Aftershame

 Jesus confronted those who opposed His healing on the Sabbath day and left them feeling ashamed (Luke 13). Although the Church has caused a lot of harm by using guilt as a weapon, guilt does serve a purpose. When you feel guilty, it might be an opportunity to either repent, or to better understand where the guilt is really coming from and learn to move past it.

Awesome Sword of Fire

 

Christians have used Christ's teaching from Luke 12 to maliciously defend attacks on non-Christians. By skewing what Jesus tells us is inevitable to say that these divisions are desirable, we miss Christ's central teachings on humility and self-sacrifice. Do you create divisions to serve others and defend the persecuted, or do you divide by persecuting others?

How much doubt can one cartoon panel hold?

Sometimes we confuse faith in God with a complete lack of doubt. But many faithful Christians have found that expressing their doubts has given them the opportunity to expand their faith. Maybe this is what Thomas experienced when he met the resurrected Christ (John 20).  

Honest Doubt

Jesus provided Thomas the visual and tangible proof he needed to find faith in the resurrection (John 20).  While Jesus doesn't commend the Thomas' doubts, he still uses this doubt as a doorway to increase Thomas' faith. Tradition tells us that Thomas' life after the encounter demonstrated unyielding faith and commitment. How has doubt increased your faith?

Tears for Easter

 Mary wept when she discovered the body of Jesus was missing (John 20). We're not sure if her tears indicated a lack of faith or understanding that Jesus was risen, but when Jesus does reveal himself to her, he treats her with kindness and reassurance. How do you treat those who don't share your faith?

Are you?

 

Many have commented on how quickly the Palm Sunday (Luke 19) crowd turned on Jesus, but maybe their turning was no different from our willingness to reject Jesus's teachings and instead adopt a mob mentality that demeans empathy, charity, and understanding. Are you willing to live like Jesus for Jesus?  

 John revealed in his gospel that Judas had been stealing from the funds that were set aside by Jesus and His disciples to help the poor (John 12). Oddly, many Christians use words from this chapter to curtail giving to those in need, by declaring that there will always be poor people. Have you stolen from the poor by misapplying Jesus's words to serve your own greed?

Awesome's Treasures

 When the Israelites entered the promised land they found an abundance of food (Josh 5). This provision reminds us of the grace God extends to us through Jesus Christ (Eph 2). Perhaps we should consider how much has been given to us and how having received gifts, we should give to others (Matt 8).

Respectable Sins

 Jesus corrected a group that believed their countrymen were punished by God because they died horrible deaths (Luke 13). Jesus often warned us against believing our sins are less offensive than those around us, and later James reminds us of this truth (James 2:10). Which of your sins do feel proud to own, or consider 'respectable?'

God's presence?

 When God made a covenant with Abraham, the Bible describes a "horror of great darkness" falling on him (Gen 15). The Bible consistently associates God's presence with great fear, reminding us of God's absolute power. When God's people face great evil, they gain courage to act by knowing God is all-powerful.

Fear and Darkness

 When God made a covenant with Abraham, the Bible describes a "horror of great darkness" falling on him (Gen 15). During this time of fear and darkness, the covenant of blessing was established. Where can you find hope in your time of fear and darkness?

What's mine is...Pastor Awesome's?

Every year, when the Israelites brought their tithes to the temple, they were prescribed a statement to recite. This statement reminded them that all they had was given to them by God and that it was their privilege to share it not only with the worship leaders, but also with those in need Duet 26:1-11. Do you give as a reminder that you owe everything to someone else, or do you give with an air of expectation for a 'return on your investment'?

 

Behind the banner?

 Moses hid his face when he realized that it was scaring those who saw it (Ex 34). Do we try to hide those who are different from us by forcing them out of public areas? What do you find so frightening that you find ways to hide it from your sight? Are you afraid to see someone different 

Looking Back

 The story of Joseph seems to show God using evil and hurtful actions to accomplish His ultimate goal (Gen 45).  It's great when we can look back at hard times in our lives and see God's hand, but it isn't a justification to hurt others.

Team Awesome requirements

 Jesus chose 12 men to serve as apostles (Luke 6:13), but among those not chosen were many people who followed Jesus and contributed greatly to His story. If you feel rejected, you are in good company and are still an important part of the story. 

Pastor Awesome doesn't get it

 Before becoming a follower of Jesus, Peter humbled himself and declared himself to be a sinner (Luke 2). While the word "sin" is unpopular, most of us hold some guilt over a time in our lives when we failed to live up to our own values. The promise of Christ is that He can free us of our guilt, if we can just face it.

What would Jesus do with a Jehu bracelet?

 While Christians seek to be 'Christlike' or to live out Christ's teachings, we might find ourselves redefining Christ to make our actions more seem legitimate or 'good.' 1 Peter 2

Would Jehu let you read that?

 Which Bible character do you emulate?

What Would Jehu Do (again)

 Many Christians have adopted a 'biblical world view' without considering that not every person in the Bible is meant to be imitated. Are you trying to be more like Christ, or more like an Old Testament general?

What Would Jehu do?

Many Christians seem to be following the examples of all kinds of biblical characters, while failing to imitate Christ and His actions. As Christians, shouldn't we look to Christ as our example (Philippians 2:5)?