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It’s exhilarating, even worshipful, to be immersed in a God-made world normally beyond our reach. Years ago, while snorkeling in deep water with one of my daughters and some friends, we suddenly heard the melodic sounds of whales. We floated nearly motionless as the sounds grew louder and louder.

According to David, the greatest thing we can ask of God is to gaze upon His beauty: “One thing I have asked from Yahweh, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Yahweh and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4, LSB).

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Jesus could have gone on—fires consume, floods destroy, inflation erodes, governments tax, enemies attack, investments go sour. No earthly treasure is safe.

Last year, I was a guest on the Building Excellence Podcast with Bailey Miles. Bailey asked me some great questions, including about coming to faith, how I got into ministry, and my experience of becoming a writer. We also talked about mentorship, stewardship, sports, and adversity.

On Super Bowl Sunday, LifeNews.com posted about Seattle Seahawks LB Derick Hall, who was born at 23 weeks. Derick’s story reminds me of former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, and how the doctors in the Philippines said he needed to be aborted or his mother would die. 

A thief on the cross asked Jesus to save him (Luke 23:40-43). He had nothing to offer Christ, no way to pay Him back. He could not make restitution or be baptized. He couldn’t give to the temple, care for the poor, tell people about Jesus, or take communion.

God intends us to love our animals—of course, not more than we love people—but still, that love is God-given. The pain of letting our pets go is great because God made them to be precious to us.

One of the most arresting statements in Scripture is this one: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV). The context of this passage shows that in the midst of a world that groans under suffering and evil, God’s main concern is conforming His children to the image of Christ.

Leaders should never use God’s flock to build their kingdoms and reputations in order to further themselves. Rather, they should set the example of humble service. We need more humble leaders, not self-promoting celebrities who know nothing of the servant-leader model exemplified by Christ.

What thrilled these expectant believers in Hebrews 11 was not that God would rule in Heaven—He already did. They dreamed of the time that He would rule here on Earth, removing sin, death, suffering, poverty, and heartache. They trusted that the Messiah would come and bring Heaven with Him.

Life will only be lived well by those who look for the rewards of a life well lived. No one grows close to God unless that person believes that drawing close to God has a payoff: “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

I’ve been collecting quotations about Jesus for years. Here are some on His deity, beginning with the inspired words of John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

This parable serves as a warning to all of us. Jesus applies the rich fool’s experience to that of others: “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

Scripture gives us this command: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). “All” includes exercise—so I ride my bike to God’s glory, and worship Him while joyfully playing tennis and snorkeling. My thanks to David Mathis, author of A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul, for giving us five helpful reminders in this new year about how to glorify God through our exercise.