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By the Sea of Galilee, Jesus meets His disciples once again, not with condemnation, but with grace. He restores Peter after his greatest failure and calls him to a renewed purpose: 'Feed My sheep.' This story reminds us that no failure is final with God. When we fall short, Jesus meets us where we are, restores us in love, and calls us to follow Him with purpose.

After the resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples, including Thomas, who wrestles with doubt. Instead of condemnation, Jesus meets Thomas where he is and invites him to believe. In the same way, Jesus is patient with our doubts and calls us to faith, even when we cannot see with our own eyes.

The story of the empty tomb in John’s gospel is one of re-creation with hints back to Genesis and John 1. The Risen Christ sees Mary just as she is and loves her. The Risen Jesus sees all of us, too, just as we are and offers to re-create us with resurrection life. This is the fulfillment of God saving the world through his Son and not condemning the world.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey knowing full well he would trigger the religious and political authorities. Jesus’ mission required him to demonstrate incredible courage regardless of the reactions of others. He is Lord, the absolute authority over all things. The question is, does he have all authority over you, too?

The story of Lazarus teaches us that God seldom meets our expectations but instead fulfills our greatest hopes. His timing is not our timing nor are His ways our ways. But He is faithful always, He is worthy to be praised, and He is a safe place for us to put all our hope.

Jesus heals a blind man starting him on a journey of discovery that will last for eternity. The Pharisees show themselves to be the blind ones, as they were well-versed in their scriptures and their laws but they were far from knowing the God of creation whose heart is full of love and light. As Christ followers we must cling to Jesus rather than become like the Pharisees who valued knowing about God more than walking with God.

Those who are “born anew" lock their focus onto the crucified and resurrected Christ who now dwells in us by the Holy Spirit. Our life starts to look like the life of Jesus: we are daily crucified as we pick up our cross and follow him, but we are also daily resurrected with life, love, and joy. We are immersed (“baptized”) into the life of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When this happens, we have “entered the kingdom of God” that Jesus speaks about.

Three times Jesus was tempted by the devil and three times Jesus came out on top. Overcoming temptation and hardships is possible in our lives because Jesus rewires our core and makes us new. Our lives become distinctive and intriguing as we overcome common hardships and temptations in a way that gives hope to others.

God’s generosity is not meant to stop with us — it is designed to flow through us into the lives of others. When we trust His provision and sit at His table, our hearts are transformed from fear and scarcity into joy and abundance. Generosity is both a response to what we’ve received and a witness to the world: when we give, lives are blessed, needs are met, and thanksgiving rises to God. In a culture that clings tightly, God calls us to live open-handed, confident that He will provide for today and multiply what we offer for His Kingdom.

God’s table is more than a place to eat; it’s where His kingdom comes to life. At the table, walls come down, outsiders find belonging, and broken lives begin to heal. Every seat we open and every meal we share becomes a powerful reminder that God’s welcome is wide and His love is abundant. The table isn’t just about food, it’s about reflecting the heart of Jesus to a world hungry for hope.

In a world that never stops telling us we need more, Jesus reminds us that we already have enough in Him. Worry drains our hearts, but trust restores our peace as we remember the God who feeds the birds, clothes the lilies, and calls us His children. Gratitude grows when we release our grip on tomorrow and rest in the Father’s faithful provision today. At His table, there is always more than enough.

If you show me your friendships, it will reveal the direction of your life. The community you choose could be the difference between living in darkness or living in light. We first must enter into fellowship (koinonia) with God, and that fellowship will ensure that we live in the light of truth. It is a beautiful thing when groups of people fellowship with God and enter into fellowship with one another. Sometimes this means we have to search for a new community that can help us live into the light.

When we love something or someone, we are eager to talk about it. How often do we talk about Jesus and the things of God? If the answer is very little, maybe it is because we love the things of the world more. Many of us within the church have left our first love in pursuit of lesser things. Just before Jesus’ crucifixion, the Bible tells us that even Peter loses his love for Jesus as he denies him three times. Distraught and defeated, he and the disciples go back to fishing after Jesus’ death. When Jesus shows back up on the beach, Peter is quick to join him. Jesus reinstates Peter by asking him three times if he loves him. Jesus reminds him that their love for one another can be renewed. If we renew our love for God, it will play out in loving God’s people.

God has created each of us with a plan for our lives. We are his handiwork, and he longs for us to take part in the good work that he has for us to do. In order to come alive to this plan for our lives, we often have to die to the way we used to live. In the book of Acts, we learn of an interesting character named Saul who is persecuting the early church. He does it with zeal. He lives for it. But then, Saul encounters Jesus along the road to Damascus and he is miraculously transformed. His purpose is renewed as he no longer is hunting down Christians, but becomes a church planter and writes the vast majority of the New Testament letters.

As we step into a new year, join us as we explore what it means to experience renewed belonging through grace. Looking at the story of David and Mephibosheth, we see how compassion reaches someone overlooked and restores them to a place of honor. This powerful moment points us toward the heart of Jesus, who invites all to the table with open arms. The good news is simple and hopeful: no matter where you’ve been or how you feel, you are part of the story and you belong.