who continually showers love. The blessing of love comes also from our children and other family, but there’s more. God has provided an army of little ones, some of whom have children of their own now, and whom I’ve been honored to serve and teach about Jesus over the years. I can totally see how love can last forever.

Context 1 Corinthians 13: Known as the “love chapter” in the Bible, today’s memory verse is the sentence that brings that chapter to a close. Paul gives us a good idea of what love is and is not in this chapter. Love is certainly something we want in our lives for always and forever. Thanks to what Jesus did for us on the cross, we can experience love for eternity. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 13:13 – All About Love”

Matthew 5:16 – Shine Your Light & Glorify God

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16)

Making smart choices and doing good in this world has its place. This verse reminds us of that purpose. It’s not to bring attention to ourselves and take credit but to give glory to God. We’ve all seen athletes after winning a close game say to reporters, ” It’s all God” or “To God be the glory!”

Context Matthew 5:13-16: Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount starts in chapter 5 of Matthew’s gospel and covers a lot of ground. But this verse is from a smaller section in that sermon teaching about salt and light. Jesus wanted the people to know that as followers we are the salt and light of the world. It’s up to us to spice things up and point to the Father with our actions. Continue reading “Matthew 5:16 – Shine Your Light & Glorify God”

1 Peter 3:15 – Your Testimony

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15)

If I am going to worship, I’m not going to just “go through the motions.” I have found myself doing that time and again, but right now in this season of life, my worship is deeper. I like how this verse describes it. When we remember who this Jesus is that we are worshipping, we want to be in awe of his majesty.

Context (1 Peter 3:13-22): There are many gems in 1 Peter 3, and in this section entitled “Suffering for Doing Good.” So “instead” of what? What comes right before this verse that would offer the alternative? It’s simply this: Instead of worrying about what people think of your faithfulness, remember God’s protection for doing good. Continue reading “1 Peter 3:15 – Your Testimony”

John 6:63 – Hard Truth

“The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)

This verse isn’t giving us the okay to be lazy. Far from it! Jesus is really challenging us here to accept the hard truths he spoke about while he walked this earth. Jesus knew we humans would try to impress him, doing great things, thinking we could earn our way into heaven. That’s not how it works.

Context (John 6): A lot happens in Chapter 6 of John’s gospel. We find the accounts of the feeding of the 5,000, of Jesus walking on water, and of Jesus explaining he is the bread of life. This is significant because Jesus explains some really hard concepts difficult for most to accept. If he is the bread of life coming down from heaven, how can he also be from Nazareth? Jesus began to lose followers whose faith was not ready to believe all that he had to say. That’s where our verse comes in as Jesus further clarifies in verse 66 that “people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” Continue reading “John 6:63 – Hard Truth”

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