Walking With Jesus

How to Love Your Neighbor (Part 2)

“Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (James 2:8 NLT)

Yesterday, we looked at three initial steps to consider if you want to love your neighbors. Let’s continue with a few more things we did in Dallas, then shift to something we’re doing in Las Vegas.

4. Begin group study. After almost a year we planned our first study at our house. We used whatever the current sermon series was at that time for curriculum and invited our closest neighbors and a few others, including a few from church. Everyone accepted.

5. Get intentional. After we’d been meeting for a while, I invited each person to share their story – i.e. tell me about your family growing up; talk to me about your job, your plans, your dreams, aspirations, religious background/training, and so forth. I then asked them if I could share some things about me, which included my love of Jesus and my desire to live my life to His honor and fame, including loving them without condition.

6. Expand the study. At the end of that first series we asked those who participated if they’d like to continue with another study, which they did, leading to an open invitation to everyone on our street (about 30 houses) for our third study. My wife and I made invitations and placed one on every door on our street.

We read/studied Bob Goff’s book Everybody Always, with those who responded to our invitation. Goff’s book addresses how to love our neighbors with intentionality, which is the goal of this process. Additionally, we wanted to see who may have the heart for and interest in leading a study in their home, reaching out to the ones with whom they’ve been nurturing relationships in and outside the neighborhood.

Since we’ve moved to Las Vegas (about a year ago), we were basically back to “square one,” so we decided to give some invitations to the neighbors we’d met while walking our dogs. We invited about 20 people to come to our house for a “carry-in” dinner. Only one couple didn’t come, but we had a great time and a lot of positive things have grown out of that.

This is a prayer-filled process that focuses on loving our neighbors in response to God’s command (Matthew 19:19). The only agenda is God’s will, because I know that it’s not His will that anyone perish (2 Peter 3:9). He alone can save and I’m only one of many instruments He’s using to draw my neighbors to Himself.

Realizing He’s working powerfully in the lives of each one He lays on my heart to love, I simply want to do my part when and where I can by being available to the Lord to bless my neighbors and by regularly praying for them. I accomplish this every morning when I walk my dogs. I pray for neighbors by name if I know them, and the others I pray by household, that each person in that house would be open to the Lord as He draws them to Himself.

It may sound crazy to some, but the Lord has given me a desire to see “Sin City,” which is a common reference to Las Vegas, become “Son City,” as thousands yield their lives and livelihoods, to Jesus. I’m believing the Lord for an unprecedented move of His Spirit upon the people of Las Vegas, changing lives and eternal addresses of those He’s drawing to Himself.

I just want to be a part of what God is doing. How about you? What’s He putting on your heart to do to love your neighbors as you love yourself? You can’t focus on what you can’t do, you’ve got to focus on what God is calling and equipping you TO DO!

Blessings, Ed 😊

How to Love Your Neighbor (Part 1)

“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14 NLT)

John MacArthur said: “I don’t want to be successful, I want to be useful.” Those words spoke to me in regard to learning to love my neighbors. I chose not to focus on “success” – i.e. winning every neighbor to Christ, but on “usefulness” – doing what I can with what God has given me. So, I did a personal inventory.

Of course, the excuses came first. “I’m an introvert (I’m scared).” Or “This is Dallas (where I lived at the time), everybody already knows about Jesus or nobody wants to hear about Jesus (they’re not open to hearing about Jesus from me).”

Then I began to hear statistics that as many as 90% of the population of any given city in the U.S. is un-churched, and the light finally came on for me. The Lord gave me a plan to love my literal neighbors, starting with those who were closest. Couple that with something I read recently that said nearly 89% of people who don’t know Jesus, don’t know anyone who does. Let that sink in for a minute. I think of Romans 10:14 (NLT): “But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” Our being sent isn’t really an issue. Jesus gave us a clear command in Matthew 28:19a: “…GO!” Okay, so what might that look like? Consider the steps I took.

1. Allow the Lord to prepare your heart. What does that mean? For me it meant examining my motives. WHY did I want to make an effort to reach out to my neighbors? Was it simply to gain points with God, to show Him what a great person I am? Or was it to do my part in carrying out His great commission.

