by Tom Brown

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)

A Lesson from the Telescope
The heavens above make the hearts of men marvel by their magnitude. The stars are too many to count. There are planets and solar systems likely never to be discovered. Eclipses, comets, black holes, dark matter, antimatter, mysteries… With our most powerful telescopes we little humans probe the ever-expanding universe, and what do we find? In the midst of the immeasurable sea of darkness and light we find order. We find rhythm. We find design. The Creator God, who is the Author of all things which exist, holds every star in its place. He governs the heat of the sun and the orbit of the moon. It is he who has set the course of the celestial, and he has done it with only a word from his lips. 

Do you fear that God is unable to order the situations and circumstances of your life? Do you worry that your problems are too big for him? Do you fret that the needs of your life are too great for God? Let us learn a lesson from the telescope. He who holds the galaxies in the palm of his hand—governing them with complete perfection, upholding them by the word of his power—is mighty to triumph over your greatest foe. None of your menacing troubles are troubling for God. 

A Lesson from the Microscope
When surveying the skies, we often lose our balance, but we have been mesmerized by the earth beneath as well. It seems that as incomprehensibly small creatures in the midst of this vast, ordered, and complex universe around us, there is yet another universe to be explored, the universe within. Every particle in creation is vividly embroidered with the fingerprints of it's Designer. The hands which shaped the heavens, are the same hands which determine the weight of the nucleus of an atom. As we zoom in to the most elemental substances of life, investigating things unseen to the naked eye, what do we find? Order. Rhythm. Design. You see, when Jesus said that, “Even the very hairs on your head are all numbered,” he was actually being very modest. Through the lens of the microscope we see an invisible symphony of electrons, protons, and neutrons dancing to the perfectly choreographed rhythm of God’s sovereign will. Not one particle is forgotten. Not one atom is out of place.

Do you wonder if the tiny mundane moments of your life are important to your heavenly Father? Do you wonder if God has time for you? If he is interested and willing to help you sort through the trials of your everyday life? Dear child of God, learn a lesson from the microscope. You are no trouble to your Father! He is not bothered by your needs, however trivial and fleeting they may be. It is not within our power to encumber the almighty God. He is entirely inexhaustible in his willingness to acquaint himself with the humdrum of our lives. Let us run to him with haste! None of our needs are unconcerning to him, and this is how he delights to reveal his glory. 

Let us remember who our God is, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. 

Rest your troubles upon the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, because he cares for you.  

by Jeremy McKeen

How do you live the good life? What do you need to know or do in order to really live life as it’s meant to be? Jesus taught that, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt.4:4). This means that there are two ways to pursue this sense of life to the full. There’s one approach that works and one that doesn’t.

What You Can’t Live On

What does Jesus mean by “live” and “bread”? The Greek word he uses for live is “zoe”, and it means the enjoyment or quality of life. It’s not the word “bios”, which is just the existence or quantity of life. This means that you can exist on bread alone, but you can’t live on bread alone. Now what is meant by bread? Bread means more than food; it’s a metaphor for the various material and physical things of life. It’s your career, your family, and your health - good things that you were meant to live with but never on. For example, in the very beginning of The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins’ life centered on maintaining the comforts of his hobbit hole. But when the wizard Gandalf invites Bilbo on an adventure, Bilbo follows and finally begins to live not just exist. The greatest treasure that Bilbo found on his journey was learning how to have a right relationship to the material things in this life. There’s no lasting meaning, hope and joy by anxiously trying to grasp or maintain the various “breads” of this world. You were meant to live with them, but never on them. So how do you truly live?

What You Must Live On

Jesus teaches that life to the full comes by living on every word that comes from God. Imagine that you’re looking out a window and you keep seeing a bird flying back and forth to a particular tree. This goes on for several hours until finally the bird lands and inches its way to it’s nest. Now, why was this bird going back and forth to this tree so many times? Because it lived on the tree. In a similar way, that’s how you are meant to be with the bible. People should be able to look at Christians and see them like little birds going back and forth to the bible. Why? That’s what they live on. God’s word is what calls you out of your safe hobbit holes of comfort and guides you, encourages you, and causes you to experience life as its meant to be. And Jesus wants you to live on every word, not on most of the words or your favorite words, but on every word of God. The entire bible is important, but how can you actually live on it?

