Category: What do you think?

Active Demonstration of Faith in Everyday Life

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Faith is more than a passive belief; it requires active demonstration through compassionate actions and genuine commitment to living out one’s spiritual convictions.

In the early Christian community, believers wrestled with understanding the true nature of faith. The core message emphasizes that authentic faith is not merely an internal declaration, but a transformative force that compels individuals to serve others and embody Christ’s teachings. As illustrated in the biblical passage from James, faith without corresponding actions is essentially lifeless—comparable to offering empty words of comfort to someone in desperate need without providing tangible help.

The Bible gives us examples of faith in action: Abraham, who demonstrated his trust in God by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, and Rahab, a woman who risked her own safety by protecting messengers. These stories underscore that genuine faith goes beyond intellectual assent and manifests through courageous, selfless deeds that reflect a spiritual transformation.

True faith is dynamic and externally visible, not confined to private thoughts or isolated spiritual experiences. Shouldn’t we move beyond passive religiosity and embrace a holistic spirituality that integrates belief and action?

The Significance of Jesus Birth in Bethlehem

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

The story of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem gives us some theological insights about God’s divine plan and grace. In the small, unremarkable town of Bethlehem—whose name means “house of bread”—God chose to bring forth His most significant promise: the birth of the Messiah.

This humble village, too small to even raise an army, became the birthplace of Jesus Christ through divine intention. God deliberately selected an obscure location to demonstrate His power, showing that His greatest works often emerge from the most unexpected places. The choice of Bethlehem highlights God’s ability to use the weak and insignificant to display His extraordinary glory.

The prophecy by Micah, delivered 700 years before Jesus’s birth, foretold a remarkable event where the eternal ruler would emerge from this tiny town. This ruler would not come from a grand city, but from a place of humble origins, symbolizing that God’s salvation is accessible to all, regardless of social status or perceived importance.

God’s selection of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus shows us a fundamental truth about divine grace: salvation is not earned through human achievement, but freely given. Just as Bethlehem was chosen despite its smallness, individuals are invited into God’s redemption not because of their own merit, but because of God’s boundless mercy.

God demonstrated that He can bring hope, light, and redemption through the most unexpected channels. Today, He invites everyone, regardless of their background, to experience His love.

Embracing The Great Commission in Our Lives

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

On a windswept mountain in Galilee, eleven men stood with their eyes fixed on their teacher. Some were filled with wonder, others still wrestled with doubt. Before them stood Jesus, no longer the broken body from the cross, but alive and transformed. The sight of Him sparked worship in their hearts, even as questions lingered in their minds.

From this vantage point atop Mount Arbel, they could see it all – the patchwork of fields in the Jezreel Valley, the shimmering surface of the Sea of Galilee, and the distant peaks of Mount Hermon where Peter had first declared Jesus as the Christ. This was no ordinary gathering. Just as He had used mountains throughout their journey for moments of profound revelation, Jesus had chosen this place for His final command.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” Jesus declared, His voice carrying across the mountain air. The words held weight – not just a statement of power, but a transfer of purpose to these ordinary men who had walked with Him. They had seen Him heal the sick, calm storms, and rise from death itself. Now, He was entrusting them with a mission that would echo through centuries: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

This wasn’t just a suggestion or one option among many. This was the essence of following Jesus – to take what they had received and pass it on to others. Like a gift meant to be regifted, the message of Christ’s salvation wasn’t meant to be kept to themselves. The disciples were being called to more than just adding numbers to their ranks; they were being commissioned to multiply themselves, teaching others to follow and obey everything Jesus had commanded.

The weight of such a task might have crushed them, except for His final promise. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In these words lay both comfort and power – they wouldn’t be doing this alone. The same authority that had raised Jesus from the dead would be with them, working through them as they shared this gift with the world. From that mountaintop moment to every corner of the earth, the message would spread: one life touching another, one disciple making another, until people from every nation would gather around His throne in worship.

Have you exercised The Great Commission this week?

Insight into the Star and the Wise Men’s Journey

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

They knew the stars well. For years, the wise men of the East had studied the ancient prophecies and watched the night sky, knowing that one day a special star would appear – one that would lead them to a king unlike any other. When that brilliant light finally pierced the darkness, they knew their journey had begun.

These learned men gathered their most precious treasures: gold fit for a king, sweet-smelling frankincense used in temple worship, and myrrh, the burial spice that spoke of mortality. Though the journey would be long and dangerous, they set out with determination, following the star that called them westward. As recorded in Matthew 2:1-2, they arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him.”

Their arrival caused quite a stir in Jerusalem. The whole city was troubled, especially King Herod, who gathered his religious advisors to learn where this prophesied king would be born. The scholars knew the answer immediately – Bethlehem. Yet strangely, though these religious leaders knew the prophecies by heart, not one of them made the short five-mile journey to seek this newborn king.

When the wise men finally reached the house where the young Jesus stayed with Mary, they didn’t hesitate or question. These educated, wealthy men immediately fell to their faces in worship. They recognized something the religious scholars had missed – this child was more than just another king. He was worthy of complete adoration. Their expensive gifts carried deep meaning: gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh pointing toward His future sacrifice.

Their encounter with Jesus changed everything. Though Herod had asked them to return with news of the child’s location, they heeded God’s warning in a dream and chose a different route home. Like so many who truly meet Jesus, they left walking a new path – one of obedience to God rather than earthly authorities.

Navigating Challenging Truths in Jesus Teachings

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

A driver found himself frustrated by slow-moving snow plows, which doubled his travel time. Initially annoyed, he soon realized that these plows were ensuring his safe passage home, much like how we often resist the very things meant to guide and protect us in life. Doesn’t this make a good metaphor for the spiritual journey many undertake when confronted with the teachings of Jesus, particularly those found in John 6. Here, Jesus presents himself as the bread of life, claiming that those who come to him will never hunger or thirst again, emphasizing that he offers not just physical sustenance but eternal life.

As crowds flocked to Jesus seeking material blessings after witnessing his miracles, he redirected their focus to deeper spiritual truths. He urged them not to labor for food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life. In this context, Jesus’ assertion that he is the living bread from heaven becomes a pivotal point of contention among his followers. Many found his words difficult to accept, expressing confusion and offense at the notion of consuming his flesh and blood—a teaching that seemed scandalous and hard to grasp. This reaction shows us that Jesus’ teachings often requires grappling with discomfort and confronting our own preconceptions.

Jesus recognizes this struggle within his disciples and addresses their doubts directly, asking if they are offended by his words. He challenges them to consider the implications of his divine origin and the necessity of spiritual rebirth. His insistence that “the Spirit gives life; the flesh is no help at all” underscores that human efforts alone cannot attain salvation or spiritual fulfillment. Instead, it is through divine grace and the work of the Holy Spirit that one can truly live.

The disciples’ struggle reflects a broader human tendency to recoil from challenging truths, especially when they clash with personal beliefs or societal norms. Jesus’ teachings can provoke discomfort, yet they also offer hope and a path to eternal life for those willing to embrace them. Ultimately, Jesus invites us to confront our own hearts when faced with difficult truths, reminding us that true life comes from him alone.