Natural disasters. Man-made horrors. Illness. Loss. Death. The Christian music that usually has me dancing didn’t lift my spirit. The words of my Bible, inspired by God, felt like just words, not His voice speaking to me. I knew they both contained God’s Truth, but I didn’t feel connected. I felt sad. However, I continued to read. I continued to listen. I continued to pray. And over the period of several days my heart kept coming back to “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).
So I reread a history in the Bible known for Lazarus’ resurrection and the Power of God on display to bring people to faith in Jesus. I watched, through my mind’s eye, the replay of events because it was important to them and it’s relevant to me now (John 11). Before the resurrection of Lazarus there was pain, because there was death, not unlike the world around me. I invite you to join me as we “watch” Jesus meet everyone where they are in their faith and emotional level to bring those who are willing into wholeness through faith in Him. Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting calligraphy of chapter 11:1-45 of the Gospel of John (World English Bible) to Be Blessed Prayer. I pray that through it God will speak to your heart, that your faith in the Living God, Jesus Christ, will be strengthened, and you will completely trust Him as Savior. To God be the glory, Sarah
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He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Matthew 16:15-16 WEB One of the most important questions in history was asked on an ordinary day in an ordinary place. “But who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked His disciples (Matthew 16:15, emphasis added). Only one disciple answered. Peter spoke boldly and with leading from God the Father, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16 WEB).
Our answer to this question, “But who do you say that I am?” will define the course of our moments, our days, our lives, and the course of our eternity. One day as I was preparing my Bible journaling to share with you on Be Blessed Prayer I prayed that God would give me the verse He wanted to share for your hearts. I didn’t pray for mine. How prideful! But as I slowed down and worked through outlining a verse that has been a defining question of my life I was convicted that this isn’t a question I can rush through. “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked His disciples. “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks me today. He asks you, too. My answer has varied over time. Some moments my answer is “You are God.” Sometimes my answer is “You are my Rescuer.” “Jesus, You are… “my Friend.” “…my Comforter,” and other answers of faith. Sometimes my answer is given through my actions, responses to others, or mood. Sometimes I tell the God of the Universe, “You are inconsequential…” I don't use words. In my mind I wouldn't verbalize that to Him out loud, but through my responses to situations and feelings I tell Him I can handle things on my own. Sometimes I tell my Savior, “You are a genie at my beck and call…” Like when I otherwise forget Him in my day until a personal crisis hits and I need His strength and power, greater than my own. Sometimes I respond to Him even worse than that. I wonder if you can relate? Unfortunately, my confession of faith and lack-thereof are often combined within the same day! How can this be?!? Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” hangs in the air around us. We cannot respond, “You are the Christ,” like Simon Peter did and go and live out a life at enmity with God, disobeying His Word or disgracing those created in His image (other people). We cannot declare Jesus as our Lord and Savior and go and treat others as less. We cannot lie. We cannot lust after people or things, cannot murder (or wish it), cannot dishonor our parents (or do so in our hearts), etc. If we live a life that confesses Jesus is not the Lord of our life then it doesn’t matter what our mouths say. No, we are not saved by our works. But a faith without the good works of God in action is no faith at all. So today the Holy Spirit convicts my heart. I cannot rush through this life and worship God in part, for He is THE Living God, the ONLY God. I cannot answer, “You are the Christ” with my mouth and worship other things like status, other’s approval, money, etc. When I find myself saying anything other than, “Jesus, You are Lord and Savior,” I must confess my sin to Him and repent (change my thoughts, words, and deeds back towards God). When I do confess and repent God takes me back into relationship every time. I know He will because of the cross. He lets me try again and gives me the freedom to always come back, because I know Jesus loves me. So this month as we read through Matthew and the Psalms I encourage you to slow down and examine your life and your heart as I will, also. Who do we say Jesus is? Will we take this life or death question to heart? Will we confess Jesus as Lord and Savior? Will we follow Him and bring the others Home to Jesus, our God and Savior? To God be the glory, Sarah Copyright October 2018, Be Blessed Prayer, All rights reserved. |
New Testament Reading PlanThis idea sprang from an initiative at my home church. I thought it would be cool to encourage others to be in God's Word every day through coloring and a plan (different from church's). It's also helped keep me on track with my reading. Praying it brings you closer to the Living God! ArchivesCategories |