How You Can Live On It

For many people, reading the bible with effectiveness and regular satisfaction can seem so out of reach. Here are some ways that can help:

1) Live on the word made flesh. Tim Keller said it this way, “Before you can live rightly on the word made text, you need to live on the Word made flesh.” Because Jesus, the Word made flesh, lived and died for you, you can read the word made text not to get or keep God on your side, but because you know in Jesus, he already is on your side.

2) Use a bible reading plan. In order to live on every word, it’s helpful to have a reading plan that guides you through the entire scriptures. As they say, “If you fail to plan, then you’re planning to fail.”

3) Show up even when you don’t feel like it. There will come a time when you don’t feel like reading God’s word. Read it anyway. You know how to show up for work when you don’t feel like going. Just do the same with God.

4) Come to the bible prayerfully. David prayed, “Open up my eyes that I might see wonderful things from your word.” He acknowledged that the problem was with him, not the scriptures. You can open up the word, but God must open up the word to you.

5) Go to get a feeding not a feeling. Your daily reading may not always taste like an amazing feast, but meals are like that. Sometimes you don't have this great experience, but you’re still being nourished. Likewise, trust that God’s word is transforming you even when it doesn’t feel like it is.

6) Take time to search the scriptures. God’s truth is also compared to gold that a man searches and finds. A search takes time and effort. Don’t skim the bible like a newspaper; search it like you’re digging for gold.  

7) Let the God of the scriptures search you. When you come to the bible, do you have the red pen or does God? Let God rearrange your understanding of an issue or situation, and be a doer of the word. Live your life on every word that comes from God and you will experience the good life.

by Tom Brown

As I was finishing the book of Romans this morning, I came across 16:1-16. Sections of the Bible like this one often get skipped over, (even by myself at times, I admit), but today I felt compelled to take my time here. The verses are a list of the names of people who the Apostle Paul knew and was commending to the church at Rome. I think the reason sections like this tend to be passed by is because the names feel unrelatable to us, ‘Who are these folks?’ we ask, but there are few quick answers to be found. Nevertheless, today I found myself pondering a question as I read that I feel is worthy for each of us to ask. Before you read on take a moment to read over the text. 

The people Paul has mentioned are all ordinary folks, undeserving sinners who had been saved by grace alone. They probably had regular jobs and modest homes, budding families and routine responsibilities. Yet, Paul takes the time to mention them each by name and to speak a good word about the way they are living for God. Apparently these ordinary people were not content to live an ordinary faith. They wanted more than a club to belong to on Sundays, more than encouraging social gatherings and potluck meals. In fact, it is apparent from the descriptions Paul gives that these individuals were ready to do whatever it would take to grow in their personal relationship with the living God. They wanted to know him, no matter what the cost, and they wanted to make him known, no matter how fierce the opposition. I also noticed as I was reading that Paul didn’t lump them all into one or two adjectives either, he had a unique word to speak about each of them. Some he called messengers, others faithful workers, he praised mothers and brothers, and told of some who ‘risked their necks’ to partner with him for the sake of the gospel. The question on my heart as I read these otherwise mundane verses was simply this: 

"Based on the way I am living my life right now, could my name be written here?"

My aim in asking this question is simply to remind our hearts that God specializes in using ordinary and average people to display the extraordinary and matchless worth of his name. The kingdom of God is being built through the lives of redeemed mothers and fathers and daughters and sons; through the hard work of plumbers, electricians and carpenters, through school teachers and taxi drivers, etc. God takes pleasure in transforming the world by way of transformed human hearts, and he wants to use otherwise average and ordinary people like us to do it. 

May we each set our course to be named among the faithful, striving to live even the seemingly insignificant moments of our everyday lives for the glory of our King. 

by Jeremy McKeen

One of the greatest lessons someone can learn is how to biblically handle money. Your use of money affects more than you may realize. The bible teaches that there is a direct connection between your spending and your spiritual growth. Jesus once told a parable about the importance of faithfully handling money. A manager had wasted his master’s possessions and knowing he was about to be fired, he quickly went to his master’s debtors and cut their debts by 20% and some by 50%. He did this so that he would have friends that would give him a place to stay (see Luke 16:1-13). Jesus provides this negative example to teach seven positive lessons that have the power to change your life.

