I just finished my yoga practice and wanted to share some thoughts on God, family, abundant life, adventure, and technology.
This morning, I attended Bible study where we continued our discussion on John 17. We had two new faces join us, which was a blessing. In this chapter, Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and eventually, for everyone else. The prayer emphasizes the interconnectedness between God, Jesus, and us.
We also had an interesting discussion about destiny and how God knows who is chosen and who is not. An analogy was shared about a father trying to warn his daughter of a collapsed bridge ahead, just as God tries to guide us away from danger. God sees the entire story of our lives, while we can only experience the present moment.
The concept of sanctification, or being set apart, was also brought up. We want to be noticeable in the world, but that means we’ll inevitably make mistakes. It’s important to remember that we don’t need to be perfect to come to church or Bible study. We just need to be ourselves and have a desire for something more.
Our pastor once shared a beautiful message about the order of belonging, believing, and behaving. First, we belong to God and to a community of believers. Then, through that sense of belonging, we begin to believe. Finally, our behavior starts to change as a result of our beliefs. It’s a continuous process of making mistakes, remembering that we belong and believe, and striving to do better.
As we approach Good Friday, I reflect on the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. One was arrogant and challenging, while the other acknowledged his own guilt and Jesus’ innocence. Jesus promised the latter that he would be with him in paradise.
Thank you for taking the time to listen and consume this content. I hope it reminds you that you belong and can find a place among fellow believers to grow in your faith and let it transform your life.
If you’re in Hermantown, Minnesota, I invite you to join us next Tuesday at 6:30 AM at Valentini’s for Bible study. We’ll be wrapping up John 17 in a couple weeks but next week we’re sharing a special testimony about a homeless person and the blood. I’m excited to learn more!
You be blessed, and have a wonderful day!
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 3 Everyone Else (Me/Us?)
