Day 23: Jesus, You Are My Hidden Life

Everyone needs a safe place for rest, refreshment, and rejuvenation. Jesus is that place. Paul says, “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Jesus is reminding me today that this world is not my life – HE IS MY LIFE. Of course, I still live here while on earth. But Jesus is the One who determines, and even orders, my interests, attention, and priorities. I need to remember not to allow the culture or the circumstances to consume my attention. In fact, Paul goes so far as to say, “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2 NLT). Those are radical words. I find myself obsessing over “things of earth” sometimes. The words of Colossians 3:2 pull me out of that defeating thought cycle and bring me to the place where I can say: Jesus, You are my magnificent obsession. You are my hidden life. You are the place where I am refreshed, rested, and rejuvenated. Oswald Chambers says, “The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God. Let everything else—work, clothes, food, everything on earth—go by the board, saving that one thing. The rush of other things always tends to obscure this concentration on God. We have to maintain ourselves in the place of beholding (2 Cor. 3:18), keeping the life absolutely spiritual all through. Let other things come and go as they may, let other people criticize as they will, but never allow anything to obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God. Never be hurried out of the relationship of abiding in Him. It is the one thing that is apt to fluctuate but it ought not to. The severest discipline of a Christians life is to learn how to keep ‘beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord.’”

How do these words work their way into my life today? I think a bit of self-examination sometimes helps appropriate spiritual truth: What thoughts are consuming me right now? Do I have any worries or concerns? Is my heart sinking or is there dread from a looming threat to my security? A few things immediately come to my mind. I know what they are. And so does the Lord. I believe that the Lord is reminding me to take each weight or burden and turn it all into prayer to Him, who IS my hidden life. I reside in reality with Him and heaven is my true home. To sum it up—I need to turn every care into prayer. And when I find that place of prayer in Christ who is my hidden life, I experience His peace. Philippians 4:6-7 holds this amazing promise; when I pray, the Lord will give a supernatural peace that guards my heart. Today, I read in Daily Light On The Daily Path Isaiah 26:3-4 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” I think our hidden life in Christ gives us a perpetual calm in the midst of all we experience in the world. And when you can experience such peace even in a turbulent storm, then you have found true peace indeed.

My Response: Lord Jesus, I love my hidden life in You. I find that my life with You is the one thing that no one can touch. You are the One who gives me peace and the ability to remain steadfast and immovable, always abounding in Your work here in the world. Will You keep my focus concentrated on You as I carry out the responsibilities and service You have called me to engage in today? Thank You Lord for Your constant presence in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 22: Jesus, You Answer My Heart’s Cry

Do you need to hear from Jesus today? Have you ever had a day when you could use just a word of encouragement, instruction or guidance from the Lord who has complete knowledge and understanding of your need? This morning the Lord answered my heart’s cry. And He will answer your heart uniquely and specifically for you. I love the fact that Jesus just KNOWS our hearts. He knows where we are, what we’re thinking, and how we’re feeling. So He answers with His Word. Here I am this morning sitting in Corner Bakery Café, my favorite breakfast place, in Costa Mesa. There are Bibles everywhere here. Three guys are meeting together for Bible study. Another woman is sitting at another booth with an open Bible. And then there’s me. I have 2 Bibles with me (the OC Daily Devotional Bible & the Discovering God NLT – I LOVE LOVE this Bible by the way), my quiet time notebook, Passionate Prayer – QTE, OC’s My Utmost For His Highest, and Daily Light On The Daily Path. So I’m ready to hang out with the Lord here, having breakfast together, and feasting on His Word.