The Principle of Stewardship

Notice, the manager in the story didn’t waste his own stuff; he wasted his master’s stuff. The reason that Jesus uses this example is because the bible teaches that you are not ultimately the owner of your money; you are the manager of God’s money. Every Christian is a steward of God’s resources that God has entrusted to him or her to mange. If that’s true, and it is, then the question a faithful steward asks is not, “What should I do with my money?” The question is, “What does my boss want me to do with his money?” This changes everything. When you understand and embrace this principle of stewardship it begins to completely change your perspective and approach to finances. Manage well.

The Importance of Focus

It took a crisis for the dishonest manager to realize that people were more important than the amount of money he had. Once he knew he was going to be fired, he became focused on making friends. Even though he went about it the wrong way, there’s a lesson to be learned here of what not to do. Don’t wait till a crisis hits in your life to get focused on the most important things. Imagine a guy who doesn’t care about God or spiritual things. He does what he wants in life, but then he finds out that he has cancer. Suddenly he starts seeking God and being generous to others. What happened? An intense focus came into his life. But it took a crisis to make it happen. This shouldn’t be the case. Be focused on what’s most important now.

The Wisdom of Foresight

When the manager saw the impending trouble, he didn’t say, “Oh well, who cares about tomorrow? The present is all that matters.” No, he immediately started thinking ahead. Jesus points out that if the world knows how to invest their money so that it has a greater return in the future, how much more should the Christian? In order to invest well now, you must factor in the eternity that lies before you. The teaching all throughout the bible is that the generous use of your money now will somehow be to your benefit in the world to come. It’s wrong to boast about tomorrow, not plan for tomorrow. Wisdom factors in the end at the beginning. So how can you invest now that will reap dividends in eternity? Think ahead.

The Value of People

The manager finally got it. People are more important than possessions. This is why Jesus said, “So I tell you make friends for yourselves with the means of money so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). Every good investor wants to put his or her money in something of value. Jesus couldn’t be any clearer. People are more valuable than possessions, so put your money into people. Don’t use friends to make money. Use your money to make friends. The most important things in life are not things. Invest in people.

The Test of Little Things

Jesus goes on to say, “If you’re faithful in little, you will be faithful in much.” You may think, “When I make more money, then I’ll begin to invest in spiritual and eternal things.” But the way to give tomorrow is to start giving today. What you do with a little is actually a test of what you’ll do with a lot. John D. Rockefeller, Sr., the great businessman, once said, “I never would have been able to tithe on the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.” Start small.

The Impossibility of Two Masters

Jesus goes on to say, “You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money.” Notice he doesn’t say you should not serve God and money. He says you cannot. It’s impossible. You’ve got to choose. At some point one is going to have to give way to the other. The lesson here is very important. Money has the potential to be a master that controls you and never fulfills you. But God is the master who when you serve him will always fulfill you. Serve God.

The True Steward of Heaven

Now, reading all this can inform you and maybe even inspire you, but the only thing that can redeem you and change you is knowing Jesus, the true steward of heaven. Jesus is the steward of heaven’s resources who came to his debtors not to cancel 20% of the debt or even 50%; he came to cancel the entire debt of sin at the cross by taking it upon himself. He came not to secure himself a home in the future, but to secure you a home in the future. Jesus perfectly managed his resources by giving them away to those in need. It is seeing the generosity of God in the gospel that transforms sinners into saints and takers into givers. The message of the cross is clear, “Freely you have received; freely give.” Take a lesson from God; give your resources away to people in need. For the way to live a rich life is by giving it away.

by Tom Brown

"the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him…” (Ps. 147:11)

The fear of the Lord is a perplexing concept for most, often evoking more confusion than worship. This is especially true when the Bible says that God, “takes pleasure in those who fear him." It might be helpful to know that “fear" in this verse is synonymous with the word “reverence." God’s pleasure is not derived from our anxious trembling, but rather from our reverent trust. But even the word “reverence” is an almost foreign ideal to our modern ears. So what does it actually mean to fear the Lord, to have reverence for God? 

