Category Archives: God

Love First: Obedience

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Jason

To put love first is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength while also striving to love your neighbor as yourself. This means that Love First is a word about obedience. Obedience is definitely not a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Mark 12, Obedience, Scripture | Leave a comment

A New Command

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Jason

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, God, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Leviticus 19, Love First, Love God, Love of Christ, Love Others, Scripture, Sermon on the Mount | Leave a comment

The Call is Constant: The Symmetry of Grace

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Jason

Jesus calls us to a deeply devoted, transformative type of following, one that is ultimately expressed in agape love for God and others. Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps along the way. Simon Peter knows this well. … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, God, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Repentance, Scripture, Theology | Leave a comment

Every Step An Arrival: Going Without Knowing

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Jason

In his book The Pastor, Eugene Peterson cites a Denise Levertov poem that closes with this line: “every step an arrival.” Levertov uses the phrase as a description of her development as a poet but her words fire my imagination … Continue reading →

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The Culture Wars and Engaged Alienation

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Jason

(Note: this is part of a series of posts based on some of the things I’m currently reading and reflecting on. Click here for part one.) For most of our nation’s history, a Judeo-Christian worldview could simply be assumed. You … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 13, 2 Corinthians 5, Books, Church, Devotional, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Scripture, Social Issues, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It Must Be Love

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Jason

I am blessed to serve as a part of the ministry staff for a great church. The shepherds of our church have spent the past several months in deep prayer and reflection. They have been earnestly seeking God’s will for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 13, Church, Devotional, God, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love of Christ, Love Others, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Own Heart: Secure

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Jason

And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought … Continue reading →

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God’s Own Heart: Token

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Jason

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his … Continue reading →

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God’s Own Heart: Anointed

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Jason

Saul’s disobedience prompts YHWH to reject him as Israel’s king. Despite the fact that he “looks the part,” Saul’s ineptitude as Israel’s spiritual, political, and military leader is demonstrated through a series of tactical blunders and moral failures. Tasked with … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Faith, God, Obedience, Scripture | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

God’s Own Heart: Jesse

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Jason

I’ve been studying the life of David lately and I’ve decided to do a series about him entitled, “God’s Own Heart.” For the past few years, I’ve been struck by something as I read the Bible: I have a hard … Continue reading →

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