Fortunately, God has taught me that He’s pretty smart and I’m not (in comparison 😊); that He’s God and I’m not; that He’s everything and apart from Him I’m nothing. At this point in my life, any effort on my part is to give expression to my gratitude for all He’s done and is doing in and through me. I simply asked the Lord to purify my heart and my intentions so that any recognition would be His and His alone.

2. Once I understood my motives were pure and I sought no personal gain from wanting to love my neighbors, I asked the Lord to give me a vision of what could happen if I trusted Him without reservation. He outlined a means whereby I could pour my life into a few neighbors, who in turn could pour themselves into a few neighbors and so forth until virtually every person in our neighborhood would have exposure to someone who loved them unconditionally, was praying for them, and to whom they could speak about Jesus when they got ready to have that conversation.

3. Start with those who are closest. When we lived in the Dallas, Texas area, for almost a year my wife and I started pouring ourselves into our next-door neighbors, a young couple from India who have now become parents of a handsome little man, and our neighbors across the street, a husband and wife with two children. It’s important that you understand, these precious neighbors were never our “projects.” We had no “agenda” except to love them and serve them in whatever ways the Lord gave us opportunity.

Now that we live in Las Vegas, our strategy has changed a little bit. I’ll share more how in tomorrow’s post.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Giving Thanks!

“She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude.”

(2 Kings 4:37a NLT)

In 2 Kings 4 there is a story of a wealthy woman who lived in Shunem, who had no children. Because of her kindness to Elisha, the prophet, though her husband was old, Elisha told her she would have a son. The next year when Elisha was passing that way, just as he had said, she had a son.

One day, when her son was still a child, he went with his father to help him in his fields. While working, he complained to his father that he had a severe headache, so one of the servants carried the boy home, where his mother held him in her lap as he died.

She summoned Elisha, who, by God’s power, was able to bring the boy back to life. This is the only place in the New Living Translation where you find the word “gratitude.” The mother’s knee-jerk reaction was to fall at the feet of the man of God and worship the God of miracles in gratitude.

Can you begin to grasp the range of emotions that mother felt – to be childless, then be given a son, only to have him die at a young age, then have him be given back to her! Can you even begin to imagine anything for which you could be more grateful in that moment?

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

In Luke 17 there’s a story of ten men who had leprosy, who all cried out: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13 NLT) Jesus healed all ten, but only one, a Samaritan (hated by Jews), returned to give thanks. In verse 16 it says: “He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done.” This man, like the woman of Shunem, was overwhelmed with gratitude, leading him to worship at the feet of Jesus.

It’s interesting to me that the word which in this verse is translated “thanking,” is the word from which comes our English word “Eucharist,” that is commonly used to refer to Holy Communion. Those of us who know and love Jesus, participate in Communion as an opportunity to bow before our Savior, giving thanks to the One who did for us what we could never have done for ourselves.

Could that Shunamite woman have healed her son? Could the leper have healed himself? Can any of us heal ourselves of the deadly disease of sin, shame, and guilt? Of course not! Realizing that swells our heart with gratitude and thanksgiving.

Today, in America, is Thanksgiving Day.

As you pause to give thanks, many around tables filled with food, and loved ones and friends with whom to share it. Please don’t forget to thank the One who made America possible. Who gave you the food, the family, and the friends you so appreciate and enjoy. He who has forgiven you and cleansed you of all unrighteousness as you knelt at His feet in humble submission to His authority in your life.

Even if you’re alone as you read these words, give thanks to the One who is with you. He loves you more than you can imagine. Even if these are hard times and you’re struggling to find something for which you can be thankful, understand that gratitude is a decision, not an emotion. Thank Him that you have the gift of life. Determine afresh today, you’re not going to waste that precious gift. Reach out to someone and let them know how much you love them and how grateful you are to have them in your life.

Bow before your Savior, the Lord Jesus, and confess your need of Him. Confess your desire to please and honor Him above all else. Confess your willingness to let Him lead you wherever He decides, helping you do whatever He desires. You may not feel it, but make the decision to be grateful today.

Something I would be remiss if I didn’t mention – I’m grateful for YOU! Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to read these articles. I pray you’ll sense the Lord’s loving closeness on this special day.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Why Is the Bible So Important?

