Category: Attitude

lest they should be put out

Post author By Justin Hopkins
Post date May 25, 2020
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Perhaps even sadder than those who refused to consider the evidence for Christ, are those who Joh speaks of in the next verses. In John 12:42-43 we read of many who did believe in Jesus but refused to follow Him.

They did this because they were motivated by fear of what they would lose. They had grown up as a part of the Jewish synagogue. It had been a part of the very fabric of their lives. They knew that Jesus was the Christ, but they also knew that following Him meant that they would be thrown out of the synagogue.

So, rather than following the Savior, and following what they knew to be right, they stayed where they were. They stayed where they were comfortable. They stayed where they didn’t have Jesus Christ.

Sometimes following Jesus calls us to leave behind that which is familiar, and that which is comfortable. Sometimes it means losing relationships and a community. But it will always be worth it. Who is more important in your life; people, or God?

Attitude Faith Heart Perspectives of a Bondservant

Although He Had Done Many Signs

Post author By Justin Hopkins
Post date May 18, 2020
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It is not uncommon to hear somebody say that if they received a sign from God they would believe, or maybe to wish for a sign from God telling them what they should do. Perhaps you have felt that way yourself, or maybe even feel that way right now.

It is interesting to note that here in John 12:36-40 we learn that Jesus had performed many signs in the presence of these people who were now at Jerusalem for the feast. These were religious people, people who on some level wanted to please God. Yet, when faced with an abundance of miraculous proof that Jesus is the Christ, they refused to believe.

John comments that this is a fulfillment of a prophecy in Isaiah. It is interesting to note that this is not the only occasion in which this particular prophecy is said to be fulfilled. That tells us that the prophecy wasn’t about a singular event, but rather a frame of mind. There are many today who fulfill this prophecy because they have no desire to even consider the evidence that is before them.

The question that each of us must answer is whether we are willing to open our eyes and see what God has said.

Attitude Doctrine Evangelism Ministry Textual Studies

We Would See Jesus

Over the last three years, Jesus had developed a reputation throughout Israel as a miracle worker and a prophet of God. It seems that his disciples had also come to be identified with the Master.

In John 12:20-22, as the Jews are gathering for the Passover, a group of worshippers find Philip, recognize him as Jesus; disciple, and ask to see Jesus. They weren’t there to see Philip, but they knew that Philip was connected to the Lord, so they sought him out.

In the same way, when we identify ourselves as Christians, those around us expect to see Jesus. They expect to see Him in our attitudes, our actions, our worship, and our teaching.

Ultimately, it is not about us. Our goal should be to help others to see the Savior. If they see things in our lives that are not consistent with followers of Christ it won’t go unnoticed.

At the same time, by living as Christians, we will find opportunities, like Philip, to bring others to Jesus. It all begins with a life that is lived by following the Master.

Tags Jesus

Attitude Church Devotional

What Eats You Up?

An old church covered in weeds and vines.

John chapter two ends with an abrupt account of Jesus cleansing the Temple. This whole process occupies many hours of His time. He made a scourge (John 2:15). No doubt, He spent much time in thought and prayer as He sat and braided the small cords.

His actions were not a brief fit of rage but calculated deliberate actions. Jesus was passionate about the way that people approached the place of worship, and what they did while they were there.

The disciples watched with wide eyes as Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple with the whip that He had made. They called to mind Psalm 69:9, and David’s words about suffering shame and ridicule, even from family because of his dedication to God.

That day Jesus demonstrated in vivid fashion the care and thought that should go into approaching God in worship. He demonstrated that it matters what we do, how we do it, and the motivation that is in our hearts.
Others around us may never know why we are in worship, but Jesus certainly does, and he cares.
So, what east you up? Is it a passion for serving God, or something else?

Attitude Devotional

Whatever He Says…

The first miracle that Jesus ever performed was prompted by the initiative of His mother, Mary. The instructions that she gave to the servants were simple. “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:5).

What might have happened if the servants had ignored Jesus’ instructions? What if they had only kinda done what Jesus had said? They would have ended up serving water instead of wine, and their employers would have been upset.

I imagine that the servants thought Jesus’ instructions to be odd at best, but they followed them. Exactly. When we approach Jesus, so much more than a party is at stake. So, are you willing to do whatever He says? If so, He can do amazing things in your life.

