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Two different paths, two different trees, two different confessions, and two different foundations…these four metaphors for the faithful life of discipleship and following Jesus are both awe inspiring and gut wrenching. They inspire us as they invite us into a life of powerful meaning and reassurance that God’s salvation conquers every sin and brokenness when we receive Him by faith. They are gut wrenching in that they remind us that we cannot come to God on our own terms. We can only come to Him by God’s grace through faith—believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again that we might have eternal life AND trusting Jesus with our lives by submitting to Him. There are two paths to choose from. One leads to life and one to death. We become one of two trees, either creating amazing fruit or just existing. There are two different kinds of confession. One agrees that Jesus is the Son of God and one shows allegiance to Him. There are two foundations upon which to build life. One is built on our own efforts and understanding, and it eventually falls apart. The other foundation is built on the goodness and power of God, and it lasts forever. We all have a choice to make by faith—what will your choice be?

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth.” Many of us have heard this powerful statement from Jesus, and most of us who follow Jesus agree with this in theory. The problem comes when we have to put it into practice. The issue is a matter of truly believing Jesus when He tells us that there are amazing things waiting for us on the other side of life on earth—things so amazing that they are beyond worth waiting for. The allure of having treasure on earth is so tempting that many are not willing to put those treasures aside for heavenly treasures. Rather than living generously we live with selfishness, greed, and fear. Rather than investing in others for the Kingdom of God we make our faith individual, private and reserved. Rather than looking for ways to serve and give of ourselves, we focus on what we get for ourselves. This short-term view of life sacrifices heavenly treasures, but it also misses out on the true and joyful abundant life that we can begin to experience now. What looks like treasure on earth isn’t even treasure—it traps us and disappoints over and again. True treasure can be had by faith, and it will never disappoint.

In grace, God gives us incredible and soul nourishing spiritual practices. Things like prayer, fasting, Bible reading, Bible and theological study grow our faith and understanding. They give us greater spiritual wisdom and greater spiritual strength. Sometimes we are prevented from embracing these gifts by getting hung up on how we should do them. While there are helpful tools for all of these, there is nothing more important than just jumping in and asking for God’s help. The one factor that determines spiritual success is making God the center of it all—we do these things with God, for God, and through God’s grace and power. The only way that we miss the blessing is to make anything other than God the center, whether that be our own pride, our own agenda and selfish desires, or the approval of others. When we seek God with our whole heart and desire Him above all else, He will be found and He will fill us with truth, love, and power for growth.

One of the most important spiritual questions that one can every ask is “How do I pray?” Jesus understood the great importance of this communication with God. Knowing the foundation of prayer for an abundant spiritual life and our need for instruction, Jesus teaches the right approach to prayer and the right model for prayer. Jesus first teaches us that prayer is about connection with God and dependence on God. It is NOT about the opinion or approval of others. It is all about connecting with God and should be approached with that goal. Second, Jesus provides a model for prayer—not a formula, but a model. Our prayer life, as a whole, should include adoration, submission, requests for God’s provision, confession, and a call for God’s protection. A prayer life that brings this to God with dependence and humility and that listens for the voice of God to speak to our hearts brings a powerful and impactful life through a deep connection to God.

Trust is lacking in our world. We live in a time and place where skepticism, doubt, suspicion, and protective measures are the standard, and with good reason. Commitments are easily made and easily broken. So, we live by contracts and overly exaggerated promises to ensure follow-through and ease suspicions. The first century version of this practice, during the time of Jesus, was the practice of making vows. People would vow by God, the heavens, the temple, or other powerful and magnificent elements of spiritual life. Jesus speaks against this practice, not only because it should be unnecessary for people who are committed to truth and honesty, but more because it assumes knowledge and sovereignty that humans do not possess. We know nothing of the future and what it brings. We can only make predictions and assumptions. This is not primarily an issue of our relationship with others but our relationship with God. We should not speak to future events and what we will do at that time. We should simply live with the commitment and trust that we will live faithfully and obedient to God whatever may come, trusting that God is the ultimate provider, rescuer, and judge in all times and all places. We cannot hold God or ourselves to a commitment made without ultimate knowledge or understanding but, rather, live with an openness to and dependence on God for tomorrow, knowing that He has all wisdom for all things.

The kingdom of God makes all things right. Because we live in a broken world, God’s kingdom sometimes feels like turning things upside down—the first is last, the servant is the leader, and the find life means a willingness to die to self. In the same way, the blessings of God can seem unfamiliar and illogical, but willingness to surrender to God’s calling leads to blessings that the world can neither give nor take away.

The church is more than a weekly gathering; it is a community that equips people for everyday discipleship. God designed the local church to form mature followers of Jesus who carry their faith into their homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. Our mission as members of a local church body is not simply attendance, but spiritual formation into mature followers of Jesus so that we can interact within the world as faithful witnesses of Christ in our work, relationships, homes, and communities.