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful…” (2 Timothy 3:16a NLT)

When I was in college in the 1960’s I would make frequent trips to my mailbox. I couldn’t afford to call my girlfriend very often, so I had to rely on the mail. Receiving a letter from her was like hearing from heaven. I’d rip it open and read as fast as I could until I reached the part I was really wanting to see. You know, the part’s where she told me how much she loved me, missed me, couldn’t wait to see me – all the “good” stuff.

As a follower of Jesus, that’s a lot like how I view the Bible. I see it as God’s “Love Letter” to me. I love learning about Jesus and hearing how His love for me motivated so much of what He did while on this earth.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) Paul wrote: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Considering all the things happening in our world today, all the directions in which we’re pulled, all the options for evil that exist, I thought it might be refreshing to “drink in” some of the refreshing words of God. To see the purpose of the Bible and to understand why it’s so important, on so many levels.

This is the last letter Paul wrote, so he’s essentially summarizing for Timothy what, in his mind, is most important. In the verses above he outlines several reasons the Bible is so vital.

It’s inspired by God. The Amplified Bible says: “God-breathed (given by His inspiration).” What does that mean? It essentially means that God personally chose every author. He considered their mind, their personality, their life experiences, their skill as a writer. Then God coupled those things with the guidance of His Holy Spirit to produce exactly what He knew we’d need to read, to enable us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, Jesus. (Romans 8:29)
It’s useful to teach us what is true. Truth is often debated today, but the Bible is comprised of truth that is defined by God. The Bible teaches us things that, from God’s point of view, are wrong in our lives (sinful) and teaches us what is right (His way for us to live). God has given us free-will, which gives us the option of accepting what He says or rejecting it. But Jesus said that He was the embodiment of all that is true, so to follow Him is to follow the path of God’s truth that leads to righteous living.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. The Holy Spirit convicts, convinces and reveals to us when something in our life is wrong, which is the first step in turning from it. How can we correct something we don’t know is wrong? Then the Spirit guides us in ways to replace what’s wrong with something that is right. If I didn’t know that lying or gossiping were wrong behaviors for a Jesus follower, I would see no need to take steps to correct them.
God uses the Bible to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. God knew us before we were a twinkle in our earthly father’s eye. He meticulously designed and equipped us for the specific roles that we would play in the carrying out of His plans on earth. The Bible refers to the primary tools God gives us as spiritual gifts, which when coupled with our natural abilities, give us everything we need, to do the good things God has in mind for us to do for Him.

This, obviously, is just a “snap-shot” of why the Bible is so important. But I’m praying that you’ll see yourself differently as you view yourself through the lens of how God sees you. As the pages of the Bible, God’s written word, come to life in your heart and mind, I pray you’ll begin to see how He has designed you to do what only you can do in the fulfillment of His purposes in and through your life.

It’s a big deal to be a child of God. To be chosen by Him to play a key role in the unfolding drama of the fulfillment of His will on earth, leading to the climax of history when Jesus returns. Not long after I committed my life to Jesus, I heard a radio preacher say, “When Jesus returns, He’s not coming back to take sides, He’s coming back to take over!” I’m so glad I’m standing strong with King Jesus.

The Bible has helped me understand what that means and what it should look like in my life. If you haven’t already, I invite you to begin your journey with Jesus today. Check out a brief video by clicking the link below that will help you understand what to do. Time is short. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and begin to follow the One who is the central theme of the Bible.

https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed 😊

Who Is Jesus? (Part 3)

“The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord…” (Luke 2:11a NLT)

Let’s begin today where we left off yesterday. Jesus is our…

Proven Provider

Jesus can be trusted to provide everything you need, now and forever. He said in Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (NLT) Notice it says “He” will give you everything you need. Seeking Jesus is a life-long process that pays eternal dividends.

Narrow Way

Most people choose the wide path that leads to destruction and eternal separation from Jesus and His loving provision, not because they don’t want it or wouldn’t benefit from it, but because they’re too earthly focused. Because of our sin nature we want what we want when we want it. But that’s not how Jesus works. He’s willing to give us what’s best if we leave the decision to Him. “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:14 NLT) Jesus IS the narrow way, but I can tell you, based on nearly 60 years of following Him, I literally have everything I could ever want, and more.