Reverence for God is to be altogether convinced that he is greater than you in every way—that he is holy, perfect, and good at all times. We become reverent when we forfeit our suspicions and prideful assumptions about the character of God and instead allow his Word to define our perception of him. The heart-posture of reverence is formed through a growing understanding of the absolute supremacy of God.

To be reverent for God is to be convinced that...

His Word is sharper than my words. He speaks what I cannot speak. (Heb. 4:12)

His wisdom is greater than my wisdom. He knows what I cannot know. (Isa. 55:8-9)

His power is stronger than my power. He moves what I cannot move. (Job 38:4)

His compassion is humbler than my compassion. He loves those I cannot love. (Zeph. 3:17)

His faithfulness is sturdier than my faithfulness. He remains when I cannot remain. (Ps. 115:1)

His patience is kinder than my patience. He waits for what I cannot wait. (2 Pet. 3:9)

His timing is more perfect than my timing. He delivers when I cannot deliver. (Gen. 22:14)

His mercy is more sacrificial than my mercy. He withholds what I cannot withhold. (Jn. 1:29)

His grace is more lavish than my grace. He gives what I cannot give. (Eph. 2:7)

His will is more perfect than my will. He desires what I cannot desire. (Jm. 1:18)

In every way, my God is altogether holy. (Isa. 6:3)

In every way, my God is altogether perfect. (Ps. 18:30)

In every way, my God is altogether good. (Ps. 100:5)

This understanding of God’s holy character enables us to true humility. We no longer meet the various trials of life with an underlying suspicion against our Creator, a deeply rooted pride that believes we know better than God. Instead, with reverence in our hearts, we greet each passing moment with peace and thanksgiving, knowing that his sovereign will always means our greatest good, (Rom. 8:28). His Word offers the world countless evidences of his faultless nature and unwavering faithfulness. The Bible is chalked full of rich food to nourish and satisfy the souls of men. But the question for us today is not a question of knowledge, it is a question of worship. It is not enough to know information about God, to memorize facts and agree with ideals; if we are to have a heart of reverence we must believe these truths for ourselves, we must let the greatness of our God overwhelm our soul; we must worship.

Are you convinced of the holy, perfect, and good character of God? 

Are you convinced that God only and always does what is righteous? Are you convinced that though you are but one human being among billions, he knows the number of hairs upon your head? Are you convinced that no circumstance in your life is outside of his loving and watchful care? Are you convinced that he spoke the world into motion and upholds the universe by the might of his power? Are you convinced that his judgment is just, his mercy abundant, and his grace inexhaustible? Are you convinced that he is altogether greater than you in every way and worthy of your reverent worship? 

"the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him…” (Ps. 147:11) 

The pride of the human soul is melted by revelations of the glory of its Maker. Wherever his glory has been revealed his name shall be revered. 

by Tom Brown

"His Master said to him, 'Well done, my good and ________ servant.'" (Matt. 25:21)

Am I A Good Christian? 
We all want to know that we are serving God well, that we are being used to bring glory to his name and salvation to the lost. But how does a Christian measure their success? I don't mean to ask how we measure our salvation, we know that this comes through faith in the work of Christ alone. What I mean is how do we assess our effectiveness as "ambassadors for Christ" in this world? What does success in the christian life look like in the eyes of God? How do we know when we are really doing it? 

We are tempted to look at quantity.
Am I doing enough for God? Am I serving enough? Am I reading my Bible enough? Am I giving enough? 

We are tempted to listen to opinion.
What do people say about me? Do they like me? Do they think I am a good christian? 

We are tempted to rely on titles and achievements.
I am successful because I graduated college… I am a hardworking person… I lead a Bible study… I am a ministry leader at my church... etc. 

