Leaving Laodicea

It seems that one of the greatest blessings in the Christian life is found in being "in Him" (Col. 1:15-18).  After all, Jesus has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6).  "Where and when did this take place?" we ask.  Look at the last few words.  We are "raised up together, and made to sit together in the heavenly places— in Christ Jesus"  How?  In Christ Jesus.How can we know we are in Christ?How can we experience being in Christ?And how can we celebrate being in Christ?To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on being "in Christ".

Sometimes the Lord moves us from a place of marginal fruitfulness or limited success to a place of profound fruitfulness— and we often view it as a retreat, a failure, something akin to running away.  Yet nothing could be further from the truth.It seemed Jesus faced one confrontation after another during His short ministry in Jerusalem.  In fact, some would call His efforts marginally fruitful, at best.  But when He withdrew "beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing first" (John 10:40), everything changed.  Many believed in Him (John 10:42).Do you know why?  Have you figured out the great lesson for us in what Christ did by leaving Jerusalem and going back to a place of good memories?  If you're not sure, then keep listening.This is a study on John 10:33-42.

Sometimes the Lord moves us from a place of marginal fruitfulness or limited success to a place of profound fruitfulness— and we often view it as a retreat, a failure, something akin to running away.  Yet nothing could be further from the truth.It seemed Jesus faced one confrontation after another during His short ministry in Jerusalem.  In fact, some would call His efforts marginally fruitful, at best.  But when He withdrew "beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing first" (John 10:40), everything changed.  Many believed in Him (John 10:42).Do you know why?  Have you figured out the great lesson for us in what Christ did by leaving Jerusalem and going back to a place of good memories?  If you're not sure, then keep listening.This is a study on John 10:33-42.

There is a passage found in 1 Corinthians where the Lord Jesus is explaining the unity of His church, His body, by showing the many members of the body, the church, are actually one in Him.  Consider the following:For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ (1 Cor. 12:12).But the phrase that stopped me cold in my tracks is, "so also is Christ."  What does that mean?Is Christ saying that He and His church are one?Is Christ saying that He cannot be separated from His church?Is Christ saying that He is His church?  That they are united as one like He is with His Father?To find out more, keep listening.The following is study on the Body of Christ.

There is a passage found in 1 Corinthians where the Lord Jesus is explaining the unity of His church, His body, by showing the many members of the body, the church, are actually one in Him.  Consider the following:For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ (1 Cor. 12:12).But the phrase that stopped me cold in my tracks is, "so also is Christ."  What does that mean?Is Christ saying that He and His church are one?Is Christ saying that He cannot be separated from His church?Is Christ saying that He is His church?  That they are united as one like He is with His Father?To find out more, keep listening.The following is study on the Body of Christ.

When Jesus said, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30), He revealed truth so exciting and profound that we dare not overlook it.  When Jesus spoke these powerful six words, He was proclaiming that "All that God is, I am, and all that I am, the Father is."  Again, "I and My Father are one."But what does this mean?  No, not just theologically, but devotionally.  What does this truth mean to me and my everyday, intimate relationship with the Father?  What does it say about what the Father is like?  About His attributes, personality and characteristics?  What can I know about the Father from Jesus?The answers will change the way you live and pray... forever.  To find out more, just keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:30.

When Jesus said, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30), He revealed truth so exciting and profound that we dare not overlook it.  When Jesus spoke these powerful six words, He was proclaiming that "All that God is, I am, and all that I am, the Father is."  Again, "I and My Father are one."But what does this mean?  No, not just theologically, but devotionally.  What does this truth mean to me and my everyday, intimate relationship with the Father?  What does it say about what the Father is like?  About His attributes, personality and characteristics?  What can I know about the Father from Jesus?The answers will change the way you live and pray... forever.  To find out more, just keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:30.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition (or, self-interest, rivalry) or conceit (or, empty pride, haughtiness), but in lowliness of mind (or, humility, meekness) let each esteem (or, value, consider, honor, treasure) others better (or, over and above) than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests (or, for himself), but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4).Is it really possible to live like this?  And, if so, who has ever done that?  I don't know of any church or any Christian who meets this standard, do you?  I mean, who can we look to as our example?  Did Christ leave us a model or a prototype of a church that truly looked "out not for their own interest, but also for the interest of others" (Phil. 2:4).Where can I go to see this kind of love fleshed out in real life?  The Scriptures give you the clear answer.  Just keep listening.The following is a study on Church Unity from the Book of Acts.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition (or, self-interest, rivalry) or conceit (or, empty pride, haughtiness), but in lowliness of mind (or, humility, meekness) let each esteem (or, value, consider, honor, treasure) others better (or, over and above) than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests (or, for himself), but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4).Is it really possible to live like this?  And, if so, who has ever done that?  I don't know of any church or any Christian who meets this standard, do you?  I mean, who can we look to as our example?  Did Christ leave us a model or a prototype of a church that truly looked "out not for their own interest, but also for the interest of others" (Phil. 2:4).Where can I go to see this kind of love fleshed out in real life?  The Scriptures give you the clear answer.  Just keep listening.The following is a study on Church Unity from the Book of Acts.

One of the most theologically packed words spoken by our Lord is found in John 10:27-30 where He says:"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one."In these few words of Jesus we find the doctrines of grace, election, the state of the lost, the effectual call, salvation, regeneration, sanctification, eternal life, eternal security, the perseverance of the saints and the trinity.  It's a literal treasure trove of truth given as a gift to each of us.Want to know more about this gift?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:22-30 and the importance of meditation.