Way and Truth and Life

You may be thinking, “I’d love to find the narrow way of following Jesus, but I’m just not sure how to find Him.” His Spirit is ever-present, which means He can be everyplace at the same time. He promises that if we seek Him, we’ll find Him. Find a quiet place, void of distractions, and speak to Him. Ask Him to make Himself known to you. Tell Him you’re sorry for your sins and ask Him to forgive you and to come into your life. He IS the embodiment of Truth, and He alone is the source of eternal life. He doesn’t lie. You can trust Him.

Sacrificial Savior

Jesus is the perfect and sinless Lamb of God who takes away our sin when we ask Him. When He died on the Cross, He was taking our place. We deserved to die for our sin, and that’s exactly what happens to us if we don’t put our trust in Jesus. We suffer for all eternity trying to pay a sin debt we can never pay. He alone has paid our debt and can give us the faith we need to follow Him. Jesus doesn’t want you to be separated from Him, that’s why He died for you.

Innocent Intercessor

Because He was completely innocent when He was murdered on the Cross, God raised Him from the dead to verify the acceptance of His sacrifice on our behalf. For forty days after His resurrection, He walked the earth to verify that He was alive and had defeated hell, death and the grave, not only for Himself, but for all those who would put their trust in Him for their eternal life. And He now sits at the right hand of God interceding for us. He’s praying for you even as you’re reading these words. Hebrews 7:25b (NLT) says: “He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.“

There are many, many other attributes, and characteristics I could share, but let that suffice for now. Just know that regardless of where you are, in the world and in your life, Jesus loves you beyond what words can adequately express. He’s waiting with open arms to receive you. Open your heart to Jesus and invite Him to become Savior and Lord (guide and protector) of your life.

As long as you’re breathing you have hope. But one day, if you keep postponing your decision, it will be too late. In Romans 14:11, Paul reminds us: “For the Scriptures say, ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to Me, and every tongue confess and give praise to God.'” Then in verse 12: “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”

Now you have a choice to bow and confess. Then it will be too late.

It’s not the words of your mouth alone, but the desire of your heart to know Him and learn to love and serve Him that matters. May I close this post with this prayer for you:

Lord Jesus, eternal Savior and Friend, thank You for giving us another opportunity to come to You and willingly acknowledge our love and dependence upon You. If there is even one reader who needs to open their heart to You, please give them courage and boldness to say “YES” to You. In Your holy and perfect Name I pray. Amen.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Who Is Jesus? (Part 2)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” (Luke 4:18a NLT)

Every claim the Bible ever made about who Jesus is has been validated through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. (See What Are the Odds – posted on 11-13-21)

Consider these attributes/characteristics of Jesus. He is …

Master Designer, Creator and Sustainer of all of life

The more carefully you look at your personality, your body, your mind, every detail of who you are at the core of your being, everything that’s good about you, these are the fingerprints of Jesus on your life. The Psalmist wrote: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.” (Psalm 139:13-14 NLT) If you want to catch a glimpse of what being sustained by Jesus means, put your hand in front of you palm up. Then place something unbreakable (😊) in your open hand. Your hand is “sustaining” whatever you have in your hand. Now, pull your hand out from under whatever you’re holding and see what happens. That’s what would happen to you without Jesus’ hand sustaining you. Jesus is the Sustainer of all of life.

Giver of every good and perfect gift

We tend to be very quick to take credit for whatever good comes into our lives and blame God or someone else for what’s not so good. James 1:17 says: “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God…” (NLT)

Our ever-present Friend

Jesus doesn’t walk out because we have a bad day or do something stupid. He’s not a fickle friend who abandons us when the going gets tough. He’s the friend who sticks closer than a brother; the One who will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) says: “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Our Unlimited Lover

No one will ever love you like Jesus loves you. How do I know that? When Jesus died for you, He paid the penalty for your sins, past, present and future (Pastor Vance at Hope Church is fond of saying: “When Jesus died for you, ALL of your sins were future.” 😊). By the shedding of His blood on your behalf, He bridged the gap between Heaven and earth to give you access to all that Heaven offers – now and forever. To understand this better click on this link and watch a brief video by Ron Hutchcraft https://hutchcraft.com/bridge-to-god Jesus said in John 15:13: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NLT) That’s exactly what He did for you and me on the Cross.

