Tag: jesus

A few weeks ago, we talked about the topic of envy. And today’s topic of competition is in many ways a continuation of that theme. In our daily lives, it can be tempting to fall into the cycle of competition, comparing our progress, achievements, or blessings to those of others.

This tendency to measure ourselves against others isn’t new, and it’s something the Bible addresses head-on.

Galatians 5:26 warns, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” It’s a straightforward reminder that we are not called to outdo one another in a race for status or recognition, but instead to walk together in love and humility.

Proverbs 3:3-4 gives us another powerful insight, saying, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

These verses call us to seek character over comparison, focusing on qualities like love and faithfulness rather than striving to outshine others. God values our character far more than our achievements, and He is pleased when we build others up rather than tear them down.

In a world that so often encourages competition, self-promotion, and the endless pursuit of “more,” we can feel pressured to keep up. Social media, work environments, and even our own minds may push us toward constant comparison, measuring our worth by what others have or achieve. Yet, this isn’t the life we’re called to. Jesus invites us to a path of humility, kindness, and contentment, reminding us that we are valued by God exactly as we are.

How would our lives look if we focused less on outperforming others and more on walking faithfully in our own calling? When we let go of comparison, we open ourselves up to genuine relationships and personal growth. Instead of feeling envious of others’ achievements, we can celebrate them. Instead of seeking praise, we can find joy in quiet faithfulness. And instead of being weighed down by competition, we can experience the peace that comes from living in alignment with God’s values.

The next time you feel tempted to compete or compare, consider shifting your focus. Ask yourself, “Am I pursuing this out of love and faithfulness, or out of a desire to prove myself?” Our personal journey is unique, and in God’s eyes, scripture is clear that it’s our hearts—not our achievements—that matter most.

Questions:

1. Our world is described in today’s lesson as encouraging “competition, self-promotion, and the endless pursuit of more.” Do you agree with that statement, and if so, do you think this issue is more common in affluent communities like Buckhead?
2. Have you personally experienced or observed the negative effects of excessive competition? If so, what were some of the harmful side effects?
3. What are some areas in your life where you feel the temptation to compete or compare yourself to others?
4. Have you experienced the peace of letting go of comparison? If so, what did that look like for you?
5. Do you believe we are unfairly characterizing competition in today’s lesson? Is it always a bad thing?

Election season can feel like a whirlwind. Every ad and headline shouts about stakes higher than ever, and it’s easy to feel like the future rests entirely on the outcome of this election. While staying informed matters, it’s also essential to ask: Where are we placing our trust?

For followers of Jesus, true peace doesn’t come from political outcomes but from the one who is our unshakable foundation.

Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Imagine if we let this truth guide us, turning our focus from the temporary to the eternal. Most of us know we can’t control election results, but we can decide what we allow into our hearts and minds.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul says, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

I’m just as susceptible as anyone to getting distracted, but more than ever I’m looking for ways to anchor my mind in what is eternally good. Rather than letting the world’s anxiety rule my thoughts, I can fill my heart with truth, and with gratitude for God’s presence, even in the craziest of times.

The relationships we invest in and the purpose that drives us are what define our lives, not one election or news cycle.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Instead of focusing on fear, we can focus on God’s promises.

And in Psalm 46:10, we’re invited, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Even when the world feels shaky, God holds all things together.

God calls us to live in the world, but not be overcome by it. So, this election season, look upward, encouraging those you love to focus on what lasts and on the One who holds it all.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do you agree that election season is a particularly easy time to get distracted from what really matters? Why or why not?
2. What’s one habit you could adopt this week to limit distractions and invite peace?
3. Which Bible verse could you meditate on when you feel uncertain? (either those above or others that are important to you)
4. Why is it so critical that we turn to scripture when the craziness is at its worst?
5. How can you invest in relationships that build your faith this season?

We took the last several months off from the blog to go through the book Man in the Mirror together but we’re back to it now with a powerful verse from 1 Timothy.