Not one of these are the proper measure of a Christian's service to God. They are simply unable to provide the heavenly approval we seek, no matter how diligently we search them out. For one thing, the work of God cannot be quantified according to the assessments of the world. There is no human yard stick or tape measure with the ability to calculate the worth of things like faith, hope, and love. Secondly, sinful humanity tends to view all of life with their own ends in mind, not the desires of God. This means that your good service to the Lord is likely to be frowned upon by the self-seeking world, and vice versa. The opinions of men are unavoidably fickle. And third, titles and worldly achievements are inevitably feeble. God’s love cannot be won or lost on a battle field of generals, it cannot be installed or removed through judicial systems or government elections, and there is no university or seminary in existence whose degrees provide the approving smile of the heavenly Father. We must not look at visible numbers and results. We must not listen to human opinions, (whether favorable or disapproving). And we must not rely on earthly credentials that are awarded through human institutions. No, none of these will do. So where then do we look? How can we know if we are serving the Lord well? What should every christian be aiming for?

Faithfulness Not Fruitfulness
There is much to learn from the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, but one particular lesson tends to escape us. When the Master returned from his journey and settled accounts with his servants his focus was not centered on their earnings. The recorded dialogue between each servant and their Master focuses on effort, not results. It is typical to think of the Master’s blessing as being linked to the increase each of the two successful servants procured; but in fact it is not rooted in their financial gain at all. Even the Master himself calls the money entrusted to them a very “little” amount. No, his words have nothing to do with their fruitfulness, rather they have everything to do with their faithfulness. “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” he says to them. His measure for their success was not what they could produce for him, but how faithfully each would attempt to fulfill the calling that he had given. 

This gives us a picture of what success looks like in the christian life. We are not laboring for impressive numbers, we are not striving to gain the applause of people, and we are not relying on titles and personal achievements. Our singular aim is not results, not fruitfulness, not popularity or productivity, not efficiency, not conversions, not church attendance or scripture memory. No, our singular aim is to be found faithfully serving our King. His measure of our success will be based on this one thing. 

Am I a good christian? Am I doing enough for God? Is God pleased with my service? The only right way to answer these kinds of questions is by asking another more important question: Am I being faithful to God? 

Faithfulness is what the Master sought from his servants and faithfulness is what God seeks from you. The fruit will always follow.  

by Tom Brown

The turn of the New Year is a time where resolutions are often made. We take vows to change, to improve and to grow. We make promises to ourselves, to our spouses, to our friends, and to God. As our goals are set and the race begins we often feel invigorated by the challenge. But soon defeat sets in and robs us of our joy, often turning us right back to the bad habits we had such high ambitions to overcome. It is a strange cycle that we tend to repeat, always striving to prove by our own strength that we are better than we actually are. In the end, we find that what is needed for real change is more than we can provide for ourselves.

Our resolutions are almost always huddled around the same central goal: Self-Improvement. We want to be a better version of ourselves, to be more kind and more patient, to eat healthier and hit the gym more frequently. We want to be better parents, and better employees, we want to be more neighborly and self-disciplined. We make resolutions because we want to change who we currently are into being more like who we wish we already were. But what I submit to you is that God has a better way of bringing about the changes we desire. It is not based on our promises, but rather on his. In Second Peter 1:4 we see a glimpse into the real power for change:

"...he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…"

If our goal is self-improvement what aim could be higher than to be a “partaker of the divine nature?” You see, God has loftier resolutions for your New Year than you do. It’s not that goals of diet and exercise are not important, it is just that God has even greater plans for our growth and joy. He intends to make us more like Jesus Christ, and his means for our transformation has nothing to do with the promises that we make. This text helps us see that it is the "precious and very great promises" of God that bring about real sanctification in the soul, not the promises and performances of his people. We often slip into a mentality that God is only fond of those who brim with success and determination, with productivity and good manners; but nothing could be further from the truth. 

For starters, such people do not exist. We are all weak and needy, lost without the grace of God. Secondly, the only people who have a right relationship with God are the ones who lean into who he is, and what has has done for them through his Son, not those who rely on themselves. No one has ever worked their way into God’s love through resolutions of self-improvement and personal determination. It is only by the blood of Christ, shed for underserving sinners, that humanity has hope for reconciliation with their Heavenly Father. The most "precious and very great promise" of all is God’s promise to pardon and save anyone who would repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Christ.

