Tag: John

We’re Often More Ready To “Be Blessed” Than “To Pay The Price”

Accepting authority can be difficult. There’s something in us that doesn’t like it because it means that we’re not in charge.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given by God to Jesus and that’s where we struggle. It’s easy to accept miracles and blessings but much harder to accept His authority in our lives. Why? Because it costs us.

Truth be told, we’re often more ready to “be blessed” than “to pay the price.”

Jesus confronted a large crowd following him one day with the same thing. Many left him. He turned to his disciples and asked them if they too wanted to go.

A man in silhouette with his arms spread cheering the good news of the gospel

The gospel is good news but it’s piercing – living and active – discerning the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

John 6:67-68

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

What do you want?

  • Mark Saunders

God’s Grace Will Carry You Through

Life is challenging but challenges can help us grow. The Christian life is certainly not without its own unique set of challenges.

Jesus did not tell us we would not have troubles rather he warned us in advance that we would. Not only did he warn us but he also made a way for us to face them…

Three times, the apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove a “thorn in his flesh.” The Lord replied only once. He said,” my grace is sufficient for you and my power made perfect in weakness”

Paul’s attitude changed. He stopped asking the Lord to take away the “thorn” and accepted that what he needed was to find God’s grace to carry him through.

He was willing to even accept his situation and “take pleasure in it” if it meant that power of God’s grace would rest upon him. He realized that when he was weak in himself then he was his strongest in the Lord.

This reminds us of the words of Jesus in John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NKJV)
  • Mark Saunders

A Place Of Grace And Truth

We all need help at some point. Someone truthful whom we trust and can turn to for help.

Being a follower of Jesus is not always easy. Jesus never said the narrow road would be. That’s why he sent the Holy Spirit – to help us follow Him.

The Spirit of truth will always lead us in the ways of the truth and draw us to Jesus. Why? Because we all need to be brought to a place of grace and truth.

Sunrays coming through the clouds represent the Holy Spirit

Grace doesn’t condemn us but truth does convince us and truth does convict us and then grace leads us to repentance and strengthens us to continue on the narrow road.

John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

  • Mark Saunders