I’ve been studying Jesus’ statements, “It is finished” and “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Two truths the Spirit has given me thus far are: Jesus is both God and Savior. This might not sound earth shattering to you, but think about it for a second.
As God, He took all the world’s burdens and cares, which includes ours, upon His shoulders. Why do we give them so much head time? As Savior, He took the responsibility to make humanity whole (i.e. save). Why are we sweating the process?
Based on those truths, we can relax and simply listen and follow Him throughout our day. He’s got everything else under complete control.
Choose to let Jesus be God and Savior today by downloading all the stuff that rattles around in your head onto His shoulders. Then go out and enjoy His presence, no matter where you go. He made life that easy!
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Now Is Good
There’s no time like the present to start is a phrase I heard growing up. As kids, we’d get lazy about doing our chores or homework assignments; and then, we’d be reminded that if we got them done now, we could enjoy playing later.
When it comes to walking with Jesus, you may have been putting off something He’s been asking you to do. But, there’s no time like the present to get started. You can waste more time missing out on the joy and peace He brings or you can actually follow Him now.
Yes, there will be all kinds of excuses to overcome in getting started. Yet, you can go with them or with Jesus. It’s your choice. The walk with Jesus is more than worth it.
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Who Cares?
A friend of mine wrote, “Joseph knew that if he dared to touch his master’s (Potiphar) wife, it would cause him to sin against his beloved God, and that grieved him more than anything.”
How often do we really think about how God feels? We get so focused on what we want to do and how we’re feeling that we don’t slow down to ask, “Will this action hurt the one I say I love?”
The English word love has been so abused lately as to lose its true meaning. One biblical definition is that love “does not insist on its own way.” Why? Because it hurts others!
Who cares when we decide to do our own thing? Jesus does. Yes, He is God and is self-sufficient. And yet, He still wept over the loss of a dear friend and the hurt it caused those who loved him. He cried despite knowing He was about to heal that hurt.
Jesus weeps. Let that soak into your thinking the next time you’re tempted to do, say or see something you shouldn’t.
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It’s Still Christmas
I was walking today with the tune “Silent Night” on my lips. It was the last phrase where the Spirit caught my attention. “Jesus, Lord at thy birth.” Jesus was birthed as God and man to live, die and live again forever to bring us freedom. He came into the world in that stinky animal cave so as to relate to people of all stripes and colors. He came and was LORD at birth on Christmas. He still is LORD today and He will remain so long into forever eternity.
We celebrated Jesus’ birth through singing, services, gift giving, family gatherings, etc. this past weekend. Now, let’s remember to celebrate His life through our daily love filled choices to follow Him. Ya know, He still is LORD.
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When Good is Bad
I had a great night’s sleep and just wanted to linger in a bed a little longer. I really sensed the Lord, however, telling me to get out and prayer walk at 7 AM. I ignored that call. Instead, I spent time under those warm covers praying. Then about 8 AM, I finally rolled out of bed and went on that walk.
Even though I was doing a “good thing” that could be backed up by Scripture, it was still disobedience! Why? I was in control doing what I wanted to do. There is a name for this. It’s called religion. Religion keeps the person in control and makes them feel better because they feel they are doing something good. Jesus has nothing to do with religion. He’s about His sheep listening and following Him.
We have an illustration of this in Exodus. After the Tabernacle was built, God’s presence filled it. This could be seen by a cloud by day and fire by night. When that cloud moved, the people were to break camp and follow. When it stopped, they were to stop and make camp. What if they decided to stay in their tent for some prayer time? They would be left behind at best and get lost at worse!
Tozer once said, “One compromise here, one there and the so-called Christian and the man of the world look the same.” What’s best for you and me is not going good, but listening and following our Shepherd.
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