Money and possessions are never just financial matters, but they are ultimately spiritual ones. In a culture shaped by greed and consumption, as believers we are called to live with generosity, wisdom, contentment, and faithful stewardship. God entrusts resources to us not only for personal comfort, but to serve others and advance His kingdom. Scripture challenges us to view wealth and success through the lens of the gospel, remembering that everything we have ultimately belongs to God.

Work is not a punishment but an important part of God’s design for humanity. Long before sin entered the world, God gave people meaningful work to do. Whether someone is a teacher, musician, parent, student, mechanic, nurse, or business owner, our work becomes holy when it is offered faithfully to God. When we are reminded that there is no division between the sacred and the secular, we begin to see that our Monday calling matters just as much as our Sunday worship and our labor can both glorify God and serve others.

God’s mission is bigger than church attendance or occasional acts of service. He is actively restoring broken people, communities, and systems—and He invites us to join in that work. In schools, homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, churches, or any other sphere of life, we are invited into God’s mission of renewal and reconciliation. Jesus gives us the commandment to love God and love others, so as followers of Jesus, we are called to live our lives as ambassadors of the love of God wherever God has placed us.

Many people struggle to believe in the spiritual world or in supernatural events because they are, most of the time, invisible to the human eye. While we may not be able to see the spiritual world all around us, we don’t have to doubt that it is present. The evidence shows up repeatedly. Feelings of unexplainable peace, protection through extraordinary circumstances, moments of personal transformation, and unimaginable miracles point us to a world that is present and unseen. God requires us to have faith as we follow Him. By definition, this is a hope and trust in the things that we do not see. But that does not mean that we cannot ask God for encouragement and even confirmation of His activity from time to time. Such was the case with Elisha and his servant. Facing the threat of a coming army, Elisha prays that God will give his servant encouragement and boldness by opening his eyes to the reality of the spiritual world around him. We don’t have to shy away from asking for spiritual eyes and encouragement when we need it as well.

As the first disciples of Jesus witnessed His resurrection and were filled with the Holy Spirit, the message of the Gospel began to spread, and the church began to grow. God accompanied their preaching with great signs and wonders. People continued to be healed, restored, and saved. Once again, political and religious leaders took note of this powerful movement, and persecution began to fall on the followers of Jesus. At this time, King Herod arrests Peter, one of the primary leaders of the church and disciples of Jesus. But God cannot be stopped! God miraculously saves Peter from prison by the appearance and rescue of an angel. Peter returns to the gathering place of some of his fellow disciples, and he knocks at the door. Even they cannot believe that Peter could be there, and they believe that it must be “his angel.” As we follow Jesus we must know that trouble will come and people will fight against the Gospel in many ways. But today, just like in the time of Peter and the first disciples, God will not be stopped. At times, we may even experience the miraculous and supernatural. Are we ready?

In 1 Samuel we have recorded the events of the life of King Saul. Saul was chosen by God to lead God’s people. He had the opportunity to faithfully serve God and lead according to God’s commands. Yet, time and again Saul allowed his fear of people to overshadow His fear of God. He was more concerned about success and the acceptance of the Israelites than obedience to God. Therefore, God told Saul that he would be removed from kingship and replaced by David, son of Jesse. This began a long assault on David, but David continued to succeed as a military and political leader, even as he was on the run from Saul. This leads Saul to a place of absolute desperation—he believes that he must now succeed at any cost, and the Philistines are pressing in on Israel, threatening the Israelites way of life and Saul’s kingship. Saul is prepared to do whatever it takes to get what he wants—even sin. God had clearly told His people NOT to consult mediums or the dead in any way. (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:11).  Saul is overwhelmed with insecurity and desperation as he faced a Philistine army, and he disregards the instructions of God—determining that the results will justify the means. He is successful in conjuring Samuel, but unsuccessful in getting what he wants. The spirit of Saul rebukes Saul and brings devastating news. It turns out that Saul cannot manipulate anyone and everyone to get what he wants. Pride really does lead to the ultimate fall.

Ezekiel trained and prepared to be a priest that served Yahweh before the people. This was a great honor and responsibility, and much sacrifice would have been made as he prepared to serve in this role. But when the time arrived for Ezekiel to serve, the temple was destroyed, and Ezekiel was exiled to a foreign land along with most of the Israelite people (Ezekiel 1). Ezekiel likely wandered if God would ever redeem His people. In this powerful vision, God encourages Ezekiel to know that God would indeed redeem His people. He would breathe new life in them. In the same way, we may wonder if God can and will redeem the brokenness and hopelessness that surrounds us. Like Ezekiel, we can be encouraged to know that God has promised to bring new life to all who look to Him. God has an ultimate plan (for His church and for the Jewish people). It involves bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ and restoring creation to all that it is intended to be. Regardless of how life may hurt and bring despair, we can hold on to hope.

Will this suffering have the final word? Suffering can feel loud and immediate. But it is not ultimate. The story God is writing is bigger  than this chapter. Hope anchors us in what is coming, not just in what is happening. When life is  hard, hope reminds us that the end of the story is restoration, renewal, and joy that cannot be  taken away.