I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
The Empty Pursuit of More
Greed.
It wears like an invisible cloak, blending seamlessly into the fabric of modern culture. It silently seeps into our desires, clouds our judgment, and distorts our values. Greed always seeks more—more validation, more status, more comfort, more things.
But the irony of greed is this: the more earthly possessions, status, or validation we gain, the more we are left dissatisfied.
In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns how this illusion of fulfillment through relentlessly collecting more blinds us to true contentment and purpose and is an empty pursuit:
“Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”
True fulfillment doesn’t happen when we store up possessions or pursue unending comfort. True fulfillment is found when we’re anchored in contentment, gratitude, and a deep relationship with God that leads to seeking His kingdom and righteousness (Luke 12:31).
Where do you have an endless craving for more—more validation, more comfort, more possessions? Are there areas of your life where the constant pursuit of more might be overshadowing the pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness?
Our Good Shepherd
Jesus’ “I Am” sayings are powerful statements that give us a look into His nature and heart.
First, they reveal something about His mission on earth. But second, they connect Jesus to God the Father. These “I Am” statements connect theologically to Exodus 3:14, when God revealed Himself to Moses as “I Am.”
In John 10, Jesus tells the people that He is the good shepherd. The mark of a good shepherd is that he's willing to lay down his life for his sheep, and Jesus says He is willing to do just that.
Jesus’ statement is in contrast to the religious leaders of His day. The religious leaders would often make things very difficult for followers of God—adding laws and regulations that would actually keep people from Him. Ultimately, they were selfish leaders, considering themselves more important than the people they were leading.
Jesus points out that the highest qualification of a shepherd is selflessness. Jesus is the ultimate shepherd because He truly cares ...
