This past Sunday I preached from Ephesians 4:17-24 where Paul exhorts us to cling to Christ and the truth that is in Him by putting off our old selves, renewing our minds, and putting on our new selves, which are made in Jesus’ image. The apostle says roughly the same thing in a few other places as well.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Set you minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:2-3

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

Jesus Christ is the living embodiment of all that is good, acceptable, perfect, true, honorable, lovely, pure, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Our mind should be upon Him above all other things. The ever-enticing allure of today’s headlines will only rob us of our sanity and our joy if we do not chiefly meditate upon the goodness and sovereignty of our Lord. Indeed, without meditating long upon Christ through His Word, we will be in no position to respond to the troubles of the day with love, grace, and boldness. We need, therefore, to have our eyes fixed upon Jesus in the Scriptures more than upon the latest headlines.

Although the entirety of Scripture proclaims the excellencies of Christ, the I Am statements of Jesus in John’s Gospel are particularly fertile ground. Below are seven bottomless wells of living water. Drink deeply.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

John 6:35

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:9

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 11:25

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Notice within each of these that Jesus is our reward and our treasure. He is our nourishment, feast, and sustenance. He is the very light by which we see and comprehend the world that was made through Him and by Him and for Him. He is the entrance into the Kingdom of God. He is our great Provider. He is our life and eternal paradise. He is the abundant life that He gives to us. He is everything heavenly about Heaven.

Brothers and sisters, think endlessly about this one thing, for He is our soul’s eternal delight.