Here’s how the Lord answered my heart today. My heart is burdened this morning with some concerns. So I began my quiet time by writing out my thoughts in my journal trying to articulate what was in my heart and mind. Well, immediately the Lord brought two verses to my mind. Amazing when He does this and the Holy Spirit is faithful to speak to our heart for He knows it well. First, the scene at the end of John where Jesus meets alone with Peter came to mind. Peter had just questioned Jesus about the future of John. Basically, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began looking around at other things and people. Jesus said, “…what is that to you? As for you, follow Me” (John 21:22). Oh, that speaks to my heart today. In fact, I have been hearing these words from Jesus over and over again in recent days. “Follow Me.” He is saying, in response to my questions, in response to my lack of understanding at times, in response to everything it seems, “Follow Me.” No matter what happens, He wants me to focus on following Him. The second verse that came to mind today was Hebrews 12:2, “Fix your eyes on Jesus….” In answer to my heart today, I am clear in what the Lord is saying to me. He is answering my heart’s cry with Follow Me and Fix Your Eyes On Me. He doesn’t want me to worry or try to figure out what He’s doing. He wants me to “follow” and “focus”.

Then I opened Oswald Chamber’s devotional reading in My Utmost For His Highest. The title was (don’t laugh – but you can smile – I admit I did start laughing) – “What Am I Looking At?” Okay Lord, I get it. I’ve got wandering eyes distracted by worries and the world. I need to fix my eyes on Jesus. Period. OC put it this way: “Narrow all your interests until the attitude of mind and heart and body is concentration on Jesus Christ.” I like that. I’m encouraged. Again, Jesus answers the cries of my heart.

Then I read in Daily Light On The Daily Path – these are the words that stood out to me: He will guide us forever (Ps. 48:14). He leads me…(Psalm 23:3). You guide me…(Ps. 73:24). And then, Psalm 138:8 – “The Lord will work out His plans for my life…” What great words of promise for every servant of the Lord! You know, when you’re in the midst of ministry, those words encourage you to persevere and continue to do your work heartily for the Lord.

Finally, I studied in Passionate Prayer – AQTE in the Psalms of Ascent – specifically Psalm 130. And the Lord gave me a new prayer today: Lord, take me higher. I love that prayer. The picture I have in my mind is a majestic and magnificent mountain with beautiful trees, streams of water, and all kinds of animals surprising you along the path. And I’m standing at the lower levels of the mountain. I’ve seen some magnificent views, but realize there are many more that are beyond my wildest imagination. So I want to go higher. But the only way is to follow Jesus and focus on Him. Here’s a quote from the study: “…through God’s divine empowerment through the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s pilgrims are enabled to look beyond the temporal to the eternal. Their eternal home is just beyond the mist, past the dim mirror of this world…You never want to settle for an earthly perspective, but instead want to always go higher with the Lord.” The words I’ll think about all day today are follow and focus. And then, the prayer: Lord, take me higher.

My Response: Lord Jesus, I so love Your word. Thank You for faithfully answering my heart’s cry and showing me my need to follow and focus. So today I pray: take me higher. I can’t wait for all that You will show me as I follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Week 7 Prayer In the Wilderness

I wonder how many of us are wandering in a wilderness right now? Are we being “laid low” in the wilderness? I loved the promise in Hosea 2:14 where God speaks to a those precious souls in the dry place of life. He says, “I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.” Don’t those words just warm your heart! If ever there was a need for tender words, it’s in the wilderness. Psalm 63 written by David was our subject of study. The Lord really ministered to my heart this week with all the words of this psalm. In the wilderness, God provides for us and promises to lead us through every desert place. I loved Psalm 78:15-19, especially v.22 where God was displeased because the people did not believe Him or trust that He would care for them. Those are the two areas where I am challenged the most and the Lord just brought it to the surface for me this week. He wants me to believe Him and trust that He will care for me. I need to realize that the Lord is refining my focus and moving my gaze from earth to heaven. When I trust Him in the wilderness places, He answers my aching heart with Himself, and leads me into a broad place of peace and contentment. The answer for worry in the wilderness is always prayer.
Faint not nor fear, his arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe and thou shalt see,
That Christ is all in all to thee.
(Spurgeon).