If you would make any resolution this year, resolve to stop making promises to God and to start trusting more wholly in the promises he offers to you. The real power for change does not come from within yourself, but from God alone. You cannot claim a promise that you do not know, so I urge you to make a plan to meet with God every day. Feast on his Word and discover the “precious and very great promises” he has given to those who believe, “so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” being transformed into the incredible person God designed you to be. 

by Jeremy McKeen

The Bible, as the very word of God, is the most important resource for life and should be read and studied regularly. Yet, you probably already knew that. What alludes a lot of people is having a Bible reading plan that works around their changing needs and schedule. For most people, life moves too fast and changes too quickly to be able to keep up with checking several boxes a day from different books. And besides, the Bible was written to be read as one story made up of several books, not skimmed for quick inspirational one liners or like a collection of Aesop's fables with no connection of the parts to the whole.

Therefore, this Book by Book Reading Plan was developed for you to read the Bible at your own pace while going through it a book at a time. It's also arranged by a spiritual theme for each month. This is important. For instance, when you really need to find strength to persevere through a time of suffering, there's a whole month of books specifically arranged for that. When you need to be motivated unto good works, there's a month for that. You can read from whatever month that fits your spiritual needs and keep track of the books you've read and still need to read for the month and year. It still requires discipline to do all the reading, but the plan works around your schedule and the circumstances you are facing in life. Give it a try and experience the blessing of being regularly in God's word in a way that works for you. 

by Tom Brown

Do you ever feel like it is impossible to please God? Do the commands of the Bible feel like hair-splitting regulations that only inhibit your joy? Are you so beat down by trying to live up to God’s standards that you just want to call it quits? Do you feel boxed up? Closed in? Setup to fail?

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” (Matt. 11:28-30). Jesus says that Christianity isn’t a cumbersome load of obligations for you to fulfill, but rather a relationship where your soul will find rest. But if this is true, why does it often feel like the opposite? 

Just before the passage quoted above, Jesus says, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children…” (Matt. 11:25). What are “these things” that are “hidden?" He is speaking about the way of salvation for sinners. In this text Jesus is intentionally contrasting two common ways of relating to God. The first is the way of the “wise and understanding,” and the second is the way of the “little children.” In short, the comparison is between those who, through their own effort, are attempting to earn a prize, and those who through no work of their own are simply receiving a free gift. In this differentiation, the "wise and understanding" are striving to work their way to the top, and the "children" are simply glad recipients of the blessing of the Father. Which of these sounds most similar to the way you think of your Christian life? Would you say you are striving to earn or resting in what you have freely received? 

What was “hidden" from those trying to get to God on their own was the truth of the gospel, the one message of salvation for sinners. The gospel is the good news that the crushing yoke of our sin has been carried for us by another. Jesus took our yoke upon himself, and offers us his own. He took the full penalty for your sins and offers the free gift of his righteousness. We receive this gift by grace, through faith, like, "little children.” As a child in a family has no need to earn their place, neither can God’s love be earned through any amount of effort we exhibit. The way of salvation is hidden from the “wise and understanding,” but is, “revealed to the little children." The reason that Christianity feels impossible to so many people is because they are attempting to carry their own yoke, a burden that is too heavy for them to bear. Instead of looking to Jesus as Savior, they look to their own strength and performance. It is no wonder why many turn away from the faith weary and defeated, it is because they have never truly turned to the faith at all. They have tried to come to God through their own righteousness, being their own savior and bearing their own yoke, but this is the exact opposite of what Jesus councils us to do. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…” Can’t you see that the impossible burden on your soul is not from God? The Lord is not demanding that you measure up on your own. He is not insisting that we atone for our own sin, or that we repay all our spiritual debts. Instead he is calling out, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Christianity is scandalously different from every other religion in the world because our God, the one true God, saves and preserves even his enemies through the shedding of his own blood. Christianity is not about what you can do for God, but rather it is about receiving what God has done for you. There are many duties in the Christian faith, many ways in which true believers are called to live lives that are pleasing to God; but there is no duty that precedes or supersedes our calling to obey the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to obey the gospel? It means giving up all efforts to save yourself. It means confessing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. And it means wholly believing and resting in Christ's finished work for you, as a “little child” rests in the arms of their father. It is only by taking the yoke of Christ upon ourselves that we come to see how deep is the Father’s love, and there only do we find true rest for our souls.

