Christian Life

The Son Who Came To Make Sons: How He Arrived (Galatians 4:4c)

The book of Galatians is one of Paul's earliest works. In it, he combatted the idea that faith plus works lead to salvation. He warned his audience about the danger…

Nate HoldridgeDecember 13, 2022

Christian Life

Who Is This Man?—Jesus Is The Christ (Mark 8:27-29)

As readers of Mark's gospel, we already know. Mark used his first words to introduce us to Jesus. His first words were: *"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ,…

Nate HoldridgeDecember 8, 2022

Christian Life

The Son Who Came To Make Sons: Where He Arrived From (Galatians 4:4b)

The book of Galatians is one of Paul's earliest works. In it, he combatted the idea that faith plus works lead to salvation. He warned his audience about the danger…

Nate HoldridgeDecember 6, 2022

Christian Life

The Son Who Came To Make Sons: When He Arrived (Galatians 4:4a)

The book of Galatians is one of Paul's earliest works. In it, he combatted the idea that faith plus works lead to salvation. He warned his audience about the danger…

Nate HoldridgeNovember 29, 2022

Christian Life

Be Shaped by Jesus’ Power (Mark 8:16-21)

While Jesus warned the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, the disciples worried that they had no bread. They'd only brought one loaf with them, and they…

Nate HoldridgeNovember 17, 2022

Christian Life

Be Shaped by Jesus’ Style (Mark 8:11–15)

It seems ironic that the Pharisees wanted Jesus to perform a sign from heaven right after he miraculously fed four thousand people. They didn't want a miracle—they knew Jesus was…

Nate HoldridgeNovember 10, 2022

Christian Life

4 Strategies To Help You Parent Adult Children

Christina and I are in a season of preparation, readying ourselves for the inevitable departure into adulthood of all our daughters. With our first recently off to college, we have…

Nate HoldridgeNovember 9, 2022

Christian Life

Be Shaped by Jesus’ Compassion (Mark 8:1-10)

If this episode sounds familiar, it's because Jesus has already fed a large crowd of five thousand earlier in Mark (6:30-44). And there are many similarities between this miraculous feeding…

Nate HoldridgeNovember 3, 2022

Christian Life

The Man of War: Exodus 15:1-3

When Christ called the church of Ephesus back to its first love, he called all of us back to ours (Revelation 2:4-5). Years of church services and small groups, decades…

Nate HoldridgeOctober 31, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus Unlocks Our Senses (Mark 7:31-37)

Here, Jesus goes through Sidon perhaps on a brief missions tour, before heading to the region of the Decapolis. Once there, a group of people begged Jesus to lay his…

Nate HoldridgeOctober 27, 2022

Christian Life

Prayer Aim: To Know God Better

When the Apostle Paul prayed, what did he ask God to do? This question is not meant to regulate or confine our prayers but to sharpen and elevate them. (3…

Nate HoldridgeOctober 26, 2022

Christian Life

Approach Jesus With Faith for a Supply of His Grace (Mark 7:27–30)

Anyone can partake of Christ, but everyone who does must come with an expectation of grace. If you come with demands built on your own worthiness, if you come with…

Nate HoldridgeOctober 20, 2022

Christian Life

Anyone Can Partake of Christ (Mark 7:24-26)

God had promised Abraham, centuries earlier, that in him *all the families of the earth would be blessed*, and Jesus came to bring that multi-national blessing by his blood (Genesis…

Nate HoldridgeOctober 13, 2022

Christian Life

Pay Attention to Your Listeners (Acts 14:8–10)

During their first ministry trip together, Paul and Barnabas arrived in a city named Lystra. As Paul addressed a small gathering, a man sat near him. Born without the ability…

Nate HoldridgeOctober 12, 2022

Christian Life

Revolution of the Heart, Part 3: Cleanness Comes From Christ’s Effort (Mark 7:18–23)

Every nation, people group, political party, and educational system is populated by broken people. Even the best-laid plans and philosophies are tainted by the sinful hearts of humanity. This is…

Nate HoldridgeOctober 6, 2022

Christian Life

Revolution of the Heart, Part 2: Human Efforts for Cleanness Produce Hypocrisy (Mark 7:6–17)

Human efforts for cleanness produce hypocrisy. Why? Because we can't really change ourselves, because the problem is with the heart. (4 Minutes/900 Words)

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 29, 2022

Christian Life

Behold One Another (John 19:26-27)