Day 21: Jesus, You Are My Rock & My Strong Foundation

It’s pouring rain outside and I’m up early getting ready to drive to Costa Mesa for a booksigning at a Calvary Chapel Conference. California freeways in the rain are a challenge. So I’m leaving earlier than normal to make sure I have enough time. Rain and freeway driving to the coast can add 2-3 hours to a 2-hour trip. The Lord must have known how I was feeling. I read Matthew 7:24-25 and just smiled: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” When we read these words we must ask ourselves, “Where is my faith? Do I stand on the rock-solid Person, Works, and Words of Jesus? Or am I standing on the shifting sands of feelings and ever-changing circumstances? Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42), my foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), and the living stone (1 Peter 1:4-6). I can say along with David, “I love You, O Lord my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

The Lord Jesus showed me His solid rock nature today and has assured me of His constant presence and steadfast care. I can’t help but think of Fanny Crosby’s lyrics to one of my favorite hymns:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh what a fortress of glory divine.
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Fanny Crosby, blind from the age of 6 months, lived to age 95, and in her lifetime, wrote more than 9,000 hymns. She enjoyed an intimate fellowship with Jesus. Two stories come to mind that betray her steadfast faith in Jesus, the rock, and her strong foundation. A pastor once said to Fanny, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you,” She immediately replied, “Do you know if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?” Shocked, the pastor asked, “Why?” “Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.” I love that story because in it you see an unwavering faith in the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Then, one day at a Bible conference in Northfield, Massachusetts, D.L. Moody asked Fanny Crosby to give a personal testimony. At first she hesitated, but then quietly rose and said, “There is one hymn I have written which has never been published. I call it my soul’s poem. Sometimes when I am troubled, I repeat it to myself, for it brings comfort to my heart. She then recited the following words while many in the audience wept:

Someday the silver cord will break
And I no more as now shall sing
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the Palace of the King!
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story-saved by grace!

Well, dear Fanny Crosby is now face to face in the Presence of her Savior. On her grave in Bridgeport, Connecticut there is a simple headstone with the words, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.”

Stand on the rock today, dear friend, and no matter how hard the rain falls, you won’t be swept away.

My Response: Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting me in the deep places of my heart today. You are completely dependable, my strong rock and refuge. I’m standing tall with my faith resting completely in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 20: Jesus, You Give Me The Holy Spirit

How can I actually experience Christ daily, and moment-by-moment? How can I see Christ in my everyday life? The answer is all wrapped up in the amazing Holy Spirit. Today I had the great privilege to read chapters in Andrew Murray’s With Christ In The School Of Prayer. I could go on and on about Andrew Murray. What a man of God! I would love to spend an hour with Andrew Murray and ask him some deep devotional questions. And then, I’d like to spend another hour with him praying. I would never be the same. Just reading this book is life-changing. Here’s what I read today about the Holy Spirit that gives one pause to think:

“A king and queen seek in the whole education of their children to call forth a royal spirit in them. Our Father in heaven desires to educate us as His children for the holy, heavenly life in which He dwells. For this purpose He gives us His own Spirit from the depths of His heart.”

“If we yield ourselves entirely to the will of the Spirit and let Him have His way with us, He will manifest the life of Christ within us.”

“As God’s children, we have already received the Spirit. But we still need to pray for His special gifts as we require them. We need to pray also for His complete possession and unceasing guidance. We are like a branch that is already fill with the sap of the vine and is crying for the continued and increasing flow of that sap. Just as the branch needs more sap to bring its fruit to perfection, the believer, rejoicing in the possession of the Spirit, still thirsts and cries for more.”

“As we pray to be filled with the Spirit, we shouldn’t look for the answer in our feelings. All spiritual blessings must be received—that is, accepted or taken—in faith. Believe that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to His praying child. Even while I pray, I must say in faith, ‘I have what I ask, and the fullness of the Spirit is mine.’ Let us continue unshakably in this faith. On the strength of God’s Word we know that we have what we ask.”

“Once we have learned to believe this for ourselves, we can take the liberty and power from the treasure held for us in heaven to pray for the outpouring of the Spirit on the Church, on all flesh, on individuals, or on special efforts.”

