Blessed Memories

Jesus, Coequal with God

READ: JOHN 1:1-3; COLOSSIANS 1:15-20; HEBREWS 1:1-4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=JOHN%201%3A1-3%3B%20COLOSSIANS%201%3A15-20%3B%20HEBREWS%201%3A1-4&version=CSB] Every generation has catchphrases. There was a popular saying in the early church that went something like this, “There was a time when He was not.” In fact, it was so popular that people would go around chanting it in the streets! What did the phrase mean? A pastor at the time by the name of Arius had started to circulate some unique ideas about Jesus, and one of those ideas was that Jesus was a lesser being than God the Father. To argue this point, Arius claimed that Jesus was created by God (hence the catchphrase). Does this view hold water when compared to the rest of Scripture? First, take a look at John 1. In this passage, John uses the title of “the Word” to describe Jesus. Not only was Jesus “with God in the beginning” (verse 2), He Himself “was God” (verse 1). This teaches us that Jesus existed in eternity past with God the Father. Notice John also writes, “All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created” (verse 3). If Jesus created all things, then how could He have been created? What about Colossians 1:15? In this verse, Paul refers to Jesus as “the firstborn over all creation.” Does that mean Jesus was created, or born from God? No! In Bible times, to be the firstborn was considered an honor. In this passage, Paul uses the term as a title indicating that Jesus deserves to be honored above all creation. In the following verse, Paul writes that everything that exists has been created by Jesus, just like John wrote in John 1. At the Council of Nicea in AD 325, Arius’s belief that Jesus was a created being and less than God was rightly rejected. We would say that Jesus and the Father are separate persons, but both fully and equally God. Therefore, we can be sure that there was NOT a time when He was not. • Jonathon Fuller • Why do you think believing Jesus is God is such an important part of being a Christian? How does it make you feel when you think about God Himself dying on the cross for us? • The word Trinity is how we describe that God is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What questions do you have about the Trinity? Who could you ask about it? • The controversy with Arius eventually resulted in the Nicene Creed, a brief summary of the gospel that unites Christians from around the world and throughout history. This creed is still read regularly in many churches today. If you’ve never read this creed, check it out! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (CSB)

Our Good Father

READ: PSALM 68:5-6; MATTHEW 7:9-11; LUKE 15:11-32; JOHN 10:27-30 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%2068%3A5-6%3B%20MATTHEW%207%3A9-11%3B%20LUKE%2015%3A11-32%3B%20JOHN%2010%3A27-30&version=NIV] What is a good father like? One who loves his children—not for what they do (or don’t do) but simply because they’re his. Who takes the time to simply be there to listen to his children, share in their dreams, and build them up with words of encouragement. Who is a safe place and a shelter from harm. But in this broken world, not all fathers are good fathers, and no father is perfect. If you had no positive father influences in your life, the concept of a good father might seem as distant as the far side of the sea. Even if you have a father figure who is an amazing example of what a father should be, he’ll still let you down sometimes because we’re all sinners in need of a Savior. Whatever we’ve personally experienced when it comes to fathers, we have this common thread of hope: once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, God is our Father. He is THE Father—here before the world was formed, speaking all creation into existence. He made each one of us, and He delights in us! He loves us so deeply that He gave His own life for us, even when we wanted nothing to do with Him. Like in Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, God is always waiting for us with open arms when we return from our wandering. There are no limits to His love, no sin too appalling. He always searches for the one who is lost. He gives good gifts to His children. He listens every time we call to Him. He teaches us and helps us become more like Jesus. He rejoices over us with singing! Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, God has made the way for us to confidently approach His throne of grace, to find mercy and help in our time of need. He is our safe place, our refuge. He is the Rock we can stand on and the fortress we can hide in. He rescues us from sin and temptation…even from the grave! He strengthens us, protects us, encourages us. When we belong to our Father God, no one can snatch us out of His hands. • Savannah Coleman • What are some of the ways God has shown us He is a good Father? (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 18:2; Zephaniah 3:17; Luke 15:1-10; 19:10; John 1:1-14; 3:16-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16; 13:5; James 1:17; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 5:7) • When you hear the word father, what comes to mind? If you’ve been abandoned or mistreated by your earthly father, know this: God wants so badly to be your Father that He suffered the cross for you. He will never abandon you. Consider taking some time to talk to God, letting your wounded heart be held and healed by the one who loves you unconditionally. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