Today’s lesson starts with a question for the group: who was the worst sinner of all time? Some might think of notorious figures from history, but when Paul wrote 1 Timothy, he claimed the title for himself. In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

This statement comes from a man who went on to become one of the greatest leaders of the early church. So, why would Paul make such a bold claim? He’s referring to his past, a time when he persecuted Christians with zeal. Before his conversion, Paul (then known as Saul) was feared for hunting down believers, and he was present at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:58). Given this background, it’s not surprising that some Christians were skeptical of Paul, even after his transformation. To many, he wasn’t just another sinner—he was the worst kind: the former enemy of Christ.

Paul’s words in 1 Timothy were also a smart and effective writing tool. He wasn’t just acknowledging his sinful past to be transparent, but he was also disarming his critics. By openly calling himself the “worst” of sinners, Paul showed deep humility. He understood that his story wasn’t about glorifying his sins, but about highlighting the boundless grace of God. If God could forgive Paul, He could forgive anyone.

Paul’s story serves as a reminder that no one is too far gone. God’s grace isn’t reserved for those who “have it all together” but is for everyone, no matter their past. Paul’s life of transformation proves that God can use anyone for good—even someone who once fought against the church.

So what does this mean for us?
If we ever feel unworthy of God’s love because of mistakes we’ve made, Paul’s story is a message of hope. We don’t need to be perfect to come to God—He meets us where we are. And once we accept His grace, we can move forward with new purpose, just like Paul did.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does Paul’s story teach us about how God sees sinners?
2. Have you ever struggled with feeling unworthy of God’s love? How can Paul’s life experience encourage us in those moments?
3. Two part question: a) how judgmental and critical do you tend to be of others and b) does God’s grace toward Paul inspire you to be less judgmental and more gracious toward others?
4. In what ways can we show the same grace to others that Paul received from God?
5. How can we incorporate humility like Paul did and use our own stories of forgiveness to help others see God’s grace at work?

This week’s chapter of The Man in the Mirror is titled “The Secret of Job Contentment.” This week the author invites us to explore the topic of contentment in our professional lives. This chapter addresses the keys to job satisfaction but also the deeper, spiritual alignment of our work with God’s purposes.

The distinction between wants and needs is a fundamental aspect of Christianity and a key theme in this chapter. Often, our career ambitions drive us — whether to gain significance, authority, wealth, prestige, or respect.  While these pursuits are not inherently sinful, they can distract us from what God wants for us. He wants us to find dignity and purpose in our work.

The author also suggests that a major secret to job contentment lies in redefining what we truly need vs. what we want.

Our circumstances do not determine our contentment; rather, our faith and trust in God do. This requires us to redefine our boss, recognizing that ultimately, we are serving the Lord. While we have earthly employers or clients, the ultimate authority and ownership rest with God. He has the final interest in all things, and by serving our earthly bosses as representatives of God’s authority, we can align our work with His kingdom.

To embrace contentment in our jobs, we must also learn not to try to control the future with our own plans but to trust in God’s plan for us—one day at a time. As Matthew 6:34 reminds us, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Through this chapter, we learn that job contentment is not about achieving all our desires but about aligning our needs with God’s purpose, trusting in His plan, and serving Him faithfully in every aspect of our work.

In seeking job contentment, it might help us to think of our work not just as a means to an end but as a significant part of God’s plan for our lives (which it is). When we redefine our ambitions and view our daily tasks through the lens of serving God, every action gains a deeper meaning and purpose. This shift encourages us not only to pursue excellence in our roles but also to find joy in even the mundane tasks, knowing they contribute to a greater mission.

Questions:

1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? — Like the other chapters in TMITM book, this chapter sounds very logical and, in many ways, obvious. But, also like other chapters, some of the ideas seem a little impractical or even daunting?

2. One of the ideas in today’s lesson is that we should avoid trying to control the future with our plans? Does that mean we are supposed to avoid making plans?

3. In what ways can we see our role at work as serving God, not just our earthly employer?

4. Do you believe that trusting in God’s plan, one day at a time, can help alleviate pressures related to our career ambitions? If so, how?

5. Based on today’s lesson, what would you say is the key to job contentment?

Our next chapter from “Man in the Mirror,” is titled “Significance: The Search for Meaning and Purpose.” It challenges us to consider what it really means to lead a significant life. For many, significance might be measured by achievements, influence, or the legacy they leave behind. However, this chapter invites us to consider a deeper concept of significance—one that aligns with God’s purpose and design for our lives.