I find these statements so powerful for me today. In Luke 11:13, Jesus talks about the good gifts that parents give children and then He says, “How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” It’s really not how much of the Holy Spirit we have, but how much the Holy Spirit has of us. My favorite quote was, “If we yield ourselves entirely to the will of the Spirit and let Him have His way with us, He will manifest the life of Christ within us.” May the Lord enable us to yield ourselves to the will of the indwelling Holy Spirit! Have Your way in us, Lord.

My Response: Lord Jesus, thank You for these words of Andrew Murray, reminding me of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me. Lord, have Your way in me and give me a sweet surrender to the Spirit of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 19: Jesus, You Open My Eyes

The question before us today is: Will I be amazingly susceptible to Jesus today? Jesus told His disciples, “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear” (Matthew 13:16). Today I spent quiet time with the Lord in Week 7 of Passionate Prayer and read this about the wilderness times: “You will discover some of the most beautiful flowers blooming in the wilderness. When you least expect it, you will receive a new experience of God’s love, and you will be moved to praise. Your ability to see is refined in the wilderness, for your earthly distractions have most likely been diminished or altogether taken away. Your focus will move from earth to heaven. In the dry and weary land, David experience God’s lovingkindness (Psalm 63:3)…Nothing satisfies the heart like God’s love. And nothing can take away God’s love from you (Romans 8:38-39). If you have been led to a wilderness, prepare for a new view of God’s love.” (page 167 of Passionate Prayer – A Quiet Time Experience).

I realized today in a new way that spiritual vision and understanding are a gift. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:19 that the love of Christ “surpasses knowledge.” In other words, His love is SO GREAT that we humans can’t even begin to know it. And yet, we CAN know it – Paul prays for the church at Ephesus to “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.” And how do we know it? We discover in Romans 5:5 that God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

In my quiet time, the Lord Jesus opens my eyes in new ways to see His love and experience it firsthand in my own life. In my quiet time, He opens my eyes to His power and glory. David said, “So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory” (Psalm 63:2). Yesterday I was driving to work and I was thinking about all I had “seen” in my quiet time that morning. And one verse in particular just stood out in my mind – Psalm 78:22. In that psalm there is a description of the people of Israel in the wilderness. The words sum up the great error of those people: “…they did not believe God or trust Him to care for them.” I wrote a little prayer next to that verse and also wrote the date: “Lord, this is where I need to grow stronger.” Those words convicted my heart because sometimes in the heat and hunger of wilderness times, I can think, “What am I going to do? How am I going to survive?” Instead I need to be saying, “Lord, I believe You have a plan and I know You will take care of me, somehow and in some way.”

But here’s the point, the Lord gave me new sight in my quiet time. And often, the real sight comes in that lingering verse throughout the day that I just can’t get out of my heart and mind. I believe we need to listen for it through the day. Jesus is faithful to open my eyes and help me see. He is trustworthy and will give me spiritual hearing as well. In my OC Daily Devotional Bible today, I read that “Joseph was amazingly susceptible to God” and he experienced the “touch of God.” I believe in this generation we need a whole fleet of believers who will be amazingly susceptible to God. And how will this extraordinary openness to God come about? Possibly through a wilderness time. So if we find ourselves in the wilderness, then keep looking up, for the Lord is going to give us a new view of something related to Himself and His ways.

My Response: Lord Jesus, open my eyes that I might behold great and wonderful things in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 18: Jesus, You Refresh My Soul

Today I spent time in Psalm 63 and thought about the wilderness times in our lives. Those dry times where our hearts are weary and parched are a reality. But they can be some of the most precious times we ever experience with our Lord. I love the words of Hosea 2:14 where God is speaking and He says, “I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.” Do you not LOVE that verse!! I do. As a matter of fact, a friend gave that verse to me about 12 years ago when we moved here to the desert. I was so devastated to move away from San Diego and found myself in the wilderness experience. I took the verse and placed it on my desk where I could look at it every day. It still sits there today reminding me that God will tenderly speak to me in the wilderness times of my life.

