Fishers of Men

 Jesus promises to make His disciples 'Fishers of Men (Mark 1).'  We might be tempted to use this phrase as an excuse to treat our relationships as a sport or as a means to an end. Christ's relationships encourage a change of perspective. Asking Christ to save us should change our orientation from selfishness to honest concern and care for others. How have you changed your perspective to others.

Using Paul to clobber others

 Christians are infamous for using Paul's writings to condemn any behavior that they feel is not acceptable. One example is 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. Some translations chose words that specifically condemn the LGTBQ community, instead of accepting that anyone who refuses to give up power and pleasure taken by force should repent. Have you ever reinterpreted the Bible for your own purposes? 

The message given to Jesus for you

 God audibly spoke to those who witnessed the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:11). The voice clearly stated that Jesus had a family relationship with the very creator of all existence. The good news of the gospel is that we get to join that family and share the in love God has for His children. How do you experience and share your family relationship with The God?

What time is it?

 Galatians 4:4 describes the birth of Christ as being in the Fullness of Time. The phrase not only reminds us that God works on His own timetable, but also that the time was transformative. being the 'fullness' of time points us to the changes that Christ's presence brought. We now understand that Jesus would preach a transformative message that changes us from the inside out. Have you experienced this transformation?

How do you make room?

The famous story of how Christ was born in a manager (Luke 2) is often used to illustrate how we don't make room for God and His word in our lives. But, we might also be reminded of the Old Testament stories of hospitality. If the family knew that Mary was about to give birth to the King of Kings, it seems they would have provided better accommodations. How do you accommodate others in order to make room for Jesus? 

 

This changes everything

 The birth of John the Baptist heralded the coming of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ (Luke 1). Like every child, John's presence on the earth changed everything for those around him. His father regained a lost voice, his mother gained the status of having a child, and the world gained a prophet who would prepare the way for our coming Lord. Can you imagine what we gain when we embrace the unique gift of other people?

Isolating together

 

Luke 1 describes two miraculous pregnancies that unite two very different women, Elizabeth, an older woman with a highly-regarded social status and her young cousin, Mary, an obvious target for the social elite's dismissal and disdain. The two women isolate themselves during this time, but still find joy and strength in their connection. What connections do you have that bring you joy?