Category: What do you think?

A call to pursue holiness in the new year

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JEFF TURNER

When a new year begins, people take time off work to celebrate. They gather with loved ones for meals and write down goals that most will forget about later. For Christians wanting to focus their hearts on what matters most in the coming year, there is an important question to consider. What does God want for His people?

I believe God desires holiness for those who follow Him. He wants His people to grow in purity and become more like Christ. This is not just one priority among many. It is the central reason God gave believers the Holy Spirit.

Church leaders are given their role to feed and nurture God’s people toward this same goal. The apostle Paul wrote with deep emotion about his longing to see believers mature in their faith. He told one church he wanted to present them to Christ as a pure bride. He told another group that he felt like he was in labor pains, waiting for Christ to be fully formed in them. These were not casual wishes. They came from the core of his spiritual concern.

Shouldn’t every Christian pray for holiness in their own life and in the lives of other believers?

The True Meaning of Taking Up the Cross

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JEFF TURNER

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “If anyone wants to follow me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” He was not telling people to carry an actual wooden cross. Instead, He was speaking about the cost of true discipleship.

Some today think of “a cross to bear” as a personal hardship or illness. While those can be difficult, Jesus’ words went much further. In His time, everyone knew the cross was an instrument of execution. It was not a symbol of beauty or decoration but a sign of death and suffering.

When Jesus told His followers to take up their cross, He meant that following Him could require their very lives. This was a warning that loyalty to Him could lead to rejection, persecution, or even death.

Discipleship is not about comfort but about full commitment, even when the path is hard.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Luke 14:27

Living the Christian Life Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

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FLOYD ROGERS

Peter, James, and John spent three years with Jesus, watching His miracles and hearing His teaching, yet He told them they were still not ready for the work He had called them to do. They needed the Holy Spirit to fill them, guide them, and give them strength. Without that, they could not accomplish their mission.

The same truth applies today. Living the Christian life cannot be done in our own power. The Holy Spirit enables believers to face temptation, pain, and difficulties, as well as to serve in teaching, singing, and helping others. This requires a daily choice to trust and surrender to God’s Spirit, allowing Him to work in and through us.

I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him [a]bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Mercy That Never Grows Old

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AMY TURNER

Lamentations tells us that the love of the Lord does not come to an end and that His mercy is renewed every morning. His faithfulness is steady and sure.

People often look for God to do something unusual or to give a brand-new experience. We imagine that He might reveal something never seen before. But God often works in a different way. He does not need to invent something new each day to show His power. Instead, He may give us what is familiar, and make it fresh.

Each sunrise brings with it the reminder of His mercy. It is not a new kind of mercy, but it never grows weak or worn out. What He gives today is as full and alive as it was yesterday.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Peter’s call to Leave the nets behind

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JEFF TURNER

After Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, he was filled with grief. Later, after the resurrection, Jesus met him by the sea for a meal of fish. During that meeting, Jesus asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

The “these” likely referred to Peter’s old life. I’m speaking of his boat, nets, and fishing work. Jesus had told Peter to wait for Him in Galilee, but instead, Peter returned to fishing. His feelings of failure may have led him back to what was familiar.

By asking this question, Was Jesus challenging Peter to put his love for Him above his old way of life? He called Peter to leave fishing and devote himself to caring for God’s people. Three times Jesus repeated the question, and each time Peter answered, Jesus replied with a command to “feed my sheep” or “feed my lambs.”

This was not only a moment of restoration but also a clear call into ministry.

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

John 21:17