Last week, we talked about following Christ in obedience. The benchmark of such is full surrender to all that God is asking you be and do. D. A. Carsons once said, “What, then, is the essential characteristic of the true believer, the genuine disciple of Jesus Christ? …His chief characteristic is obedience. The Father’s will is not simply admired, discussed, praised, debated; it is done!" Praise Him today… that by His grace He invites us to come to Him. God doesn’t want part

Charles Finney said, "All that is necessary for revival, all that revival really boils down to is a new beginning of obedience to God." “A new beginning of obedience to God” - every one of us that seek to follow Jesus, needs this! Thinking of our blog last week, Jesus linked obedience to love. He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Just as Jesus’ love for the Father was expressed in His obedience, so our love for Jesus is expressed in our obed

Do you remember the old-style British passports, which always had a space for ‘distinguishing marks.’ For me, I dutifully wrote, ‘None!’ Yet, the truth is, all Christians are marked "with the Holy Spirit", as Paul states in Ephesians 1:13. And if that sounds a bit strange for a distinguishing mark, here's a very simple and practical one. It’s found in John 13:35. Jesus says, "All people will know you are my disciples if you love one another." Let me ask you today, how we

Following Jesus is not an event, it’s a way of life! When Jesus invited someone to follow Him, He used the word 'akoloutheō'. When He spoke this word, He meant a continuous, lifelong, permanent commitment. It would mean to be in an up-to-date relationship with Him. J. I. Packer said, “Knowing Jesus Christ still remains as definite a relation of personal discipleship as it was for the Twelve.” He has to come first! The Christian life is a life of radical discipleship. Followi