Meet Jesus - Day 6 of 40 - Life Impacter

Read Luke 5:1-11. 

How do you see Jesus impacting people's lives in Luke 5:1-11? 

In these verses I see it happening both on the macro and the micro level. 

"...great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God." (Luke 5:1b NLT)

On the macro level here is Jesus and a great crowd. Picture the scene. People pressing in on one another to hear Jesus preach and teach the word of God. I imagine one couldn't get close enough to hear the words dripping from His lips. These couldn't have been words that made little impact on people's lives, otherwise they wouldn't be there. These were life changing and life giving words. 

Then on the micro level is Jesus and Simon. 

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.' 'Master,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.' And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!"

Peter's initial reply carried a hint of reluctance. I imagine a pause between sentences. Peter continued, "But if you say so..."

Then look at the life impact, the life change.

"[Jesus replied] 'From now on you’ll be fishing for people!' And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus."

No reluctance. Leaving everything. Following Jesus.

How has Jesus impacted you, changed the direction of your life? 



To whom might you share that story? And know that as you share that story, you introduce Jesus: Life Impacter to that person.

Meet Jesus - Day 5 of 40 - Creator

Read John 1:3-4. 

"God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone." (John 1:3-4 NLT)

I personally love being out in nature. Whether it is hiking a dirt path or running a crushed gravel trail, I soak all of creation in--the sights, sounds and smells. It is during these moments when I feel I'm in my best posture to think of and pray to Jesus: Creator. 

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Revelation 4:11 NLT)

Next time you are out on the trails or simply looking out your window, ponder the complexity of creation. An accident. I think not. To hold all in balance, how can there not be a Creator who put all of this universe into motion? And who does Scripture say brought life to the world--the Word, Jesus. 

What thoughts run through your mind when seeing/sensing the evidence of Jesus: Creator?



When sharing Jesus, maybe this is one of the easiest, most tangible aspects of Jesus' identity to introduce one to. How may you introduce Jesus to another in such a way today, this week?

Meet Jesus - Day 4 of 40 - Man on Mission

Read Luke 4:42-44. 

"I [Jesus] must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent." (Luke 4:43 NLT)

Jesus was a man on mission to bring the Good New of the Kingdom of God to the world. In fact, He brought Himself. He is the mission!

Carl Medearis in his book Speaking of Jesus put it so well, "Jesus didn't come to build a kingdom. He brought one with Him. He is the kingdom. He is the entry point...Wherever He went, the pained and lost people He met followed Him. Jesus' gospel was that He was the kingdom of heaven, with an easy and light yoke. He was available, and He was compassionate. And it appears that He was making house calls."

My millennial friends are probably saying, "What's a house call?" Back in the day, even before me, doctors would come right to the house of those who are sick. Now we need to go to their offices. So Jesus brings the Good News: we, the sinful, the sick, the lost, in need of a Savior, a Healer, don't need to go to God. His Kingdom, His "office", He Himself, carrying the power of healing and forgiveness, came to us! 

What does this mean to you?


If you are a follower of Jesus, you follow what He is about. This is what He is about. This is why He was sent. What is then our mission? How are you about Jesus' mission? How do we introduce Jesus: Man on Mission with others?

Meet Jesus - Day 3 of 40 - Bread of Life

Read John 6:22-59. 

"...don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you." (John 6:27 NLT)

What other perishable things do we often concern ourselves with and expend much energy towards? What is it that makes these things so perishable? 



"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35 NLT).

"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” (John 6:47-51 NLT) 

Jesus: Bread of Life is anything but perishable. He is everlasting. In Him we have fullness, complete satisfaction. God sent bread from heaven (manna) to nourish the Israelites' 40 year journey in the wilderness. Then to ultimately satisfy the souls of His people, God sent Himself, Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, so that we would live forever. 

What does/could it mean to meet Jesus:Bread of Life? What is the risk/reward for seeking not the perishable but the eternal?

Who do you know in need of this bread of life? How may you introduce this person to Jesus?

Meet Jesus - Day 2 of 40 - Healer

Read Luke 4:38-41. 

A couple things we know from this passage on Jesus as healer: 

1) He heard the requests from others to heal.

2) Jesus has the power to heal anything - "No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one."


What else about Jesus: Healer do you find in this passage?


How have you witnessed Jesus' healing hand--in your life or in the life of another?


How does what you know of Jesus: Healer inform and impact your day with those you encounter (those in need of healing, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually)?