Our Forever Forgiver

Our earthly friends often forgive us on a conditional basis (i.e. “if” or “when”). When Jesus forgives you, He casts your sin into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered against you again. If God could forget, He wouldn’t be perfect. He doesn’t forget, He chooses to not remember our sins. Big difference! No other friend can do that. Micah 7:19b says: “You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” (NLT)

Our Fear Reliever

Fear can be crippling. When we let our fears control us, we live a debilitating existence. There are at least 365 references in the Bible telling us to not fear (one for each day 😊). There was a point in my life I thought I’d lost everything – my wife, custody of my kids, job, house, car, all gone. I was whining to God about losing everything and He said to me: “You haven’t lost everything because you haven’t lost Me, and I’m all you need!” That was the day I stopped being afraid. Jesus said: “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid…” (Luke 12:7 NLT)

I’m going to stop here for today. I’ll share a few more tomorrow. Until you understand that what Jesus did, and even who He is, is all about His love and compassion for you, you’ll never recognize your need of Him to meet every need you’ll ever have.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Who Is Jesus? (Part 1)

“…the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” John 151b (NLT)

Recently, my friend, Tim West, shared a true story about Elvis Presley. In Tim’s words: “Elvis used to frequent the Lil Thompson’s Steakhouse in Tennessee. He was good friends with the owner who would give him free food before he was famous. One night when he was at the height of his fame, the Steakhouse held the ultimate Elvis Presley impersonator contest. A large crowd arrived, including Elvis Presley himself. Elvis decided to take part and sat quietly at the back.

Elvis said confidently, ‘I’m going to mash this.’ Lil was worried the place would go crazy when everyone realized it was Elvis. There was no need. He sang ‘Love Me Tender’ to polite applause and came in third place in the contest!” Yes, you read it correctly! The judges failed to recognize the real Elvis.

As difficult as that may be for some to believe, from the time Jesus was born to our present day, billions of people have failed to recognize Jesus for the real “…Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

What does the Bible say about Jesus? What does Jesus say about Himself? You may doubt the integrity of the Bible, but ultimately you must come to terms with who Jesus is and what and who He claims to be. You can believe it or not, but you need to know the facts, because what you believe about Jesus will determine where you’ll spend eternity.

The opening words of the Gospel of John say: “in the beginning the Word (Jesus) already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him (Jesus), and nothing was created except through Him (Jesus). The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:1-5 NLT) Verses 10-11 continue by saying: “He (Jesus) came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people (the Jews), and even they rejected Him.” But here is where the miracles can begin, in verse 12: “But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”

What can we learn from these few verses about who Jesus is?

God, the pre-existent and eternal Spirit, poured Himself into human flesh, was born as the child of a virgin mother named Mary (see Luke 1:27) in Bethlehem and made His home on planet earth. Why would He do that? In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus answers that question when He said He “came to seek and to save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10 NLT) (note that being lost was the subject of yesterday’s post) Even Jesus’ name has significance, as it means “The Lord saves” (see Matthew 1:21)

My conviction is, most people today who reject Jesus, do so because they have never read the Bible and, thus, have no foundation upon which to judge who He really is.

Tomorrow we’ll begin to dig a little deeper. I just don’t want anyone to come to a wrong conclusion without having more information upon which to base their decision.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Does It Mean to Be Lost?

“…it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones perish.” (Matthew 18:14 NLT)

Have you ever been lost? A few weeks ago, my car got “lost.” I met a friend for lunch in a large shopping area to which I’d never been. I turned into the first parking garage I saw, parked, then hurried to our agreed upon location. After lunch I followed the signs back to the parking garage, but I couldn’t find my car. Turns out, I’d parked in the garage right next to the restaurant, but being unfamiliar with the complex, I’d walked all the way around to go to the restaurant that was next door to where I parked.

That experience caused me to think of a quote from a book I read many years ago. I don’t remember the exact quote, but it had reference to the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 and said something to the effect: “He walked around the whole world to find what he could only find in the very place he left.” What’s the implication? We sometimes get lost looking for things we can only find at “home.”

The difference between the sheep referenced in Matthew’s quote above, and the Prodigal Son is, one wandered away and couldn’t find his way home. The other left home with no intention of ever returning. Where do you find yourself today? Have you wandered away or are you running away?

