The revelation of what Jesus did for us at the cross launches us into His joy, and His joy is the secret weapon of every believer. By serving Him with joy and gladness of heart, the joy that is in Him shields us from the enemy’s fiery darts of sorrow and depression. This joy not only strengthens us, it also gives us courage, making us bold and brave.
Jesus Christ
Hayley Braun
We can say we know the baker because he bakes our bread but do we really know him? We can say we know the cashier because he checks out our groceries, but do we really know him? We can say we know Jesus because he’s a refiner, he’s a transformer, he’s a deliverer, but do we know his hand of refinement, transformation, and deliverance?
Kathi Pelton
Bob Guier
Jesus was not crucified for being nice. He was crucified for being bold and confrontational. Don’t misunderstand. He was the kindest person who ever lived, but he wasn’t a sap. He knew when kindness and empathy were called for, but he also knew when it was time to get in someone’s face and tell them the truth. God has not called us to be nice. He has called us to be good. Nice people never confront evil and error; good people do.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
We name the name of the One who… makes fear and anxiety themselves tremble with fear and puts them to flight. We name the One who overcame fear and led it captive in the victory procession, who nailed it to the cross and committed it to oblivion; we name the One who is the shout of victory of humankind redeemed from the fear of death—Jesus Christ, the Crucified and Living One.
Bob Goff
One of the things I’ve learned following Jesus is how much He enjoyed being with people. Except for time with His Father, there seemed to be nothing He loved more. He didn’t just love the idea of being with people either, He actually loved being with them. A lot of people in the world stop being available at some point. It’s subtle, because it happens a little at a time and it’s not malicious or anything—it happens though. But Jesus wasn’t that way. He seemed to have more time for people as time went on, not less. That’s one of the things which makes love so powerful; it leaves us a way to find it.
John Piper
Long looking with admiration produces change. From your heroes you pick up mannerisms and phrases and tones of voice and facial expressions and habits and demeanors and convictions and beliefs. The more admirable the hero is and the more intense your admiration is, the more profound will be your transformation. In the case of Jesus, he is infinitely admirable, and our admiration rises to the most absolute worship. Therefore, when we behold him as we should, the change is profound.
Louie Giglio
It’s been said that you can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. Well, Jesus walked way more than a mile; He walked thirty-three years in human skin. He knows how hard life can be in a broken, sinful world. He knows how difficult it is to be part of that world and still remain connected to the Father.
But there’s something even more startling to realize. Not only did Jesus walk on earth and face the same struggles you face, but Jesus wants to walk with you. It’s why He created you, so you can know Him and make Him known.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Samuel Logan Brengle
We judge trees by their fruit, and so we judge Jesus, and then we can find out what kind of a heart He had. We find in Him love; therefore Jesus had a loving heart. He bore the luscious fruit of perfect love. There was no hatred with His love, no venom, no spite, no selfishness; He loved His enemies and prayed for His murderers. It was not a fickle love, turning about every new moon, but a changeless, eternal love. “I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3.)