"Be Encouraged," the podcast where we dive into the New Testament with heartwarming stories and uplifting anecdotes to inspire your faith journey.
Jesus icon episodes are audio files of "The Trust Of Christ-Volume 1."
Face 2 Face weekend episodes are short insights.
“so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” (John 3:15)In Him, we can trust there is eternal life. His empty tomb proves this. By trusting Jesus, we are joined to the One who already trusts Father. We are joined to His Trust. Receiving the only begotten Son of the Father is likewise receiving his sons. Father loved us way before we existed or sinned one sin. When we trust that we have! the life of God living us, we have eternal living. We have His Son having “Us.” We skip doubting His ability to live our living.Let Holy Spirit take control of your living.Jesus, all I can do is match my will to Yours. You want me. I want you. We have what we want. I do, too.
“If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” (John 3:12)Jesus could present the truth to the people of His day. Humanity was bereft of the ability to receive the truth. That is as true today as in Jesus’ day. What is this truth? God has saved humanity, or Jesus is the Truth. Jehovah has saved us in Christ Jesus. That is the truth! This truth most people ignore or reject. Why? Because they think they have to do things to get saved or stay saved. Your ability to trust Jesus’s work is enough.Jesus is the Truth. Jesus has saved you. This Truth has set you free.Father, this is Your will, that I trust the One You have sent, Jesus the Christ of history. I am free to receive Him.
“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.” (John 2:23)The name Jesus means “Jehovah saves.” To trust the name of Jesus is to trust He can do what His name implies. In the verse above, we learn that the people were matching up Jesus’s words and behavior. Because of this, they put their trust in His very person.Christ has set you free from distrusting God.Father, I watch, listen, chat with You, plead for many things, and rest in Your abilities to accomplish Your ends. I always praise You for the answer ahead of time. Your answers seem so natural.
“This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11)Think of it! Turning tap water into wine. The best wine. The most abundant and familiar thing transformed into a specific and unique experience. The only thing in common is that each could be drunk. So it is with us and the Christ. We are common, but when God’s angels gather us up to the King, we are transformed into Sons of God in every way. We have begun our eternal submission to Father’s will. We may miss a beat now and again in this life, but in the one to come, we will never be but obedient to His will.Exchange your will with God’s will.Let Your desires detach me from any thought or desire to serve anyone but You, Father. Have Your will. Have Your Way.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’” (John 1:50)What was Nathaniel doing under the fig tree? Years ago, I surmised Nathaniel was praying to see the Christ. No sooner had he prayed than he was introduced to the one who heard his prayer under the fig tree. For me, nothing else explained why Nathaniel instantly declared Jesus was the long-awaited Christ. Yet, as fantastic as that was, Jesus found the prospect of angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man far more amazing. Why? Because He knew He would have had to die and be resurrected for this to happen.Love transports our hearts into His resurrection.Letting me trust Your ability to keep me outshines, Your having saved me!