Category: Jesus

Whatever you desire

“Therefore whatever you desire
for men to do to you,
you shall also do to them;
for this is the law and the prophets.
Enter in by the narrow gate;
for wide is the gate and broad is the way
that leads to destruction,
and many are those who enter in by it.
How narrow is the gate,
and restricted is the way
that leads to life!
Few are those who find it.”
— Jesus, Matthew 7:12-14, WEB

O may we endeavor, by God’s grace, to walk away from the path of destruction, and walk in the way of divine life and love and peace! Loving others as if they are God Himself!

…among these restless throngs abide…

Where cross the crowded ways of life
where sound the cries of race and clan
above the noise of selfish strife
we hear Your voice, O Son of Man

In haunts of wretchedness and need
on shadowed thresholds fraught with fears
from paths where hide the lures of greed
we catch the vision of Your tears

From tender childhood’s helplessness
from human grief and burdened toil
from famished souls, from sorrow’s stress
Your heart has never known recoil

The cup of water given for You
still holds the freshness of Your grace
yet long these multitudes to view
the sweet compassion of Your face

O Master, from the mountainside
make haste to heal these hearts of pain
among these restless throngs abide
O tread the city’s streets again

Till all the world shall learn Your love
and follow where your feet have trod
till glorious from Your heaven above
shall come the city of our God

— Frank Mason North (~1905)

Encountering Jesus — As a blind man from birth

People who have studied long and in depth the “things” of/about God can find themselves blindsided by the simplicity of one who has PERSONALLY encountered God. There really is no substitute for knowing God for YOURSELF. Ask the question: “Who is HE that I may believe into HIM?” Ask and God will come looking, searching, scanning for you — heuristics — and NOTHING can prevent or obstruct God from finding you, even if you are obstructed. God is never obstructed by anything, though from our limited mortal perspective we may think He is hindered or unable. He certainly can find you when it is His time to do so. This is the way you believe and trust in God. Believe and trust that He can do what you could never do. And then He will prove Himself to you. Over and over again, He will prove Himself to you. Will, at times when you are weak and unable, find you and cause you to encounter His Presence and hear Him. And, if your heart is tender for it, you will hear Him and be taught by Him.

They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” They threw him out.

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding — heuristics — him, he said, “Do you believe into the Son of God?”

He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe into him?”

Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.”

He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him.

Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.”

— John 9:34-39

Go to Jesus when He calls you!

When Jesus calls us to Himself, as those who have ears hear His voice, we must go, go, go!  Daily and forever go to, and return to, Him Who is Owner and Decider of all…Lord of all!

Spurgeon exhorts us below…

—

“And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.” – Mark 3:13.

HERE was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and fume, because they are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but reader be it thine to rejoice that Jesus calleth whom He wills. If He shall leave me to be a doorkeeper in His house, I will cheerfully bless Him for His grace in permitting me to do anything in His service. The call of Christ’s servants comes from above. Jesus stands on the mountain, evermore above the world in holiness, earnestness, love and power. Those whom He calls must go up the mountain to Him, they must seek to rise to His level by living in constant communion with Him. They may not be able to mount to classic honours, or attain scholastic eminence, but they must like Moses go up into the mount of God and have familiar intercourse with the unseen God, or they will never be fitted to proclaim the gospel of peace. Jesus went apart to hold high fellowship with the Father, and we must enter into the same divine companionship if we would bless our fellowmen. No wonder that the apostles were clothed with power when they came down fresh from the mountain where Jesus was. This morning we must endeavour to ascend the mount of communion, that there we may be ordained to the lifework for which we are set apart. Let us not see the face of man to-day till we have seen Jesus. Time spent with Him is laid out at blessed interest. We too shall cast out devils and work wonders if we go down into the world girded with that divine energy which Christ alone can give. It is of no use going to the Lord’s battle till we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus, this is essential. At the mercy-seat we will linger till He shall manifest Himself unto us as He doth not unto the world, and until we can truthfully say, “We were with Him in the Holy Mount.”

–Spurgeon

OF and FOR and THROUGH

From 1 Corinthians…

“to us there is one God,
the Father,
of Whom are all things,
and we for Him;

and one Lord,
Jesus Christ,
through Whom are all things,
and we live through Him.”

–1 Corinthians 8:6

How wonderful that we are OF and FOR Abba Father God; having originated from Him and intended to go to Him. What everlasting love and unending belonging there is in this!

And God has provided His Way for all to come to Him…

How wonderful that we are THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ. What care and concern and redemption and restoration there is through Jesus!

Thank You Abba Father In Jesus’ Name…for YOU!!!