If you find yourself worn thin by trying to earn God’s love, STOP. You have nothing to offer to God until you have received what he offers you. Jesus is the Savior, and we are the saved. Believe in him.  

by Tom Brown

We are afraid to be honest. None of us are who we wish we were, who we know we should be, or as far along as we would like others to think. Sometimes we even trick ourselves into thinking that we have arrived, but life has a way of taking off our mask and revealing the truth beneath. We are afraid of honesty because honesty is exposure. When we confess our struggles, our fears, our depression, our anxiety, our addictions, our bad habits, our corrupt past… when we confess the things that are boiling in the belly of our soul we are afraid that our honesty will be our end. We tremble at the haunting question,“Who could love someone like me?” 

One of the thorns which our enemy has sewn into the side of humanity is a relentless pressure to never be a burden. We feel this pressure all too often, like when someone asks us, “How are you doing?” We fear being honest because we don’t want to be a burden. When we get together with family for the holidays and someone says, “How are things going in your marriage?” We somehow force our lips against their will and paste a smile on our face because we don’t want to be a burden. Or what about when we finally crack open the chamber of our heart and begin to let out some of the pain and confusion and despair, what are we always so quick to follow up with? “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be a burden.” This seems to be a service we offer one another, to bear up under our own load, to never ask someone else to play the hand we have been dealt, but does it actually serve anyone in the end? Aren’t we still feeling heavy laden and down trodden? Aren’t we weary of trying to make it through life on our own?

The world offers an enticing answer to the weary heart, “Think less on your problems and more on the good things in your life.” Having read this statement you may be thinking, "Ahh, yes, here is some sound advice!" But, sadly, no; this advice does not minister to the wound of soul that every human being carries, it only hides it. The world offers a bandaid to cover the hemorrhaging, but no true remedy to heal the injury. Instead of honesty with others, by calling out for help in time of need, the world says that we should actually increase our dishonesty by being dishonest even with ourselves. “Ignore your pains and your problems. What you need is a good night on the town! What you need is a new outfit! What you need is to get out of this marriage! What you need is a new car, or house, or job, or location, or…” The answer offered for the problem of pain by the world is dishonesty and entertainment. You know exactly what this looks like, especially if you have children. Have you ever had your little one bump their head or knee and begin crying, and because you were in a rush and needed a quick solution what did you do? “It’s okay Sweetie, here’s a cookie!” To be clear, I am not condemning this tactic for soothing children, sometimes a cookie is just the medicine we need. But are you letting the world offer you this same kind of remedy as an adult? God offers more than a bandaid and more than a cookie, he offers us true healing through the path of honesty.

Early in the Gospel of Mark Jesus says something to the Pharisees that has radically opened my eyes to the truth of Christianity. The Pharisees, who were trying to hide their own struggles through religious activity, saw Jesus associating with the lowest of lows in their town. Instead of the Son of God having dinner with them, (the religious elite), he was having dinner with people who were known to be thieves, and drunkards, and prostitutes. The Pharisees were flabbergasted at this because they thought, “Surely if this man is who he says he is then he would want to be with us! After all, we are the religious ones! We are the ones who have it all together!” Jesus heard them and gave a reply that I hope will resound in your heart. He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners,” (Mark 1:17). God doesn’t deal with the problem of our pain and sinfulness with naivety, but rather with full disclosure. What Jesus just said to the world is that the reason he came to this earth is because we need help. The God of heaven is not looking for people who are eating the world's cookies and wearing the world's bandaids, he is looking for people calling out in time of need, people who are willing to confess their sin and believe. 

When Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician…” he was making a very important point. He was not saying that some people don’t have problems and therefore don’t need God’s help. Instead, he was saying that only those who are willing to be honest and admit that they have problems will actually receive God’s help. It was a call to the world to stop pretending and to be true. And it was a promise to the world that when they do, God will provide everything they need through his Son, Jesus.