The Wake-Up Call

The gospel is not self-improvement. It is transformation, which is transcendent formation.

To follow Jesus is to be baptized in his baptism and to live on every word that comes from the mouth of God—starting with the bread of our belovedness. 

Jesus is not living his life for his Father's approval. He's living his life from his Father's approval. 

We . . . have come to worship him.

Jesus was born into his broken family so he could bring redemption into our broken family. 

As we read the New Testament more, we gradually come to recognize that we are all the “enemies” of God apart from the reconciling work of the gospel.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

As we encourage one another, we learn to speak to one another in the voice of God in the humble authority of Jesus in the loving power of the Holy Spirit.

As we fix our eyes on him, he transfuses his life into our life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hardships are a sign Jesus is about to promote you to the next level of entrustment in the kingdom of God.

The joy of the Lord is the revolutionary presence of Jesus Christ himself—in us—transcending our mortal bodies with his eternal life, presence, encouragement, perseverance, love, power, and all the possibilities this means.

When the Sovereign Lord is our strength, we are able to go from strength to strength, indeed even glory to glory, despite the most difficult trials and tribulations along the way—even because of them.

We should never forget in the days of darkness what we have learned in the days of light.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Attention shifts our souls from mere thoughts about God to dwelling in the presence of God.