Despite the time, energy, and money we give to choosing and announcing names, this only hints at why God thinks your name is important.

In today’s chaotic days, people are looking for someone to shepherd us to a peaceful and prosperous future. The same was true in the time of the ancient prophets.

The Pharisees saw themselves as the protectors of the flock offering access to the safety of the Father’s protection. But Jesus affirmed then—and now—that he is the only way.

The need to belong is as universal as all humankind and as timeless as all of history. And the little epistle of 1 John tells us how to meet it.

Admit God is God, admit he is good and good all the time, and admit his love is permanent. It isn’t going anywhere. We can depend on him every day and in every situation, the good, the tough, and even the terrible.

The ways we vary can hardly be counted: age, gender, cultural, community, race, and more. But the one we worship and the mission we share all center around just one name.

The apostle John gives us a hint in the fourth Gospel of the attempts and desires of some religious leaders who simply wanted the teaching of Jesus to go away.

Jesus’ offer of living water is for far more than parched lips. And we can be carriers of this blessing to our world today.

He had given his whole life on behalf of this one, but still he doubted if he was THE One. We can relate.

They were looking for little more than just another meal. How often could something similar be said of us?

Sooner or later, all of us confront the question of enough. And Jesus always, always shows us the answer.

Three stories in two chapters lead us to one inescapable message. The grace and power of Jesus are for everyone, and for today.

“He told me all that I ever did.” Suppose someone knew you that well? How would you expect them to respond to you?

On the face of it, this was a conversation that should have gone nowhere. But Jesus employed approaches that led to a life-changing result.

When John the Baptist said, “He must increase and I must decrease,” he demonstrated that Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life and that the disciples (and everyone else!) needed to spend time with Jesus.

Jesus, the Light of the World, who created light from the beginning, will be a presence and power in our lives today.

They were simply offering the hospitality expected of them, but soon they realized they’d had an encounter like none other.

Sometimes we do not realize that we have in fact had an encounter with Jesus who is living inside of the person who helps us.

I need my friends. I highly value my friends. But none of them can offer me what Jesus brings.

I love my routines. But Isaiah reminds us that God is doing a new thing, a new thing Jesus has ushered in for us to experience today.