Eyes to See Jesus Ephesians 1:17–18 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers... Imagine becoming so accustomed to encountering Jesus that you cannot stop seeing grace. You see God at work in the person everyone el

Train Your Eyes Philippians 1:9–11. This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God. Paul's prayer for the Philippians' future is fascinating. He

Change Your Posture Acts 9:1–18 Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Sa

You Don't Have to See the Whole Road Philippians 1:6 I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. We like vision to mean having a clear picture of the future. Where am I going? What's going to happen? What will my family look like five years from now? What about my career? My church? My relationships? We want God to show us the road. But Paul doesn't know the future of the Philippian church eith

Remember Who Started the Work Philippians 1:3–6 I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. When Paul thinks about the church

The Garment Is Love 1 Corinthians 13:1–3 If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit wha

Put On Christ Romans 13:13–14 Let’s behave appropriately as people who live in the day, not in partying and getting drunk, not in sleeping around and obscene behavior, not in fighting and obsession. Instead, dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires. The most important detail about the wedding garment is this: The guest was not expected to provide it himself. The host provided what was necessary. That changes the entire meaning

You Can’t Sit at the Table Without Belonging Romans 12:4–5 We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. In Jesus’ world, eating together meant something. Who you ate with told people who you belonged to. The same is true in the parable. The wedding garment was not merely about looking nice. It represented association with the co

Too Busy for the Feast Matthew 22:4–5 Again he sent other servants and said to them, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, the meal is all prepared. I’ve butchered the oxen and the fattened cattle. Now everything’s ready. Come to the wedding party!”’ But they paid no attention and went away—some to their fields, others to their businesses. Some of the invited guests did not refuse because they hated the king. They were simply occupied. One went to a farm. Another went to

There Is a Place for You Matthew 22:1–10 Jesus responded by speaking again in parables: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding party for his son. He sent his servants to call those invited to the wedding party. But they didn’t want to come. Again he sent other servants and said to them, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, the meal is all prepared. I’ve butchered the oxen and the fattened cattle. Now everything’s ready. Come to the wedding party!”’

Jesus Is in the Room Matthew 18:18–20 I assure you that whatever you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. And whatever you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven. Again I assure you that if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, then my Father who is in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.” “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” We often hear those words as reassuran

Reconciliation Is Not Permission Romans 12:17–18 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good. If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Those words contain an important qualification: If it is possible. Jesus takes reconciliation seriously, but Matthew 18 is also realistic. Sometimes a person ref

You Have Gained Your Brother Matthew 18:15–17 If your brother or sister sins against you, go and correct them when you are alone together. If they listen to you, then you’ve won over your brother or sister. But if they won’t listen, take with you one or two others so that every word may be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses. But if they still won’t pay attention, report it to the church. If they won’t pay attention even to the church, treat them as you would a

Tell the Truth Matthew 18:15 If your brother or sister sins against you, go and correct them when you are alone together. If they listen to you, then you’ve won over your brother or sister. “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out their fault.” Jesus doesn't say, Ignore it. He doesn't say, Pretend it didn't hurt. He doesn't say, If you were more spiritual, this wouldn't bother you. He says, “Go.” Sometimes Christians confuse peace with the absence of conf

Because Losing People Matters Matthew 18:10–14 “Be careful that you don’t look down on one of these little ones. I say to you that their angels in heaven are always looking into the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If someone had one hundred sheep and one of them wandered off, wouldn’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillsides and go in search for the one that wandered off? If he finds it, I assure you that he is happier about having that one sheep than

The Cross Is the Way Luke 9:23–25 Jesus said to everyone, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me. All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will save them. What advantage do people have if they gain the whole world for themselves yet perish or lose their lives? Pilgrims need a direction. For Christians, that direction is ultimately revealed in Jesus. We may not know e

You're in the Story Hebrews 11:39–12:2 All these people didn’t receive what was promised, though they were given approval for their faith. God provided something better for us so they wouldn’t be made perfect without us. So then, with endurance, let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer

Remember So You Can Keep Going Psalm 77:11–14 But I will remember the Lord’s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. I will meditate on all your works; I will ponder your deeds. God, your way is holiness! Who is as great a god as you, God? You are the God who works wonders; you have demonstrated your strength among all peoples. Pilgrims remember differently than tourists. Tourists preserve memories so they can look back and say, “I wish we could g

You Don't Need the Whole Map Hebrews 11:8–16 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived in the land he had been promised as a stranger. He lived in tents along with Isaac and Jacob, who were coheirs of the same promise. He was looking forward to a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah received the a

Tourist or Pilgrim? Hebrews 11:8–10 (CEB) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived in the land he had been promised as a stranger. He lived in tents along with Isaac and Jacob, who were coheirs of the same promise. He was looking forward to a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. We live in a world built around exper