Attitude Perspectives Victory

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Post author By Justin Hopkins
Post date February 28, 2018
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Elizabeth Swaney is a very average skier from Oakland, California. She’s certainly not a bad skier, but there is nothing about her skills that stand out. Yet, last week she caught the world’s attention by competing at the Women’s Half-Pipe event in the Olympics at Pyeongchang. She was stacked against twenty-three of the world’s best athletes in the sport, and her qualifying run was scored dead last, trailing far behind the next lowest score. As the world scratched their heads and wondered how she even got there, she was celebrating the achievement of a dream.

So how did she do it? She studied the rules of qualifying to participate in the Olympics, and she took the long path to get there. Rather than dazzling the world with amazing skills, she showed up for world cup events that weren’t well attended. Lots of them. Over the last two years, she has racked up enough points to qualify for the Olympic competition.

Often, achieving great things doesn’t require exceptional abilities or privilege, it just requires that you show up consistently. God doesn’t expect you to achieve incredible things, but he does expect you to show up. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Are you working toward your goals, or are you just waiting for greatness to strike?

Attitude Church God Heart Restoration

Five Reasons to Come to Church

Post author By Justin Hopkins
Post date February 7, 2018
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How long has it been since you have been to church? Friend, that’s too long! There are several reasons why you may not be going as often as you could. Maybe you’ve just gotten busy. Maybe you just don’t see the value. Maybe something has been said or done that turned you away. Whatever the case may be, please consider these five reasons you may want to make plans to attend this Sunday:

Because You Want To

That’s right, you want to. We all have those occasions where we know we should go somewhere, but we don’t feel like it. Yet, after having gotten out of the house and gone, we’re glad that we did. Sometimes that’s the way it is with church. It is an opportunity to gather with other people who are focused on doing good, and everything that is right. It is an opportunity to encourage and be encouraged. It is an opportunity to bring your prayers before the God of Heaven and Earth. It is an opportunity to pause and reflect on what really matters in life. It is an opportunity to show your thankfulness and love for God.

You may not feel like going to church, but do it anyway. You’ll be glad you did. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)

Because Jesus Invited You

Jesus is amazing. And He has done some amazing things for you. He left Heaven and came to earth to be poor, ridiculed, mocked, tortured, and mercilessly killed; all so that you could be in Heaven with Him (John 1:10-12). He left us an example and showed us how to live an abundant life here on Earth (1 Peter 2:21; John 10:10). In Heaven He now stands at the right hand of God, pleading on your behalf (Romans 8:34).

He thinks the church is special. He died for it (Ephesians 5:25). He built it (Matthew 16:18). He wants you to be a part of it (Revelation 22:17). When you think about all the awesome things Jesus has done for you, it is worth considering that maybe there is something to the church you might have missed. It is also worth considering that since Jesus has done all those things, it’s the least we can do to accept his invitation as a sign of gratitude.

Because A Friend Invited You

Christians have amazing blessings to be excited about. So, it should come as no surprise when somebody invites you to church. They want to share the wealth. When Philip found Jesus, the first thing he did was go tell somebody he cared about (John 1:45). If a friend has invited you, it is because they care. If not, then consider this that very invitation.

Because Your Soul Needs It

The pressures of life are real. The struggle is real. God knows what you are going through, and He cares. That is part of the reason why He asks us to go to church. It is an opportunity to take a step back from the grind of life and see things from an eternal perspective. It is an opportunity to drink deeply from the water of life and learn valuable information from Scripture.

Have you ever taken a drink of water when you didn’t feel particularly thirsty, only to find that when you tasted the water you couldn’t get enough? Your body needed water, but you didn’t realize it. Our souls can be the same way with God’s Word. You may not notice anything missing in your life, but your soul still craves to be fed from Scripture.

Because You Learn More About God

We can know certain things about God by observing the world around us (Romans 1:20). We can tell that He is powerful, that He is thoughtful, and that He cares about His creation. Beyond that, we can know very little unless He tells us. What does He want? Will we see Him again? What happens after we die? What can we expect from Him? All these questions can only be answered by studying what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture. Going to church is a great opportunity to study those things together and to learn things you might not learn on your own.

This list is by no means exhaustive. There are lots of great reasons to go to church, but you’ll never know what you’re missing until you do.