What do we do when we find out that we are not as strong as we thought, but we are actually weak? What do you do when you are faced with the realization that you are not capable of living up to your own standard of success and godliness and strength?

When we celebrate Advent we are celebrating the coming of the promised Messiah. Advent is a celebration of promises. And that’s because we ourselves are a people of promise.

“We will be glorified with Him, provided we suffer with Him” (Romans 8:17). In other words, there’s no glory without suffering, but there’s also no suffering without glory.

Jesus says that those who worship in spirit and in truth are “true worshipers.” So if we are going to fully understand what Jesus means, we have to explore what worship is, then we have to determine what it means to worship in spirit and what it means to worship in truth.

"...and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." - 2 Corinthians 5:15

Jesus taught us the truth to live by, and He showed us the way to live. He showed us the way and he taught us the truth. Jesus' call of Levi in Mark 2:13-17 gives us a glimpse of both of these methods of Jesus and how they inform our discipleship to Him.

Based on 2 Corinthians 3:18, my wife, Hayley, gave a talk to the women at our church encouraging them to be transparent with one another, to be transfixed on the glory of Jesus, and therefore be transformed.

When your future is secure, when your obedience is rewarded, and when even your pain is useful to God’s plans for the redemption of the world, you know what that makes you? Content.

So a little over a year ago I was able to share the Gospel at my grandmother's funeral. This video is only about 10 minutes long, but it contains the most precious truth that I know. It's funny how the most valuable treasure that I have is something that becomes even more precious to me the more that it's given away.