Category: What do you think?

Understanding Identity in Christ Through Obedience

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AMY TURNER

When we hear God’s word but do not follow it, we lose sight of who we really are. James 1:23 compares this to someone who looks in a mirror and then quickly forgets their own face. It sounds strange, because most people remember what they look like after looking in a mirror. But James is making a deeper point—not about how we look, but about our spiritual life.

This verse warns us that simply listening to the Bible is not enough. If we do not act on what we learn, we become spiritually confused. Just like a mirror shows us our physical appearance, God’s word shows us who we truly are. But only when we live out what the Bible teaches do we stay rooted in that truth.

Obeying scripture helps us understand our identity in Christ. Without obedience, our faith becomes weak, and we forget our purpose.

Jesus said in John 14:23, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” Living by God’s word keeps us strong in faith and clear about who we are.

Love One Another: A New Commandment from Jesus

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AMY TURNER

In the final hours before His death, Jesus gave His disciples a powerful command. In John 13:34, He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” While the idea of loving others was already known in Jewish teachings, Jesus introduced something different.

This command was not just about kindness or good behaviour—it was rooted in a deeper connection. Much like a young man saying “I love you” in a wedding vow brings new meaning to familiar words, Jesus gave fresh depth to the call to love. He was forming a new bond with His followers, and this new relationship called for a higher standard.

What made His instruction new was the example He gave. The disciples were not simply to love in the way people normally do; they were to love as He had loved them—with sacrifice, patience, and humility.

Today, that same command applies to all who follow Him. We are called to love others in the way Jesus loves us. Isn’t this what we find in 1 John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Finding Peace in God’s Care

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AMY TURNER

Psalm 34:8–10 invites us to experience for ourselves how good God truly is. It tells us that those who trust in Him are blessed and cared for. The passage encourages all who honour God to trust that their needs will be met. Even strong creatures like young lions may go hungry, but those who look to God will not be left without what is truly good.

God understands exactly what we need, both for now and for eternity. He does not keep anything from us that would help our spiritual growth. While life may bring struggles, those hard times are never wasted—they are used by God for our eternal benefit.

David, who wrote these words, reminds us God’s people are always under His care. This does not mean we escape suffering, but it does mean everything we face has a purpose.

Philippians 4:19 tells us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” So let go of worry—our God is always good.

Feeding Your Soul: The Power of God’s Word

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AMY TURNER

Jeremiah 15:16 says, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” This verse gives us an unusual picture—not of seeing or hearing God’s truth, but of eating it. The prophet Jeremiah didn’t just read or listen to God’s words—he took them deep into himself, like food.

At first, this might sound strange, but it speaks to a deep truth. Our souls, just like our bodies, get hungry. The things of the world may keep us busy, but they don’t satisfy us for long. Over time, we start to feel empty, craving something real. That’s where God’s Word comes in. His truth feeds the heart, brings joy, and keeps us spiritually strong.

God’s voice fills the emptiness we feel inside. It helps us grow and keeps us alive in a deeper way. So don’t just hear the Bible—take it in fully. Let it be your soul’s daily bread. Let it satisfy you completely.

Finding Clarity in a Distracted World

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AMY TURNER

Many people today live under so much artificial light that they can no longer see the stars. In fact, I’ve been told that around 80% of people in North America can’t see the Milky Way at night. City lights and other man-made sources of brightness cover up the natural beauty of the sky. This is a powerful picture of what happens in our spiritual lives too.

We have created so many distractions that we are blinded from what really matters. But God’s Word is not like the lights of the city—it doesn’t hide the truth. Instead, it helps us see clearly. The Bible tells us in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s Word shows us the way to go and reveals what is true, even when everything around us is dark or confusing.

God’s voice cuts through the noise of the world and even the darkness in our hearts. His truth helps us walk safely and shows us what we could not see before: His glory. It has always been there—we just needed His light to see it.