In Acts 3:19 I see that “times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.” Jesus is my refreshment. He promised in John 7:37-39 “Anyone who is thirsty may come to Me! Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” He was speaking of the work of the Holy Spirit in us. I am reminded again today of the constant flowing river of the Holy Spirit within. Jesus pours out the living water of the Spirit, constantly refreshing my heart and soul, day by day and moment by moment. And I find myself refreshed and ready to launch into the day.

I loved the promises I read today of refreshment in the wilderness. Today I am feasting on these promises from His Word and I am refreshed indeed!

His unfailing love is better than life itself (Psalm 63:3).
He satisfies me more than the richest feast (Psalm 63:5).
He is my helper and I can sing for joy in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 63:7).
He holds me securely with His strong right hand (Psalm 63:8).
He leads me through the wilderness (Psalm 136:16).
In the wilderness I experience gladness, growth, the presence of the Lord, God’s glory and splendor, gushing springs, watering streams, satisfaction, flourishing, and holiness (Isaiah 35:7-9).
In the wilderness the Lord answers me, opens up rivers for me, gives fountains of water, and works a miracle (Isaiah 41:17-20).
The Lord will guide me continually, gives me water when I am dry, restores my strength, makes me a well-watered garden, and makes me like an ever flowing spring (Isaiah 58:11).
He speaks tenderly to me in the desert (Hosea 2:14).

My Response: Lord Jesus, I am refreshed in Your presence. I love drinking long and deeply of those rivers of living water You pour into my soul through the indwelling and empowering Holy Spirit. Fill me anew with the Holy Spirit, giving me strength and power for another day with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 17: Jesus, You Are Greater

Oh, those Pharisees! I am noticing more and more, as I read in the New Testament, the cold, heartless, critical spirits of the Pharisees. I might call it the religion of hard hearts. They observed the actions of the disciples, plucking and then eating grain from the fields on the Sabbath. The Pharisees took their law to the extreme and justified withholding kindness and mercy to others on the Sabbath day. So they passed their judgment and brought their conviction of the disciples straight to Jesus. Jesus reasoned with the Pharisees, giving them the example of the priests working in the temple on the Sabbath, and being found blameless. I’m overwhelmed today that Jesus would even reason with His enemies. Just a few verses later, we see that Jesus “knew” they were plotting against Him to destroy Him (Matthew 12:14-15). What drama we find in the Gospels! Here Jesus is reasoning with these hard-hearted religious leaders. Perhaps He knew that among them there might be one like Paul, a Pharisee of Pharisees, who would one day turn his heart over to Jesus.

After Jesus offered them the example of the priest in the temple. He then told them that, “…in this place there is One greater than the temple” (Matthew 12:6). I love Jesus’ words here. They prick my own heart. ONE GREATER. That’s Jesus. He is greater. He fulfils the law and the prophets. Look at the freedom of the disciples on the Sabbath. Why? Because they were with Jesus. It’s not a freedom to sin. No. But there is a carefree joy of living and serving God in the presence of our Lord Jesus. When you live with Him and breathe in the same heavenly atmosphere as your Lord, You live in a “broad place” (see Psalm 18:19) and you thrive in the garden of His grace (2 Peter 3:18). Jesus is all about grace and mercy, not legalism and hard-heartedness. If His words with the Pharisees were not enough, He went on to demonstrate what the “One greater” does. A man with a withered hand came to Him. And yes, it was still the Sabbath. So the Pharisees questioned Him about healing on the Sabbath. He spoke of the value of a man over a sheep. And He confirmed the “lawfulness” of doing good on the Sabbath. Then Jesus, the “One greater”, healed the man. And hard-hearted religionists (is that a word?) went out and plotted to destroy the “One greater”.

So what does the One greater do when He knows that the Pharisees are plotting to destroy Him. Does He run and hide? No. He just left the area. And I love what the text says next about what happened. “Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all” (Matthew 12:15). Now you see Jesus’ heart of compassion and mercy in full detail. If He healed them all, then what will He do for any of us who are in need today? Oh yes, I am wholeheartedly loving and trusting in Jesus today, the One who is greater.

