Simplifying one's life and adopting Jesus' practices can lead to experiencing peace and transformation.
Being aware of the Holy Spirit's presence allows individuals to develop a deeper perception of God's presence and live a fruitful relationship with Jesus.
Deep dives
Living as an Apprentice of Jesus
The podcast episode explores the idea of being an apprentice of Jesus, where one's life is centered around three goals: being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. The episode emphasizes the importance of arranging one's life to align with the lifestyle of Jesus and adopting His practices. It suggests that by simplifying one's life, spending time in silence and solitude, and engaging in spiritual disciplines or practices, individuals can experience the peace and transformative power of Jesus in their lives.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The podcast highlights the significance of the Holy Spirit in being with Jesus today. It explains that the Holy Spirit is the means by which individuals can experience a constant awareness of and connection to Jesus. By living in a state of awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence, individuals can develop a deeper and clearer perception of God's presence in their daily lives, leading to a life characterized by peace, transformation, and a fruitful relationship with Jesus.
Living an Unbusy Life
The episode challenges the prevalent busyness and over-busyness in today's fast-paced world. It suggests simplifying one's life and making intentional commitments to create space for practices of Jesus such as silence, solitude, prayer, fasting, and Sabbath-keeping. A life centered around Jesus' example of unhurriedness, community, and simplicity can lead to a healthier and more peaceful existence, bringing individuals closer to the life and fullness offered by Jesus.
Arranging Life Around Jesus' Lifestyle
The podcast emphasizes the importance of arranging one's life around the templet set by Jesus' lifestyle. It suggests that by adopting Jesus' practices, reorienting priorities, and aligning daily routines and habits, individuals can experience the peace, transformation, and abundance of life that Jesus exemplified. By focusing on living as Jesus did, individuals can cultivate a deep connection with God and experience the fruit that comes from abiding in Jesus, such as love, joy, and peace.
How do we abide? It seems straightforward, but we often struggle to put it into practice. This week, John Mark tackles this problem as we continue in the Practicing the Way vision series. In this episode, John Mark teaches about the importance of spending time with Jesus. Using key scriptures and church history examples to give a tangible vision of how to “practice the presence of God,” John Mark shows that through abiding, we have access to the peace and joy that Jesus promised as we adopt the spiritual disciplines that Jesus exemplified.
Key Scripture Passages: John 1v35-49; John 14v16-15v8; Galatians 5v13-26