January 22, 2023 · Acts 28:30–31

Only Eyes for Jesus

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

“It is so easy to get distracted by things. Even family — I have realized that. Jesus comes first. Jesus actually said to us that we need to love him more than our mother and father. Which is a big deal, because he tells us, if you do not love your mother and father, you are in big trouble. But you have to love him more. He was — on the first — to say, "If you do not hate your sister, brother" — for him — he is like, "Oh, Jesus, what kind of language is this?" He is very serious about it. And I started thinking, why would you say that? I have to hate my family member, compared to how much I love Jesus. And what I started thinking about this a lot was — I was supposed to hate my children? He is trying to get — out. He literally tells us to love your neighbours. He is not telling you to hate. What he is trying to point out is that you need to put him first. And there is a reason for that. Because you are best at loving your children, best at loving your parents, best at loving your siblings, best at loving your friends, best at loving your church, when you are loving him first. They get all the — residue — effects of it. So you love Jesus first. It is a powerful thing. And so I need to focus on Jesus. I didn't realize that.”