We all have GPS apps on our smart devices these days. Our phones, watches, tablets, and cars all tell us exactly how to get from one place to another. Modern GPS not only guides you from point A to point B, but also helps you avoid delays, hazards, tolls, and even warns of speed traps. Without a GPS, many of us would be left wandering around aimlessly in unfamiliar territory.
GPS today is similar to the ancient idea of a shepherd, guiding their flock to a particular destination and guarding them from traps and harm. But what happens if you don’t hear or understand the directions?
A lot of people find God’s leading confusing or indecipherable… and that can be extraordinarily frustrating. However the scriptures and Jesus Himself give straightforward instructions for clearly identifying the directions of our divine shepherd. The trouble is that typical religious thinking and indoctrination has clouded the issue and muddied the spiritual waters, making things more complicated and mysterious than they truly are. So today we’ll be cutting through all of that to see the where God is directing, without religion getting in the way.
Have you ever stopped to consider love? Most people think of love as an emotion. A warm feeling. But what is love, from a scriptural standpoint? How does the Bible define love?
Defining love is essential to understanding the manner in which God loves us, and how we are to show love to others.
Let’s jump in!
Last week we began to explore the topic of healing through the lens of Jesus Christ, and by looking at some truths about God as the healer.
Now today, with the basic foundational truths of healing in place, we will look at one of the accounts of Jesus healing the paralyzed man in Luke chapter five.
I’m going to highlight some details in the account that I believe God has shown me, and I hope that it will strengthen you to receive the healing that Jesus paid for you to have.
Healing is a fascinating topic in modern Christianity. Depending on who you ask, you might hear a range of perspectives from “healing is hogwash” to “oh it happens every day”
It’s easy to get emotional when discussing healing because we all know someone who has needed healing at one time or another, or we might even need healing ourselves right now.
Although the topic of healing evokes powerful feelings, it’s critical to not be driven by emotion, but allow the Master Healer to guide us in this realm… It is God Himself who identifies as our Healer, and later I will share with you some things I saw in the account of Jesus healing the paralyzed man in Luke chapter five.
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I invite you to take a few moments to consider a few details from these verses regarding the sufficiency and potency of Jesus’ completed sacrifice.
(this is a special five-minute meditation)
In last week’s study we began addressing the “elephant in the room” for many Christians: the topic of sin and how we as believer’s in Jesus Christ can truly find victory and defeat sin.