My Response: Lord Jesus, I take the words of David today and say: “I will praise You with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name…” Psalm 9:1-2

Day 16: Jesus, You Change Me

Today was a big day. I just returned from paying tribute to one of our women leaders, Shirley Baker, at her memorial service. What a privilege. I think the thing that stood out for me the most was her amazing family – her husband, their children, and grandchildren – all faithfully standing strong for the Lord. What an influence Shirley was among so many. I loved being in that blessed assembly of believers.

Now I’m back home, and thinking about all the Lord has taught me recently about Himself. I’ve been reflecting on this journey. And here’s what stands out to me the most today. When you meet the Lord Jesus, you are changed. You can’t possibly stay as you are when you are in His company, and have entered into a relationship with Him. He takes you on as His own, and He transforms your heart, making you the man or woman He wants you to be.

I read about Jacob this morning. Once he met the Lord, his name changed from Jacob (can mean deceiver) to Israel (he strives with God). I love the wrestling match that took place, for I am overwhelmed that God would even wrestle. He could have defeated Jacob with just a breath, but wrestled with him. Why? I think it was so Jacob could catch just a glimpse of his great God, and come in contact with His power. Once he truly saw God and felt His strength and power, Jacob could never be the same. And he wasn’t. God touched his hip and he limped the rest of his life – a great reminder of God’s power and his weakness. I love the words of Hebrews 11:21 in the hall of fame of faith. They describe Jacob “bowing in worship over the head of his staff”. The NASB says that he was “leaning on the top of his staff.” What a picture of the dramatic change in Jacob (Israel). No longer conniving and manipulating, he was wholeheartedly dependent on his Lord.

In the NT today, I read the words of Jesus for John the Baptist, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11: 5-6). Just think about all those people whose lives were never the same! They were changed forever by the Lord. And then Jesus prayed, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.” We’re like babes, needy and hungry, waiting for our Lord. And He comes our way, brings us into a relationship with Himself, and transforms our lives.

The last words I read today in my quiet time were some of my favorite in the Bible – Matthew 11:28-30. This is one of those big invitations of Jesus. And again, you see the change He brings into our hearts and lives. He invites us to come to Him when we are weary and heavy laden. What change does He bring to our hearts? He gives rest for our souls. That’s a change the entire world would love to experience – soul rest. Soul rest is that deep heart rest bringing peace and contentment. I think of sheep able to lie down because the shepherd is near. Only Jesus can effect such a transformation, bringing rest to a turbulent and weary soul. And when you experience His rest, you have been transformed indeed.

My Response: Lord Jesus, thank You for changing me as You and I continue on in this journey of life on earth. Just to know You makes me different. And I thank You for the promise of rest for my soul. Today, I pray that you will renew my heart and revive my spirit. Thank You that times of refreshing come from Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 15: Jesus, You Are My Life

Jesus issued a call to His disciples and said, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lost it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:38-39). Jesus calls me to a radical commitment, to follow Him wherever He leads, no matter what it costs, for however long it takes. But for me, I’ve made the decision and stepped over the line. I am His disciple. And He is my life. For now and forever. When you follow Jesus, you breathe the air of heaven and walk in a new direction. Following Jesus, your eyes are fixed on Him, and your feet steadfastly trod the path destined for the heavenly country, your eternal home (Hebrews 11:13-16). The following words written by a fellow disciple reflect my heart commitment to Jesus. These words were found on the desk of a pastor from Zimbabwe, Africa who was martyred for his faith in Christ:

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made - I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And, when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear!!

I have to include this song by Darlene Zschech for it reflects my heart today. Stop for a moment and worship the Lord. Blessings to all as you wholeheartedly follow the Lord, who is your life.

My Response: Lord Jesus, You are my life. May the words above always be true of me. Thank You for calling me to Yourself so many years ago. I love You and look forward to the day when I see You, face to face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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