In this story in Mark chapter 10, Jesus redefines greatness. Instead of self-promotion, as Christians we're called to self-denial. It's a backwards kingdom where the first shall be last and the last shall be first, and, like Jesus, we're called to be servants. But service doesn't automatically make you a servant. Service starts with asking, "who should I serve?"

The story of the rich young ruler in Mark chapter 10 is one probably a lot of us have heard before. But even though this story might seem like it's about money, on a deeper level it's really about the idols we put above Jesus in our lives. Where religion says do, Jesus simply says follow. He wants your heart, not just a checked off list of followed rules. What idols are you putting above Jesus?

Sin is a serious problem that requires serious solutions in our lives. The story in Mark chapter 9 is one a lot of us know, regardless of if we grew up in church or not. But cutting off a limb just because we sinned isn't the point. Instead of taking this story literally, we need to examine our hearts, doing the hard work of cutting off things in a spiritual sense rather than getting out the machete. What do you need to cut out of your life in order to put Jesus at the center?

There's a reason we don't often see things happening in the spiritual realm—it's too close to our face. But spiritual warfare is a reality of being a Christian, maybe more so now than ever. Looking at the story of the demon-possessed boy in Mark chapter 9, this encounter teaches us some important things about fighting spiritual battles. When engaging in spiritual warfare, the right diagnosis is essential. A lot of the time, things are what they seem, but if something can't be explained by something like illness, addiction, or circumstances, it could be spiritual. Our faith can be small, but it has to be dependent on God—in all circumstances, but for sure when it comes to fighting spiritual battles. And our biggest weapon in this fight? Prayer. In the war for our souls, you are a soldier for Christ.

All the way back to the Old Testament, God is jealous for his people. But as a fallen people, we tend to give our love and adoration to things that are far from God, namely ourselves. The places we put our love, these "broken cisterns," leak slow, but they always leak dry. Whether it's an addiction, another person, a platform, wealth, your job, or something else entirely—choosing a different cistern other than God breaks his heart. The Gospel isn't an "I have to" situation, it's an "I want to." Is that what your relationship with God is like going into this new year?

If you could watch back the film of 2020, what would you change? This year has been a tough one, but that doesn't mean we can't learn from the challenges and go into the new year stronger. Together, let's run the race of 2021 with endurance, keeping our eyes on the eternal prize.

It may not feel like Christmas as usual this year, but that doesn't make God's coming to Earth in the form of a baby any less special. In a year where there wasn't a lot to celebrate, together let's rejoice that our Savior is still born.

The story of Jesus's birth in the book of Matthew shows us how Jesus's birth was the ultimate answer to the world's biggest problem: sin. Though the Jewish people waiting for a savior anticipated that Jesus would be a warrior who would defeat their enemies, in this account we learn that Jesus wasn't the Savior they (or we) expected, but the Savior we needed. He enters into our mess and takes on humanity—becoming like us in a way no other savior has before or will again. Maybe Jesus isn't the Savior we wanted, but he's the Savior we need, that first Christmas, and every Christmas since.

The little town of Bethleham represents redemption—in Jesus's time, and in the generations that followed. Jesus came from a family that was anything but perfect, and we need only look at the story of Ruth to find that truth. But that lineage, though imperfect, is so redemptive. The simple facts of where Jesus came from shows us, without a doubt, that the baby born in a manger is still redeeming our past, present, and future.

Jesus sends us all an invitation in this second half of Mark chapter 8. That invitation? To come and die. It's not a pretty invite, and it's one the local church has started to ignore with more and more frequency. But though this invitation isn't wrapped with a bow, it is a necessary one if we're to truly be followers of the risen Christ. With this invite Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow him. The only way to truly follow Jesus is to die to self. Will we unashamedly accept this invitation to die, and in doing so, enter into more life than we could ever imagine?