Bystander, part 5: Open Eyes

There are many products that we buy, use, and put our confidence in without having all the information or fully understanding how they work. In the gospel of John, we see a man begin to follow Jesus based on limited information. This man, who was born blind, said he only knew one main thing—and that one thing was enough to make him curious about who Jesus really was. March 21, 2021

Bystander, part 4: Lunch and Learn

Perhaps one of the most famous signs performed by Jesus is feeding over 5000+ people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Those that followed Jesus thought he was finally getting to the point of what he could do for them. They were more enamored with the signs instead of what the signs were pointing to. March 14, 2021

Bystander, part 3: Carry On!

Just outside of Jerusalem, Jesus performed a miracle that changed a man’s life forever. For 38 years, this man was unable to walk, but when Jesus said, “Get up,” he was healed. However, it’s what Jesus said next that made this miracle a clear sign of who Jesus really was. March 7, 2021

Bystander, part 2: Living As If

In order to demonstrate who he was, Jesus performed a number of miracles—which the apostle John referred to as “signs.” The first of those signs was at a joyous occasion where Jesus turned water into wine. The second sign was in the midst of a heartbreaking circumstance in which a father desperately asks Jesus to heal his dying son. February 28, 2021

Some Assembly Required

We all want to be a part of something bigger than us. Perhaps you’ve considered volunteering, but you just weren’t sure your small contribution could make a real difference. Rich Barrett shows us that every little bit, when assembled together with others, can make a tremendous impact that goes far beyond our individual contribution. February 14, 2021

Money Talks, part 3: Keep Track

It’s easier to keep track of something than to catch up with it. That’s especially true of our money. If our money could talk, it would say, “I’m easy to track, but lose track of me and you will lose your peace of mind.”

Regardless of our income, we should pay close attention to where our money goes. Not because we have to, but because it’s in our best interests to. If we don’t—to borrow a phrase from Jesus—we likely will fall into the rut of storing up for ourselves treasure on earth. And that could very well become a source of embarrassment later. We should all be knowin’ where our Master’s money is goin’. February 7, 2021

Money Talks, part 2: Send Me Away

Are you mastering your money or being mastered by it? Maybe it’s time to flip the script. Instead of striving to have enough money to satisfy a me-first appetite, Jesus encouraged his listeners to have an others-first approach.

Just like an appetite that will not be permanently satisfied, having a me-first mentality about money will always be a temptation. But when we have an others-first approach with our money, we practice self-control and self-denial. When we do that, we can find ourselves living in sync with our heavenly Father, who wants us to not be mastered by our money. So do you have money, or does money have you? January 31, 2021

Money Talks, part 1: I Mean Well

If our money could talk, what would it tell us? You might be shocked to find out that what our money would say is pretty close to what Jesus did say—and what we should still consider today. Does our money add meaning to our lives or is it the meaning of our lives?

If you choose to live for yourself, you’ll only have yourself to show for it. Spend some time wrestling with one thing that breaks your heart—something that perhaps you can be a means to helping. What step can you take to move in that direction. January 24, 2021