Tag: A Word for Wednesday

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Echoes of Authority

Our president called my boss and me into his office one day with some good news: my boss was being promoted to be our vice president of underwriting, and I would become the corporate officer over our business insurance operation. It was a milestone moment, a mixed blend of affirmation, humility, and the eager anticipation of new possibilities. As we turned to leave, the president asked me to stay another minute. Then one-on-one he counseled me, “Paul, from now on, everything you say will echo ten times louder throughout the company.” He need not have said another word, for I knew instantly what he meant: position carries authority, and authority demands responsibility — wield it wisely. “Thank you,” I replied, “I understand.”

Before returning to Heaven, Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”1 He spoke of that granted to Him by His Father, adding this imperative for disciples both then and now: “Therefore go.”2 We live in Christ, and He sends us in His authority into a fallen world with a command — foster followers, baptize believers, and teach them truth.3 Through His words, Jesus had modeled a submitted life: “I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.”4 Jesus subjected His actions, as well, saying “The Son . . . does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”5 How easy it is for us to esteem Jesus’ submission comfortably at arms’ length — inspired, yet stationary — but God sends us forth also with the same expectations: to speak and act under His authority. So Peter likewise instructs, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”6

So how do we effectively live as stewards of eternal riches, the gospel? I think it starts here: “In your hearts, revere Christ as Lord.”7 Paul likewise directs our focus upward, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”8 This is our relational foundation for the fruitful journey of an obedient life. Daily in the Word and constant in prayer, we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”9 and we present ourselves to God as approved workers with no need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.10 Then “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”11 So go in the authority of Christ. And echo the good news loudly (loudly . . . loudly . . . loudly . . . ).

Father, prepare and lead me to share the gospel through words and deeds. Grace me to do Your work in humility, faith, confidence, and great joy. Be glorified. In Christ I pray. Amen.

1 Matthew 28:18 NIV
2 Matthew 28:19 NIV
3 Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
4 John 12:49-50 NLT
5 John 5:19 NLT
6 1 Peter 4:11 NIV
7 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
8 Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
9 2 Peter 3:18 ESV
10 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
11 Colossians 3:17 NIV

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A Cuppa Joy

My friend Andy wasn’t a coffee drinker; he’d never made it part of his daily routine. But this changed over time, and Andy told me how. “I saw people’s expressions upon taking their first morning sip: that deep, satisfying sigh — ‘aah’ — rising up from within and the eyes drifting back in their heads,” he said, “And whatever caused this daily experience, I wanted that.” It wasn’t the coffee that initially drew Andy, but the palpable pleasure it brought about in others.

God draws people to Himself, meeting each of us right where we are in life. Some struggling under the burden of remorse find freedom and release in the forgiveness of God through the sacrifice of Christ. Others searching for the meaning of life finally find their answers in God’s Word. Then there are those drawn to God by the warmth of peace and the aroma of joy wafting out from those born anew in the Spirit — those who, in Christ, have found “the life that is truly life.”1 This was my story: I saw in others an undeniable change for good — deep-down transformation — and whatever it was that caused this experience, I wanted it.

Our allure is both Biblical and spiritual. As Paul taught the Corinthians, so he teaches us today: “God . . . uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of [Christ] everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ.”2 God is pleased with all who believe in His Son and pleased to attract others through us. Jesus says it is a matter of identity: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden . . .In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”3

But we don’t always feel peaceful or joyful when we want to, and sometimes we just don’t want to. So what do we do then? Do we put on our best face, a Christian costume of sorts? No, we do much better to steep in the source of our joy: God’s unshakable love for us. Jesus explains: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”4

So savor a sip of God’s love for you — ahh! — and share with others a cuppa joy.

Father, You are our joy. Pour out Your Spirit, that we would gladly overflow to others the love and life we’ve found in Christ Jesus, Your Son. In His name we pray. Amen.

1 1 Timothy 6:19 NIV
2 2 Corinthians 4:14-15 NIV
3 Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
4 John 15:9-11 ESV

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Love’s Pure Light

“Tis the season of angels, or so it seems. It was an angel who told a young Mary about the child she would bear, and several times did angels guide her husband, Joseph, as well. To the shepherds on the night-shift appeared an entire host of them, all heralding the Messiah’s birth. What an experience! But did you ever notice people’s oft-fearful responses to angelic encounters throughout the Bible? Daniel was “set trembling on his hands and knees.”1 Soldiers guarding Jesus’ tomb “shook and became like dead men.”2 The shepherds were “terrified”3 that first Noel, and when an angel appeared to Cornelius, the Roman officer “stared at him in fear.”4 Then there’s Gideon, who thought he would die. Literally.5

But these were only ministering angels, celestial servants. God speaks so of them: “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”6 Then if the appearance of God’s messengers is so overpowering as to cower the bravest among us, how unimaginably more so must be the presence of our holy God? Even the vision of Him overwhelmed John in the Revelation given to him: “When I saw [Jesus], I fell at his feet as though dead.”7 What a predicament: God’s eyes are “too pure to look on evil,”8 and “man may not see [Him] and live.”9 Not in this world, anyway. God is pure by nature, and by nature we are not.

Yet how did the angels so often reply? “Don’t be afraid.” For God is for us. He will judge, yes, but His desire for us is not condemnation, but purity, restoration, and friendship. Hear Jesus’ heart as He intercedes for us in the eve of his crucifixion: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.10 God wants us to be with Him and to see Him in full glory. And John says He has made it possible: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”11 Jesus shed His blood, sacrificed His life, to purify our life, and thus purified, we will see the glory of Christ — “Son of God, love’s pure light.”12 We need not be afraid.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Father, thank You for purifying us through Your Son, Jesus the Messiah. Bring us into Your presence in Your time through Jesus, the way. May we see His glory and rejoice before Him forever. Amen.

1 Daniel 10:10 NIV
2 Matthew 28:4 NIV
3 Luke 2:9 NIV
4 Acts 10:4 NIV
5 Judges 6:22-23
6 Hebrews 1:7 ESV (see also Psalm 104:7)
7 Revelation 1:17 ESV
8 Habakkuk 1:13 NIV
9 Exodus 33:20 NIV
10 John 17:24 NIV
11 1 John 1:7 NIV
12 Joseph Mohr, “Silent Night,” Hymnal.net, accessed: December 23, 2025.