In this episode we reflect on another importance component of living a Jesus centered life. It has to do with where you live or dwell or abide.   It's found in John 15:1-5: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.   4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.   Being centered on Jesus = living attached to Jesus. It means living in and with and connected to Jesus.   Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Think about your life …  -what makes up your life? -who are you?  -what matters in life? -where do you get your guidance and instruction for life? -how do you evaluate the value and success of your life? We typically think we have the right to determine the answers to these kinds of questions. It's our life, after all.  But as a disciple of Jesus, all of that changes. Our life is not our own. In fact, we should think of ourselves as dead ... but alive! This is how Paul describes his view of life once he came to faith in Jesus: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20 If you thought of your life this way, how would it change the way you approach your life?   Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

"How can my son keep his life centered on Jesus?" That was what the text said.  Why would she want her son's life to be centered on Jesus? Because she believed his life would be better if it was. As Andy Stanley has said, "Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life."  So … What does it mean to live life centered on Jesus? And how can we do it?    Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

How do you know what God is like?  Do we just guess?  Hope we get it right?  Give up concluding we could never know? In this episode, I offer another Christmas reflection by looking at John 1:14: "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth." Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

The "Christmas story" of Jesus' birth reminds us that God isn't an ivory tower God. He isn't one who keeps away from the peasants up in His luxurious castle. He's a God of the ordinary in the midst of the ordinary.  This episode reflects on Hebrews 2:14-17 which tells us that Jesus' becoming 100% human was absolutely necessary to God's plan of rescue and renewal.  Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

What is the key to a life of peace and joy?  In this episode I offer a simple reflection on how I would answer that question.    Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

The story of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16 is one of the more well-known stories in Acts. The whole story is powerful but there's a little detail that we often overlook. Paul could've avoided going to jail if he simply announced that he was a Roman citizen ... but he said nothing.  At least at first.  Then the next day, after he was beaten with rods, he announces it. Why this delay? And what does it teach us about following Jesus?  Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Your life is uniquely prepared by God for his honor. This is abundantly clear in the case of Saul (aka the apostle Paul). He was born a Jew in a major Greek city with Roman citizenship. Mix all that together and Saul was the perfect person to be the apostle to the Gentiles. If only he'd surrender it all to Jesus!  And he did.  And you? Your background and experiences can be used by God is unique ways to bring him glory too ... if only you surrender all to him as well.  Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Saul's (the apostle Paul) conversion is one of the most dramatic stories in the book of Acts and certainly one of the most important conversions in all of Christian history.  But beyond being an amazing story, it has an important lesson for us. In fact, later in his life, Paul invites us to learn from his conversion and imitate the impact it had on his life (see Philippians 3:12-17).  Tune in to hear Paul's story and what it means for your life.  Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Acts 5:1-11 contains one of the most shocking stories in the New Testament. It's the story of Ananias and Sapphira and it's a story we need to listen to. Luke has included this story to teach us a powerful lesson about the greatest threat to the effectiveness and progress of the church.    Check out the Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Connect with me: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.