Devotions, Thoughts, & Reflections with Pastor Andrew

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5:44 What are our motives? This is an imperative question for each and every follower of Jesus to reflect upon. Our motives are a serious matter to God. For the disciple of Jesus, motive is a set matter; there is a right reason for doing or desiring something, and there is a wrong reason for doing or desiring something. There can be no "ulterior motives" in the reasoning and intent of Jesus's disciple, for such is a lie, and falls short of the character of the Holy Spirit, who brings forth truth. Nor can motive be self-seeking, for such a motive contradicts the nature of our self-sacrificing Lord. Neither can our motives form from seeking the approval of others. By Jesus' own words, our motives need to be founded in this: seeking the glory that comes from God, and not in the glory that comes from man. Chasing the glory which comes from ...

The father judges no one, but has given all judgement to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life. John 5:22-24 In this deep teaching, Jesus touches on something so many people are uncomfortable with: God's judgement. So let's press into that. There are whole books written attempting to reason and explain away the reality of the judgement of God. I promise to not lead you down such a frivolous path. The whole of scripture is clear that God judges our everyday decisions, and our eternal state. So, what makes us uncomfortable with God's judgement? Though not an exhaustive answer, I think there are two major parts: 1. We do not understand our condition in a fallen world. 2. We do not trust in the holin...

“Do you not say, ‘there are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘one sows, and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:35-38 Living in God's kingdom changes our mindset and our behavior. For, when we become a follower of Jesus, we enter into the labor of God, and of all of those whom have loved God before us. Christians are not meant to chase after the temporary things of a dying world. We are to labor together as one in God's fields, glorifying Him with our lives, changing what we care about to match what He cares about. And what is it that God cares about? In Jesus' life, what was He focused on? Making a name for himself? ...