During the six hours of torment on the cross, Jesus spoke sparingly—to his Father, those around him, the thief next to him, and, here in John 19, to his mother…

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 28, 2022

Christian Life For Pastors

50 Healthy Church Leader Tips

Having grown up in a church planting pastor's home, I love pastors and church leaders and strive to help them in any way I can. I recently wrote an article…

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 26, 2022

Christian Life

Revolution of the Heart, Part 1: Cleanness Does Not Come by Human Effort (Mark 7:1–5)

After reading this opening paragraph, you'd be forgiven for thinking this has nothing to do with our modern time. I assure you, this passage has much to do with life…

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 23, 2022

Christian Life

The Struggle for Obedience, Part 4: Understand What He’s Done (Mark 6:51-52)

Here we have a summary report about Jesus' healing ministry. This report is Mark's way of giving us a sense of the general atmosphere surrounding Jesus' life at that time…

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 15, 2022

Christian Life For Pastors

Leaders, Love God’s People (Proverbs 27:23)

In biblical times, shepherds had to scout and prepare distant lands for their sheep. During the brutal summer months, it was vital for the flock to have a safe, cool…

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 14, 2022

Christian Life

The Struggle for Obedience, Part 3: Know Who He Is (Mark 6:48-51)

This whole movement hints that this is a moment where the disciples are interacting with the divine. How do we know this passage is meant to show us Jesus is…

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 8, 2022

Christian Life

The Struggle for Obedience, Part 2: Learn How Hard Obedience Is With Only Your Strength (Mark 6:47-48)

Perhaps you've had a similar experience. You've read something in the Bible, an area to obey, and set out to do it. Good work. But, perhaps just as quickly, you…

Nate HoldridgeSeptember 1, 2022

Christian Life

God’s Diet (Leviticus 11:1-2)

Good parents realize their kids don't yet have the maturity required to make healthy nutritional choices. As the adult in the room, they give proper guidance and boundaries until the…

Nate HoldridgeAugust 31, 2022

Christian Life

The Struggle for Obedience, Part 1: Go Where He Directs You (Mark 6:45-46)

Believers who allow God's word access to their lives realize there are always new areas of obedience for which we struggle. God's word is like a mirror that enables you…

Nate HoldridgeAugust 25, 2022

Christian Life

How Jesus Shepherds You (Mark 6:33-44)

Imagine being there. Put yourself in the scene. Imagine wishing so badly to see Jesus that, when you heard that was his boat out on the water, and when you…

Nate HoldridgeAugust 17, 2022

Christian Life

Pruned by the Father (John 15:2)

When Jesus referred to "every branch that does bear fruit," he was alluding to all true believers. Every true believer in Christ is cleansed and pruned by the Father so…

Nate HoldridgeAugust 11, 2022

Christian Life

Working on Team Jesus (Mark 6:7-32)

Our passage today will end with this statement: the apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught (Mark 6:30). It is one of only…

Nate HoldridgeAugust 10, 2022

Christian Life

How To Be the Church in a Secular Community (Jeremiah 29:4-9)

Jeremiah had an unenviable task. Called by God at a young age, he was given the assignment of a doomsday prophet to a rebellious Israel. For centuries—ever since they shifted…

Nate HoldridgeAugust 4, 2022

Christian Life

How To Unleash Jesus’ Mighty Work in Your Life (Mark 6:1-6)

The story before us is one of the most terrifying in all the gospel accounts. Jesus visits his hometown of Nazareth (1), and they are astonished at his words and…

Nate HoldridgeAugust 3, 2022

Christian Life

When Jesus Moves Slowly (Mark 5:21-43)

We know believers are called to "put on...patience" (Colossians 3:12). We know the Bible is filled with related words -- long-suffering, endurance, steadfastness, and waiting. But this waiting with patience…

Nate HoldridgeJuly 27, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus the Rescuer (Mark 5:1-20)

A legion of demons, a herd of pigs plummeting off a cliff, and a man living in a graveyard on the outskirts of town—these are the shocking images of this…

Nate HoldridgeJuly 20, 2022

Christian Life

Christ and the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

This episode is an identity account—one where the disciples come to terms with Jesus' identity. In this story, they gain a massive clue he is the God of Glory, the…

Nate HoldridgeJuly 13, 2022

Christian Life

The Unstoppable Word of Christ, Part 3 – It Started Small But Will End Massive (Mark 4:30-32)

