1 John 1

On Tuesday, we finished John’s account of Jesus’ life, so I am going to begin reading through some of the letters John wrote to other Jesus followers. Today, I read 1 John 1. I invite you to open your Bible and read it too or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

1 John 1

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

My prayer for you is that you would have a healthy, on-going relationship with God. Confession is an important ingredient for maintaining the “healthy” part of the relationship ... it helps restore the intimacy that sin disrupts. Take a few minutes right now to ask God to search your heart and reveal any sin that you might be ignoring or trying to hide. Then, take some time to confess that sin and ask God to forgive your sin and renew your relationship.

In Over Your Head Part 1

This past weekend, Jonathan began a brand new series entitled, “In Over Your Head”, by talking about the fact that good people don’t go to heaven, forgiven people do.

Here is the verse/thought that stood out to me in the message...

Titus 3

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

4 But - “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

We can’t save ourselves ... only God can. Thankfully, He did ... through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. If you have experienced God’s grace, I encourage you to live in confidence today because God loves you and has taken care of the biggest problem you will ever face. If you haven’t, please email me (jeff@myeastside.cc). I would love to talk with you about how you can experience that same grace and live in that same confidence.

John 21

Today, I am read John 21. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

Here are the verses/thoughts that stood out to me...

John 21

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved - the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”

21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

Just before this, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times ... a process of restoring Peter from the three times Peter denied being associated with Jesus the night Jesus was arrested. Now, Jesus is teaching Peter one of the most challenging elements of following Him. Just like with Peter, Jesus offers us grace; but He also asks us to surrender ... to surrender our plans, our dreams. My prayer for you is that, like Peter, you will surrender to the plans Jesus has for you (trusting that His plans are better than your plans) and follow Him no matter where He leads you.