Author: Jon Wellman

“Jesus is a person.”

This quote does seem strange, doesn’t it? We often want to think of Jesus as a foreign entity, absent from our lives, not caring what we think, feel, need, or do. We want Jesus to fit into our definition of Him.

That quote comes from Your Own Jesus by Mark Hall, in which he uses practical (and sometimes mind-blowing) illustrations and wonderful writing to compel the reader to develop a relationship with the REAL Jesus, not the Jesus we want Him to be.

The most gripping aspect of this book is the way it incorporates lyrics from Casting Crowns’ songs into the text, giving even more life to songs that already have lives of their own. We get to see the insight and inspiration behind the music.

This book unpacks powerful truth in a language that is accessible to all. If you have ever seen a Casting Crowns concert or heard Mark Hall speak, you will hear his voice on every page. He delivers the reality of Jesus in a concise and multi-faceted way. But he doesn’t stop at letting us know who Jesus is: Mark shows us how our lives should look BECAUSE of who He is. Sin, repentance and forgiveness, living a Godly life, commitment, accountability, prayer, evangelism… it’s all in there.

This book will stretch your understanding of our Savior. A must read.

I was having a conversation with a member of the praise band at my church this past Sunday while we were setting the platform for the second service. I was saying how disappointing it is when believers are told that, based on the Bible, there are areas of concern in their lives. But because they want to keep doing it, they say something like this: “Well, I know it’s wrong, but…”

That’s when I said it: “Your BUT is sin.”

We laughed about it at first. But then I got to thinking: anytime we are confronted with the truth of the holy, infallible Word of God and our lives are being lived contrary to the teaching of the Scripture, we have no defense or excuse to continue in said behavior. In other words, whatever we have to say that follows the word “but” in the scenario above is a defense of sin and needs to be reconciled.

You often hear Christians say, “God said it; I believe it; that settles it.” Well, the fact is that it doesn’t much matter whether or not we believe it. If God says it, THAT SETTLES IT. And the same goes for sin. Sin is not up for debate. The Bible is not Wikipedia: we can’t submit revisions.

The Bible says that we are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers (James 1:22-25). When confronted with sin in our lives, we have no defense. The only way to a close relationship with God is to do business with Him as soon as we are aware of behaviors that are contrary to His Word. Our preferences, opinions, habits, predispositions, and misconceptions don’t mean a thing if they don’t stand up to the scrutiny of the inspired Word of God.

This is why it is so important to be in the Word on a consistent basis. We can’t know what God says if we don’t know His Word. That is also why preachers of the Gospel have to be steadfast in proclaiming what the Bible says, unashamed and unafraid.

Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. Psalm 119:5-6

Hebrews 6:13 – “he (God) had no one greater by whom to swear,”

This passage (Hebrews 6:13-20) hit me over the head the other day! I love, for lack of a better word, the CONFIDENCE of God exhibited here. Paul is saying that there is no one higher than God. When God made His covenant with Abraham, He had no choice but to unilaterally swear an oath upon the Most High, Himself

God’s promises and His oath are sure. Humans fail. We have all dealt with broken promises and unmet expectations. This shapes our point of view. Thankfully, God is not subject to our perceptions. We can hold fast to His promises supported by His oath.

There are those that go through trials that come to the conclusion that God does not keep His promises. I believe, if we were honest, we would all have to admit that we think this way from time to time. We see our situations through our narrow perspectives and think, “God must have messed up.” Well, He didn’t, He can’t… He won’t.

God does not want His children to go through uncertainty. He wants us to rely on Him as the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” Jesus Christ went before us and, through His ultimate sacrifice, allows us to commune with our Father. His coming was promised even before Adam and Eve were sent out of Eden (Genesis 3), and that promise, like every other, was kept.

Our God is faithful. What He says, He will do. There is confidence to be had if we REALLY GRASP that truth. He knows all about our struggles. He listens. He cares. He answers prayer. He loves us. He wants His best for us. And He can’t fail.

“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”