I Want a Life Like That

READ: EPHESIANS 1:3-14; HEBREWS 13:5; 1 PETER 1:3-9; 5:7 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=EPHESIANS%201%3A3-14%3B%20HEBREWS%2013%3A5%3B%201%20PETER%201%3A3-9%3B%205%3A7&version=NIV] Whoa…I want to live in a house like that. Whoa…I want a life like that. I want a family like that. I want to look like that. I want… Do you ever find yourself comparing your life to someone else’s? I know I spend a lot of time on social media, just dreaming of what life would be like if I could switch places with one person I follow. She seems to have it all together, and she seems to be content. But is she content because of everything she has…or because of her faith in God and the contentment He offers? Is she even content, or does she just look that way on social media? We compare ourselves to others all the time, and we quickly notice that we have less than some people do. We might start to feel like we haven’t been blessed like they have. We can easily find ourselves wanting more out of our lives—simply because we’ve seen others who seem to have things we don’t. This is called coveting. And God wants so much more for us than comparison and coveting. Jesus has come to give us life in abundance—and through His death and resurrection He has already poured out every blessing on us! So, what can we do when we realize we’re envious of someone else? We can turn to Jesus, remembering that He doesn’t play favorites, and He isn’t holding out on us. We can stop coveting as we rest in Jesus, thanking Him for what He’s given us. In this broken world, we won’t have perfect lives. But, no matter what, we are blessed because Jesus has made us part of His kingdom and given us an inheritance that will never be shaken. • Emily Acker • In what ways do you tend to compare yourself to other people? • What are some of the good things God has given you? What are some ways He has met your needs or brought you enjoyment? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! (James 1:17) • God cares about all our needs, and one of the ways He provides for His people, is through His people. If you or someone you know doesn’t have what you need, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about this today? • If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 20:17; Psalm 131:2; Matthew 6:25-34; 28:20; John 10:10; Romans 2:11; 8:32; 12:13; Philippians 4:4-19; 1 Timothy 6:5-21; Hebrews 12:28. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

The Twelve

READ: MARK 3:13-19; LUKE 6:12-16; JOHN 6:66-71 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MARK%203%3A13-19%3B%20LUKE%206%3A12-16%3B%20JOHN%206%3A66-71&version=NIV] Have you ever considered the twelve disciples? No, not the pale, scholarly figures from the picture books, but the real people described in the Bible. Some of them were fishermen—sunburned and wind-leathered—with loud laughter and rough manners. Peter (also called Simon and Cephas) was one of these, ever the one to stand tall and speak up (Matthew 14:22-33). His brother Andrew probably wished he’d keep quiet at times. James and John, sons of a man named Zebedee, were also fisherman and were known as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). Matthew must have felt a little out of place, a former tax collector who would’ve been considered a traitor to his own people (Matthew 9:9). Then, there was Philip—curious and eager to follow Jesus (John 1:43-46). Of Bartholomew little is known. Thomas is often remembered for his moment of doubt (John 20:24-28). James, son of Alphaeus, is sometimes called “James, the Younger” to distinguish him from John’s brother. Next is Judas, often called Thaddeus to keep him from being confused with Judas Iscariot (Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). Simon the Zealot was the revolutionary, a Jewish patriot looking for the glory of Israel (Luke 6:15). Finally, Judas Iscariot was a thief fighting with himself (John 12:4-6). He saw the goodness of Christ, yet he betrayed Him into the murderous hands of the religious leaders. The Twelve must have been a sight to behold as they followed Jesus all over the countryside. How did this rabble stay together, even after Christ’s resurrection and ascension? With Jesus—the risen Savior—uniting them in His love, and by His Spirit poured out on them at Pentecost, they became a close-knit community. Together, they saw God turn the world upside down by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the disciples, God worked to change the course of history. Not because of who they were, but because of who they followed. • Cheyenne Craven • Which of the disciples do you relate to the most? Why? • The Twelve came from a variety of different backgrounds. How can we learn to look past, and even appreciate, differences in other Christians and see what we have in common in Christ? Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)

With You in Your Pain

READ: PSALM 73; ROMANS 8:35-39 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%2073%3B%20ROMANS%208%3A35-39&version=NIV] Throughout our lives, we all go through times when we feel depressed and discouraged. When we’re in pain, we may forget that we can talk with God, even if it’s just to be angry. Remember: nearly half of the psalms are complaints—also known as laments. Psalm 73 is my favorite gripe. Asaph is angry and deeply discouraged. He concludes that following God is a waste of time. He describes himself as “a brute beast before” God (verse 22). I’ve identified with that many times. I’ve met God in my failure, my frustration, my falling into sin. You too may meet Him in those ways—or in illness, a broken relationship, loss, or a lifelong burden. While it can be so easy to believe that God is distant or separated from us, in truth, Jesus is right there with us in the darkness (Psalm 139:7-12). In the midst of his misery, Asaph prays, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (verse 23). He connects with God in the midst of his struggle. And God is already there. He has been all along. We could say that Asaph invites God into his pain. Here’s the good part: When we go to Jesus, our situations may not change, but we do. Our Lord always points us somewhere—upward. Asaph continues, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (verses 24-25). So we can always have hope—no matter what—because we have a Savior in heaven. A Savior who has promised to return and put an end to sin, death, and suffering. A Savior who is with us through it all—who feels our hurts as His own. We can meet Jesus in our pain. • Peter Lundell • Can you think of a time you were in pain, but you could see how God was there with you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this, and invite Him into any pain you’re in now. • If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 28:20; Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 21:1-5. • If you’re wrestling with depression or other deep pain, who is someone you could share openly with about what you’re experiencing? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)