Being lost can be confusing. At first, like me, you may not even realize you’re lost, or what you’re seeking is lost. Many people in the world today go through their daily routines never realizing what they’re missing; never understanding that in a spiritual sense, they are “lost,” without a clue as to what horrific consequences their lack of knowledge may hold. They don’t know what they don’t know.

Being “lost” in the Biblical sense, means living our lives separated from God. But the truth is, many may not even realize that they are “lost.” Billions of people across the world live their lives without regard to the spiritual laws that will one day hold every person who has ever lived, accountable. And the tragic thing to me is, they don’t even know. No one has ever made the effort to tell them. Or they’ve not listened to the ones who have tried.

People often believe their personal “goodness,” their religious beliefs, their ethical or moral convictions should be good enough to please whatever god they’re seeking to please. Perhaps a god of their own creation. Or worse, they don’t even care. Their search is for self-satisfaction, self-actualization, self-fulfillment. In their mind, “If there is a God, He certainly wants nothing to do with me.” The reality is nothing could be further from the truth. The God of Heaven, the God of the Bible, has a personal investment and interest in every person who has ever lived or ever will live. And He went to great lengths to prove it.

Jesus asked the Pharisees, the strictest sect of the Jewish religion, “How will you escape the judgment of hell?” (Matthew 23:33 NLT) What’s my point? The Pharisees were very strict in their adherence to the laws of their religion, just like many who cling to their respective religious convictions and codes of personal behavior today. The Pharisees believed by keeping the rules they would satisfy God.

The problem is, keeping rules or codes of conduct, without personally knowing, loving and being committed to the God of the Bible, is a death sentence. It’s to essentially say to God: “I don’t need the sacrifice Your Son Jesus made for me. I can earn my own place in Heaven.” But the Bible clearly says, “For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12-13 NLT)

Being lost means being separated from your only Source of hope, forgiveness, meaning, purpose, and an eternal life in Heaven with Him. That’s why it’s so vitally important to understand who Jesus is? We’ll begin to look at that tomorrow.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

“However, no one knows the day or hour…” (Matthew 24:36a NLT)

Edward Panosian said: “When a man knows he may breakfast on earth and take supper in heaven, temptations must lose much of their power.”

For a Jesus follower, that’s the reality with which we live, or should live, every day. Let’s think about that for a few moments. Why should it matter when our life ends or when Jesus returns, if we’re living for Jesus? I suppose it depends on how you define “living for Jesus.” The above quote implies something I believe is critical if we’re serious about our walk with Jesus.

If our focus is Jesus, temptations MUST lose their grip. But if our focus is on the things of this world or the sin that so easily drags us down and away from the Lord, then we’re going to have issues walking faithfully.

There’s a chorus to an old hymn written by Helen Lemmel that sums up the need of every believer, every day. As we open our eyes each morning, we should follow the directives of this chorus: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

I researched the origin of this hymn and learned the inspiration came from a young, aspiring artist who chose to go to Africa as a missionary, rather than pursue a career as an artist. Her name is Lilias Trotter. I will draw from her story, but if you want to read it for yourself, in its entirety, which I highly recommend you do, just click on this link: https://jenmiskov.com/blog/turnyoureyesuponjesus Jennifer A. Miskov is the author of the article and the person’s website to whom you’ll be directed when you click the link above. The quotes I’ll share today are from her story. If I could summarize what she wrote, to me it would be – TOTALLY FOCUSED ON JESUS!

Lilias Trotter – Click above link for source of photo

Lilias wrote: “And Satan knows well the power of concentration, if a soul is likely to get under the sway of the inspiration, ‘this one thing I do,’ he will turn all his energies to bring in side-interests that will shatter the gathering intensity.” Adrian Rogers wrote: “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” It matters little how much we talk about our love for Jesus, if it’s not reflected in how we order our lives, does it really matter?

If you were asked, “What is the single most important focal point of your life?” what would you say? When you wake up, what’s the first thing to which your mind is drawn? Is it your possessions? Family? Hobbies? Vacations? Church? What keeps you busy? And please understand, those are all valid and, on some levels, very good activities. But the question with which I’m wrestling in my own life is: “Who is at the center of those activities? Why am I doing them? Who am I seeking to please the most? Me, others, or Jesus? Who gets the honor if I attain the things I’m pursuing?”