Meet Jesus - Day 1 of 40 - Advocate

Welcome to Meet Jesus - 40-day Devotional Journey! 

Please read my previous post for an explanation on the two-fold meaning of Meet Jesus.

I believe the plan (and it may take some turns) will be to one day share a name given to describe Jesus in the Bible and the other day to share a word describing a characteristic about Him. 

Imagine you are introducing your friends Bob and Stan to one another. You may start, "Bob, meet Stan. Stan, meet Bob. Bob is a biologist. Stan is a police officer. Bob I've know since we were kids. I met Stan in my church's Thursday morning men's group." Later you mention to Stan about how Bob has been one of those guys you can always count on through the tough times in life. And over a period of time you mention to Bob something about Stan's generosity to people in need. 

Let's become better equipped in introducing our friends to our Friend and Savior Jesus Christ. And over the 40 days, spending time in His Word each day, may we as well know Jesus even better.

Format-wise, after sharing each day's word for Jesus, you will find questions for individual and/or small group reflection. I invite you to discuss with at least one person each day, whomever you encounter as you go (see the "go" in Matthew 28:19), that day's Meet Jesus word. 

Let's speak of Jesus with others--with those who know Jesus but who would benefit from the reminder and with those who do not-yet-know Him. 

Today we meet Jesus: advocate. 

Read 1 John 2:1-2 (NLT). "My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world." 

How would you define the word advocate? 

What does Jesus: advocate mean to you? 

What would Jesus: advocate mean to one who do not-yet-know Him?

Meet Jesus - 40-day Devotional Journey begins 7/26

You are invited to "Follow by Email" (top right column) to receive each day's devotion after they are posted. 

Go to my post a few days ago for background on this upcoming journey. 

Partnerships & Starting New

Check out post I wrote on what we've been learning with launching St. Paul's millennial ministry (CITYLIGHTS) at https://www.fivetwo.com/partnerships-starting-new/. 

Planning on writing a new devo journey..."Meet Jesus"... and I welcome your thoughts

In my men's group this past Tuesday, we read Ephesians 1:11-12 from The Message: "It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for." This is something I can't remind myself enough of...even while working professionally for the church. 


That same day I began reading Carl Medearis' book Speaking of Jesus: The Art of Non-Evangelism. Really the books gets the reader to refocus all attention on Jesus. I need this. It is so easy to forget and attempt to do ministry on one's own steam. You can get by for awhile that way. But it is not lasting. We need Jesus...and His power...and His Word working through us to carry out His mission, to reach new people with His amazing and saving love!

When I'm finished with this book (in about 10 days), I plan to start a new devotional journey. Maybe 20 days. Maybe 30. Maybe 40. Not sure yet. It will be called Meet Jesus and the title has a double meaning. 

The first meaning reflects us introducing people to Jesus. Each day I'll write on a different characteristic/identity of Jesus (Savior, Redeemer, Prince of Peace, etc.). As we go about our lives making disciples, telling people of Jesus, it may be helpful to offer some more specific introductions into who Jesus is. So as we would introduce two mutual friends who don't know each other to one another, we would introduce our friends and those we encounter as we go about our lives to our friend, Jesus. 

The second meaning simply reminds us of the importance of meeting with Jesus. As we are in the Word learning new aspects on who Jesus is, we will do this all with Him. In that time with Him we will be spiritually renewed, refreshed, and reminded that "It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for." 

If you have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas on how to approach this, I'm open to hearing them! 

Easter eggs in the Old Testament?

Did you know that there are Easter eggs in the Old Testament? TONS OF THEM!

Now I’m not speaking of the traditional dyed and decorated holiday eggs. The “Easter eggs” I’m referring to are the intentional, hidden messages found in all sorts of media (movies, video games, books, etc.). My son revealed a couple Easter eggs to me last night when watching “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (like Club Obi Wan).

As an adult you may be more familiar with the word “prophecy”. But when explaining the meaning of “The Lord WILL provide” (Genesis 22:14) to my 10 year old son, sharing that this was an Easter egg ABOUT JESUS (who the Lord would provide as the ultimate sacrifice to save His people) QUICKLY registered in his brain. It spoke his language. And he loved it!

As we continue to read through Genesis and other OT books, I’m looking forward to showing him more Easter eggs! smile emoticon ...and it is funny how these Easter eggs actually point to Jesus and what we remember and celebrate on that spring Sunday holiday.