Our missionary to Japan, Andrew Gonnerman, preaches from Psalm 23. Be reminded that the Lord is our Shepherd and His provision is perfect!
In Christ, I am not defined primarily by my past failures or achievements, my desires, my feelings, or my body.
Life is complicated and sometimes difficult. Even after we trust in Jesus as Savior, life can be full of confusion and uncertainties! As believers, we know that Jesus has called us to follow Him, but even that can seem tricky. See what it means to love and follow the Risen Lord.
In Christ, I am changing into His image.
We find the disciples in John 21 running back to their roots - what they know. Fishing is their home - their place to think, work, and be successful. Except they aren't. They fail. That's where we see that with the Risen Lord, we, like the disciples, have all we need to thrive in His purpose for us.
In Christ, I am a light-bearer.
Consider two scenes in this passage where Jesus appears to His disciples after the resurrection. They see Him and believe, but He nudges their faith even further by encouraging them to believe without seeing - to believe His Word.
In Christ, I am a citizen of God’s Kingdom.
In this passage Peter, John, and Mary all see something near the tomb that renews their hope. Jesus is alive. His Word is proved true. He turns our weeping to joy. Jesus is alive! Come and see. See Jesus the Risen Lord and believe!
In Christ, I am a member of Christ’s Body with grace to do my part for His glory.
What John unfolds for us in this text, is that as the Lamb of God, His finished work is good news for us! The work is done. We simply believe in the Lamb of God. Then we rest, we trust, and we worship.
Jesus displays the glory of God from the cross. Glory radiates through His torn flesh and bleeding wounds as He shows the world what God is like - what God does for sinners.
In Christ, I stand completely in God’s grace, my sin debt is canceled, and I have peace with God.
This passage is structured as a "coronation" scene. As Pilate and the Jews battle for power, Jesus is presented as the true King. He's worthy because He dies for our sins. Rather than competing for power, Worship Jesus the True King Who died for our sins.
What is truth? This is one of the prevailing questions of our day. What Pilate misses in this text is that truth is not a "what," it's a "Who." Jesus, the Truth, is King of the true Kingdom. On His way to the cross, He makes clear that the important battle is not between phony kingdoms, but between the King of truth and a world of frauds. Heed the voice of the King of truth.
In Christ, I am adopted as a child of God with all the rights and privileges of His Son.
While we were failing Jesus, He was not failing us. Jesus followed the Father’s plan to go to the cross to pay for our sins. He sacrificed Himself to provide the only way for us to be forgiven. So please, when you fail, come to Jesus to be restored.
We are completely insufficient and need to trust the One who is. This is what makes Jesus the perfect Savior. With His infinite strength, He willingly submitted to the Father's plan and laid down His life for us. Find salvation not by working, but by resting in Jesus. Rest in the saving strength of Jesus, who submits to the Father's plan.
In Christ, I am justified. Jesus takes my sin; I receive God’s righteousness.
Do you ever wonder why you exist? What is your purpose? You exist for a reason. And, you won't find joy until you know that reason, and live for your purpose. In fact, Jesus wants you to live for your glorious purpose. Listen and learn how you can participate in God's glorious mission, for you.