If most of us were asked, “Do you love Jesus?” I’m confident we would probably all answer “Yes. Of course!” Seems like a simple question for most believers, right?

Over the past 15 years of full-time Christian ministry, I’ve often been asked, “what is worship”. I’ve wrestled with the definition a lot. My theological training taught me that worship is ascribing to God the traits, words and actions that are His and express His deity. In other words, it’s recognizing what makes God, God and telling Him.

One of my Bible college profs took some time to point out to me that the Bible doesn’t spend much time arguing for the existence of God. Instead, He said, the Bible just assumes God’s existence. Now within Scripture are many proofs for why we can know God exists, but the Bible doesn’t spend much time arguing for it. It just assumes God’s existence and leaves the burden of proof on those who would try to disprove God.

At first I was a bit offended then worried then panicked then comforted.

unSEEN—Day #15

I have been fascinated by John 15 for about 10 years. It was spoken by Jesus less than 24 hours before he would stretch out His arms on a cross. As you read this passage count how many times Jesus says "remain."

The Greek term menō (men’-o) is aprimary verb: to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): – abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry.

Sometimes I really dislike what the Bible says.  Seriously.  Take 2 Corinthians 5:10 as a great example.  If you just read the following, you and I wouldn’t have much trouble:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body…

That seems relatively harmless, right?  Basically, if Jesus is your Savior, when you die you will appear before Him to receive your rewards for how you lived in this life.  This is not about eternal judgment, this about rewards for the life you lived.  Do well, receive more rewards.  Fairly straight forward.

Except for the four words at the end of the verse that I left off:

PROGRESS

Living for today but planning for tomorrow

Day 5 of 28 (start at day 1 by clicking HERE)

 Today is the only day we have. We don’t have yesterday so we can’t glory in that and we don’t have tomorrow. Take time today to feed your soul. Today is simple. Just a few verses to ponder. Just a few ideas to wrap our minds around. 

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

As disciples of Jesus, we can do nothing without Him. As you will see in today’s story- fishermen can’t even catch one lousy fish without Jesus.

John 15:7

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Jesus is concerned about the place His words have in your life. Do His words shape you, move you, and capture your heart? Do they motivate you? Compel you? His words have the power to transform us. Seriously. In the same way that a caterpillar is transformed into something radically different, God wants to transform you. He wants to make you into someone who asks and recieves because you have spent so much time with Him, and you listen to Him. It is because His words remain in you that you know what to ask for, and it is simply granted to you.

Words inspire us. They motivate us. They shape our culture. Today I want us to think about a very specific word, a wonderful word. It’s such a fun word. It’s used in a variety of ways. The word is- whatever. Here are a few "whatevers" from God’s Word.