So Will I..... Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLURTvUQoTM

Mark 11:12-14, The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. ¹³ Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

Things may look really good on the outside, but what's happening on the inside of things are far more important to take care of first. That's what I love about this scripture. It shows us that we can look real good on the outside as a Christian, but not producing any fruit for the kingdom of God. We were made to live a life with substance for the glory of God.

A neighbor of mine took much interest in fixing up the outward beauty of the house they bought. The house has been rented several times in the past few years and looked pretty bad. What they didn't realize is no one took care of a main element that could cause horrible damage, but you can't see it until it backs up on you. The septic tank needed cleaning years ago, and yes, now major damage.

Isn't that just like some of us. So much work on the outward beauty, but really neglecting the most important element to Jesus. Inward Spiritual beauty, so we can reflect His character rather than smelling and looking like a stinking mess.

Jesus is, and always will be about lasting inward change. 2 Corinthians 5: 13-18, We are all wasting away outwardly, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Matthew 23: 13-15, So take a good look at ourselves because that is where it begins. I never want to look good just on the outside and not having that continuing inward change that pleases my Jesus. I will never be perfect this side of heaven.

So I pray that the life I live is fruitful. "All nature and science follow the sound of His voice"... "So will I"

"God of Your promise
You don’t speak in vain
No syllable empty or void"
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Kim D

Reckless Love..... Cory Asbury

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLFak6N04GY

Luke 15: 1-7

The more I hear this song, and the more I put it with the scriptures and the memory of how I was when He found me, it rips at my heart. I have so much love and gratefulness for my Savior Jesus. 

Verse 2: The religious leaders muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." First of all, "this man" is Jesus Christ, God only begotten Son. God with us in the flesh. But they are so caught up in law, religion, power and pride, that they don't even get it. That is why I hate religion and I love a relationship. But in order to even grasp your mind around it, you have to drop your pride. Surrender your way of looking at the things of this world. Open your heart and mind, and He will open your blinded eyes. Jesus Christ went to the cross to have that love relationship with us. What other love do you know that would give their life for you, and to make a way for you to know Him.

It's so true, His love chases us down, fights till we're found. He leaves the 99 righteous persons to find the 1 sinner who humbles themselves and repents. He doesn't care where you've been or what you've done.

Look at verse 5, this just gets my heart. After He found the 1 who humbly repents, He joyfully puts them on His shoulders and carries them home... That is what it really feels like. Peace that you can't explain. Jesus at home in my heart, and me in His.... It goes on to say, there is rejoicing in heaven over that 1 sinner who repents, than over the 99 righteous people who don't. So much for thinking your better than anyone else. We are all sinners saved by grace ALONE, Ephesians 2: 8.

His love is unconditional. God sent His only Son to die on a cross for our sins. There is not one of us that is without sin. Whether it's in action, thought, or words. None of us will ever be good enough. That is the beauty of grace. I couldn't earn it, and I certainly don't deserve it. Still He gave His life away. Now I can't help but live this life, not taking grace for granted because sin pains His heart. I continually pray for the things that break His heart, for them to break mine. A life that shows Him how grateful I am.

Kim D

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Nearness.... Bethel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03YWAhBzjYQ

My prayer for myself this year, is that no matter what comes my way I will never loose sight of Jesus. I will recognize Him in all things. He never looses sight of me.  Nothing that comes my way is a surprise to Him.

These are great stories. I hope you read them again with an open heart. Then you will see Jesus.

 

There are three scriptures that you can read and see that even those who spent quality time with Jesus didn't recognize Him when He was right there with them. But like us, it was either fear, disappointment,  deep grief, even over joyed that caused them to be blinded. Has that ever happened to you? It has me, and I know that as long as I'm on this side of heaven, it won't be the last. But the closer I stay connected to Jesus, the quicker I see Him.

 John 20: 11-16...... Mary stayed outside the tomb and wept. She was in deep grief. Then Jesus spoke! I love that! I've been in deep grief, then I read the LIVING WORD and I am comforted. I see Him, or better said, I feel Him.

Luke 24:13 - 43... In this story, Jesus was walking and talking with the disciples. You see in verse 17 their faces were downcast. In verse 21-24 you see what they hoped for. Have you ever hoped for something, but at the time you didn't see it the way Jesus wanted you to view it. You were so focused on what and how you thought things should turn out, you forgot what Jesus told you. Then He begins to talk to you from His word and your heart begins to burn within you, verse 32. Once again, and always faithful when you draw near to Him.

Matthew 14:22-33... In this story you can see how the fear of life's storms can blind you. In verse 26 the disciples even thought Jesus was a ghost. Then Jesus spoke. You begin to step out but get gripped by fear again and start going under. Verse 31, you can see Jesus faithfulness again. It never ends. He is always near. Question is, are you near to Him?

James 4:8 Draw near to God.....

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