Tony French Speaks

All of the other stories about Jesus were historical. But not this one, it is a story from the future. One that I long for.

Looking at several stories we see that Jesus was alive spiritually. He had a spirit and could interact with the spirit world. What a great gift!His apostles had this same ability. It is also meant for us. We have been given the Holy Spirit - bound to our spirit, so that we can be in touch with the spiritual world.

In another great story about Jesus, he healed a bunch of people one evening. The next morning, he went off to a solitary place to recover. His disciples were looking all over for him, and when they found him, they said "a great group of people are waiting for you back at the house". His response was classic "Let's go someplace else".Jesus was a master of soul care. He loved people and he helped many. But it was always a priority of his to take care of his own soul first.

Jesus just changes everything. He especially changed our relationship with God. In Jesus, we are to live in full union with God. Unity. Jesus is in the Father. We are in Jesus. Jesus is in us. We are one.That changes everything in the world.

Why did Jesus come? Like he said, he came to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and sight for the blind. To set the oppressed free! Jesus came to bring restoration to all things. 

As we look toward a new year, we have real hope for the future. Not wishful thinking, but promises from the living God. Promises that he keeps. We have hope!

One of the great stories about Jesus is about his birth. Born in a manager because there was no room at the inn.The birth was announced to some shepherds who nice society did not have any room for. But God had room for both Jesus and the shepherds. And it was a glorious announcement.

As we continuing telling stories about Jesus, we find many stories about restoration. Jesus restores things. And at the same time, we see in these stories that Jesus was limited to the form of a human, and as a result, his life was at risk. God intervened in a dream and told Joseph to run to Egypt. Joseph heard and obeyed. The life of Jesus was spared... 

Telling stories is a great way to get to know someone. Telling stories about Jesus is so revealing. Jesus is the best! Jesus is so much fun.

The best stories are always about Jesus. In this story we see that Jesus fiercely defends his people.

You've never met anyone like JesusIn this story we see ways that Jesus is so gracious to us. Here, he fed the people with 2 loaves and a few fish, that did not even belong to him. And they picked up more leftovers than they started with.

Jesus is just incredible. He takes something so mundane as being obedient and total changes it into a life giving act. 

Jesus is just incredible!His stories are the best, and they reveal someone to us that we really want to get to know. In this story, we see that Jesus is the beloved son, and that the enemy tries to steal that from him, just like he tries to steal our identity from us.

Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But unlike typical kings, Jesus was born to commoners and born in a barn. Have you ever seen a king like this?

Jesus has given us a new identity, and all of the spiritual blessings that come with it.Now we find ourselves in a world at war, evil has schemes for all of us. What are we to do?Stand Our Ground

As we near the conclusion of our reading of the Book of Ephesians, Paul has some closing remarks that are very important.We are to be strong in the Lord.The life we are living in the Kingdom requires much from us, we must be strong!

Because we have a new identity in Christ, everything about us changed, including our relationships. The Love of Jesus permeates everything about us. 

Jesus impacts every part of our lives, even our marriages. He has something to say on how we live together.Do you have the courage to live this way? It is the only way to life and freedom and joy!

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

There are all sorts of things you can give yourself to, and let them control you.Choose wisely, be filled with the Spirit, and let Him lead you.