Lilias wrote: “Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him, and the Divine “attrait” (attraction) by which God’s saints are made, even in this 20th century (she died in 1928), will lay hold of you. For ‘He is worthy’ to have all there is to be had in the heart that He has died to win.”

The verses to the song are: 1. O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! 2. Thro’ death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion–For more than conqu’rors we are! 3. His Word shall not fail you–He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

That’s what I want in my life. How about you?

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Does New Life in Christ Look Like?

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:21 NLT)

The Apostle Paul’s words above challenge us, but no one can live a Christ-like life without Jesus. Being yoked (partnered) with Him and being filled with His Holy Spirit is the ONLY way anyone can begin to walk in the newness of life that Christ alone can give. We can’t live a righteous and holy life without being filled and enabled by God’s Spirit. What does that mean?

“Righteous” essentially means living in a manner pleasing to the Lord. “Holy” means “set apart for sacred use.” To live a holy and righteous life means to allow the Holy Spirit, who is the presence of Jesus living in our heart and mind, to give direction to our lives. How does He do that? A large part of that is through the Bible, His written instruction manual. Another part is through prayer, which is simply conversation with God. How do we learn about the Bible and prayer?

The first step is to make sure you’ve opened your life to Jesus. That you’ve been forgiven, and the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in your heart and life. The Psalmist David said: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT)

Photo by u0418u0440u0438u043du0430 u0414u0435u043cu044cu044fu043du043eu0432u0441u043au0438u0445 on Pexels.com

Can you point to a time in your life when you invited Jesus to become your Savior and Lord? If not, you probably haven’t. In some respects, it’s like asking someone if they’re married. “Hmmm, let’s see. Umm, I’m not sure.” I can tell you the date I made a lifelong commitment to my wife. There’s no question in my mind that I’m married. I can also point to the Sunday night in April of 1963 when I knelt and gave my life to Jesus. I’ve failed Him, but He’s never failed me, and there’s never been a single moment when I’ve regretted that decision. So, make certain Jesus is Lord of your life.

Jesus loves sinners like you, and me. Open your life to Him today, right now. Why would you wait another second to be forgiven and given a new life? Click the link below and let Ron Hutchcraft walk you through a brief video message, so you’ll know exactly what to do and why. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Then, after you’re certain you’ve begun your walk with Jesus, the best and most effective way to move forward with Him is by finding another believer(s) to walk with you on your journey. It’s vital that you share with someone you can trust that you’ve opened your heart to Jesus and asked Him to come into your life. If you don’t know anyone, you can email me at walkingwithjesus09@gmail.com and I will do my best to guide you.

If you’re not familiar with the Bible, start reading in the book of John. That’s in the New Testament. Read through John, then go back to the beginning of the New Testament book of Matthew, then just read straight through to the end of the New Testament, including reading the Gospel of John again. Initially, set a goal of reading a minimum of one chapter a day. If you don’t have access to a physical Bible, google it and you will find many options online. The translation I suggest is either The Living Bible or The New Living Translation.

Read with a pen and paper nearby. When you see a word or idea you don’t understand, or something you read isn’t clear, write it down so you can ask a friend, who is also a Christ-follower, what it means. Also, write things down that DO make sense, that are speaking to you, that you don’t want to forget. Put a date on the notes, so you can look back from a later perspective and see how much you’re growing.

Then spend time every day, throughout your day, praying. What is prayer? It’s conversation with God. He speaks to us primarily through His Word, the Bible, but also through godly Pastors and friends who know Him. Then you speak to Him, similarly as you would speak with any other person you care about. We don’t have to use special language or be in a certain posture. You can talk with the Lord all through the day. I’m speaking with Him even as I’m typing these words. He will guide your thoughts and give you insights into how He wants you to invest the time He’s given you into His Kingdom. The longer you walk with Him, the easier it will become to discern His voice and follow Him ever more closely.

I’m never sure who is reading these articles, so if ever you have questions or concerns, please let me know. The safest way to contact me is to copy and paste the email address above or type it in.

Blessings, Ed 😊