Getting To Know Him

Scripture:
Colossians 1:15-20 (NASB)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Devotional:

Have you ever wondered who Jesus really is?  Do you question His existence, what He said and did?  Some people do not believe the Bible is truth.  What is amazing is that they can read an article on the internet and automatically believe every word.  They don’t even bother checking the article for validity, but it must be true.  The Bible has how many copies that have been virtually unchanged over centuries.  There are more facts to support the truth of the Bible than any other writing.

So who is this Jesus?  Matthew 16:13-16 (NASB):

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 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.”

The Bible is clear in several passages who Jesus is.  Peter calls him “The Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Paul in Colossians states that Jesus is the first born of all creation and the invisible image of God Himself.  

If you want to know God and know what God looks like all you have to do is look upon Jesus.  If you want to know Jesus, and God, better the best place to start is in the Bible.  Next you can pray.  You don’t have to fall on your knees.  You can just talk with Jesus.  You can speak aloud or just think thoughts.  However, whenever, and wherever you pray doesn’t matter.  The best way to get to know someone is to talk with them and spend time with them.  Read the Bible and pray will help you begin a beautiful relationship with our Lord and Savior.  Salvation isn’t about a list of what to do or not to do.  Instead it is about a relationship with Jesus.  I urge you to get to know Him better…

Running In Fear

Scriptures:
1 Kings 19:1-8 (NASB)

Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.” He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.” Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Devotional:

I have often wondered how Elijah could defeat so many profits and priests of false gods and still fear for his life from one woman.  Here is a man who stood on a mountain and called down fire from heaven.  Here is a man who stood alone facing off four hundred fifty prophets of Baal.  Then the very next day he takes of running for his life.  One women who threatens him sends him packing.  

Have you ever stood upon the mountain in victory?  You are standing on top of the world.  Nothing could be better.  For a moment you are experiencing heaven on earth.  The next minute you are at the bottom.  Depression and despair seem to be overwhelming.  You don’t know how it happened but there you are.  The good news is that even in our despair and brokenness God is with us.  When Elijah was sitting under the juniper tree God came to him.  God fed him and gave him rest.

In our lowest moments God is there waiting.  He will help us through.  We are not alone or abandoned.  Looking back over the years I can see the low points in my life.  Each time God was there.  I couldn’t necessarily see it.  Sometimes I even wanted to deny my relationship with God.  In the end God was patient, loving, and caring.  He provided for me and helped me through.  No matter what we face or what we do, God is with us.  Jesus died upon the cross for us.  The Holy Spirit fills us.  We are never truly alone.  We never have to face our depressions, fears, and demons alone.  We don’t have to run in fear.  Our enemies will never be able to prevail.  God is always with us.  We might not see it at the time but look back and see God’s miracles in your life.