During his day, some were tempted to despise the small things as they tried to rebuild the temple in Israel (Zechariah 4:10). It seemed like a small work, but God…

Nate HoldridgeJuly 6, 2022

Christian Life

The Unstoppable Word of Christ, Part 2 – It Will Produce a Harvest (Mark 4:26-29)

As believers, this parable should encourage you to patiently hope for God's kingdom to come. Sometimes it feels as if no one is listening, no one wants Jesus, and no…

Nate HoldridgeJune 29, 2022

Christian Life

The Unstoppable Word of Christ, Part 1 – It Is Not Hidden (Mark 4:21-25)

Have you ever been disappointed by unmet expectations? I remember a day in my childhood when I built up an expectation but never voiced it, and it led to my…

Nate HoldridgeJune 22, 2022

Christian Life

Accept the Message of Jesus and His Kingdom (Mark 4:1-20)

Many modern people think Jesus used parables to make everything clearer. As we will see today, Jesus did not use parables that way. They were not a preaching trick for…

Nate HoldridgeJune 15, 2022

Christian Life

Believe the Right Things About Jesus (Mark 3:20-35)

Mark sets up our next scene by pointing out two separate groups, Jesus' family and the scribes. But before looking at each group and their response to Christ, Mark is…

Nate HoldridgeJune 8, 2022

Christian Life

Dealing With Chaotic Times (Mark 3:7-19)

Many parts of this week’s passage are familiar to us. Jesus is presented as being famous far and wide. People from everywhere all come to see Jesus. We know why…

Nate HoldridgeJune 1, 2022

Christian Life

Seeing God Correctly: God Offers Restoration (Mark 3:1-6)

Many of us sense personal brokenness within. We are embarrassed by bad habits, unreasonable emotions, broken relationships, and personal failures. We sense that we are not everything we are supposed…

Nate HoldridgeMay 25, 2022

Christian Life

Seeing God Correctly: God Is Angered by Dead Religion (Mark 3:1-6)

It is amazing how religious leaders would not answer Jesus' questions. He'd asked, Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or…

Nate HoldridgeMay 18, 2022

Christian Life

Seeing God Correctly: God Is Compelled To Do Good (Mark 3:1-6)

So one Sabbath Jesus again went to church, to the synagogue, to the public meeting. Mark says, a man was there with a withered hand. Luke, who was a doctor,…

Nate HoldridgeMay 11, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus’ Atmosphere of Grace (Mark 2:23-28)

As we continue our study of Mark, it is becoming evident that Jesus' way is far different than that of the religious leaders who came before him. He offered forgiveness…

Nate HoldridgeMay 4, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus Joy (Mark 2:9-22)

By this point in Mark, it has become increasingly clear that Jesus' coming was a massive event. He was not just another leader with fresh religious claims. He did not…

Nate HoldridgeApril 27, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus Is the Friend of Sinners, Part 3 (Mark 2:13-17) — He Calls Sinners

Somehow, a group of scribes of the Pharisees saw what Jesus was doing. We've already seen scribes in Mark's gospel; they were in the house when Jesus forgave the paralyzed…

Nate HoldridgeApril 20, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus Is the Friend of Sinners, Part 2 (Mark 2:13–17) — His Kingdom Is for Sinners

Now, the day of salvation in your life should be a day of celebration, and that's how Levi saw things. He invited Jesus to his house and invited his friends,…

Nate HoldridgeApril 13, 2022

Christian Life

Groaning for Resurrection (Romans 8:18-25)

Nearly 2,000 years ago, on a Sunday morning a couple of days removed from the Passover, in Israel, a group of women went to a tomb. Their beloved teacher, leader,…

Nate HoldridgeApril 11, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus Is the Friend of Sinners, Part 1 (Mark 2:13–17) – He Calls People Like Levi

The first time Jesus spoke in Mark's gospel, he said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).…

Nate HoldridgeApril 6, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus Fills Our True Need (Mark 2:1-12)

The story pivots us from the introductory days of Jesus' ministry to the controversial ones. We know Jesus wasn't popular with all people at all times—he was, after all, crucified.…

Nate HoldridgeMarch 30, 2022

Christian Life

Jesus Has Authority Over All Spiritual Uncleanness (Mark 1:35-45)

Mark doesn't refer often to Jesus' prayer life, but when he does Jesus is alone, and his ministry is in the balance. In the garden of Gethsemane, Mark presents Jesus…

Nate HoldridgeMarch 23, 2022

Christian Life740

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