Today’s Scripture is from Psalm 8:3-4 and says “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”

These words remind us that no matter how much worldly significance we achieve, it all pales in comparison to the “work of God’s fingers”. And, as a result, we can gain more real significance by pursuing God vs. pursuing things.

Instead of defining our worth by worldly standards, which are fleeting and often leave us feeling unfulfilled, this chapter reminds us to find our significance in our relationship with God and our faithfulness to His call. This shift in perspective realigns our priorities and enriches our lives immeasurably more than any worldly accomplishment could.

Here’s a real head-scratcher – if we took a test about where our focus should be, we would all choose Godly significance as the “right” answer. But as soon as we stand up and leave today the first thing many of us (including me) will be tempted to do is check our messages and get right back into the rat race. That’s not to say that we should ignore our messages, but it highlights how quickly our focus can shift from Godly to worldly pursuits

I don’t believe the author is advocating for a life of poverty over one of wealth and material riches, nor is he anti-wealth or anti-accomplishment. Rather, he seeks the best for his readers, understanding that a laser focus on worldly things is less fulfilling than embracing God’s eternal perspective. Let’s explore this and other topics in our discussion questions below.

1. Do you agree with the statement above that the author really just wants the best for each of his readers or do you get the sense that he’s anti-wealth/anti-accomplishment (worldly accomplishment that is)? Or is the answer “both and”?
2. Why is it so tempting to choose the worldly significance path when we know the Godly significance path is better in every way? And are those two paths necessarily distinct & separate?
3. Two-part question – what daily habits do you currently follow to align more closely with God’s purposes for you? And what habits would you like to add?
4. How do you want to be remembered in terms of your faith and impact on others?

Today’s topic, from the third chapter of Man in the Mirror is a comparison between Cultural Christianity and Biblical Christianity. “Cultural Christianity” involves going through the motions—attending church, participating in Bible studies, and identifying with Christian values mostly in public or traditional settings. However, this approach may lack the depth of personal faith, daily reliance on Scripture, and a living relationship with Christ that defines a Biblical Christian.

Today’s lesson is about bringing awareness to the difference because I believe that many of us might find ourselves acting in the role of a cultural Christian without even realizing it. That brings us to the verse for today which is from James 1:22-23:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

So, what’s the big deal, right? If we live life as a cultural Christian, nobody gets hurt, and we are at least acting like a “good guy”. Is this really that bad? To me, this is like neglecting our health by skipping exercise and overindulging in desserts—eventually, our doctor might deliver news we can’t reverse.

In the same way, imagine pausing to reflect on December 31^st of even one single year and genuinely contemplating the quality of our faith life over the previous 12 months. In many years, we might realize that, while we’ve been present at church, we haven’t been fully present in our walk with God. And while that single year of regret is genuinely sad, consider adding all the rest of your years of regret together and thinking about that weighty idea as you near the end of your life on earth – wow, now that’s powerful.

But the good news is that it’s a lot simpler than we try to make it. It’s not about doing more in most cases; it’s about doing less. Typically, we don’t need more Bible studies or volunteering at the soup kitchen; we need more quiet time with God and more time to reflect on scripture. Those are the real moments when God speaks to us and moves our hearts.

The path of a Biblical Christian involves a daily (yes, daily) commitment to transform our hearts and minds to reflect the image of Jesus. But it is completely worth it! Imagine waking each day with a sense of purpose and a life of peace. This is not just a distant dream; it is very much available to each of us as we deepen our faith.

As we dig into these questions, let’s really challenge ourselves. By sharing authentically, everyone will hopefully leave today with a renewed passion for living as a Biblical Christian.

Questions:

1. Do you agree with the statement above that it’s possible to live much of our life as a cultural Christian without even being aware of it?

2. Based on your personal observations, do it seem to you that most people spend more time in the realm of cultural or Biblical Christianity?

3. What are practical steps we can take to transition from a cultural to a Biblical Christian?

4. Looking forward, what changes do you hope to see in your life as you shift towards a more engaged and Biblical Christianity? How do you envision this impacting your sense of fulfillment and purpose?