If you are a new Christ follower, or you are still on the fence about Jesus, I hope you will continue on with us in this series. If you are just now joining, I have been encouraging everyone to read the four gospels found in the New Testament––different but similar accounts of Jesus’ life on earth, His death and His resurrection.
The biggest difference from the Old Testament to the New Testament of the Bible is that the New Testament establishes the new covenant for all mankind. We no longer have to go through a man, a high priest, to have him pray for us or make sacrifices on an altar as an atonement for sin or a thanksgiving offering as described in the Old Testament.
Why do we no longer need this man to intercede for us? God sent His Son Jesus, the Messiah, who lived as fully God, yet fully man, to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for us (I know that is hard to comprehend—as you read, study and seek––your faith will grow in this area). He traveled and taught many about His Heavenly Father and His plan and desire for all mankind. In the New Testament Jesus predicts His own death and resurrection. He was, in fact, crucified as an innocent man and then rose on the third day as a final, once and for all sacrifice for my and your sin…all pre-planned by God.
In the Old Testament we read the words of Jeremiah the prophet, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). These words are true today even though they were written by a prophet who lived long ago. I have applied these words and I see and experience the power of Jesus every day.
In the book of Hebrews, found in the New Testament, it states in chapter 13, verse 8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever.” What we read here, and I have come to know and want you, the reader, to know is that God is unchanging…His character and intent never changes. Thus, we know the words of Jeremiah are true for us today. When we seek Jesus with all our heart, we will find Him!
I hope this is making sense because I am leading up to a very important point for anyone reading this today.
If you read in John, one of the four gospels, chapter 13, Jesus is not only washing His disciples’ feet, which has deep meaning for them then and us now, but He tells them about things to come. He says, “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.” Jesus was predicting His betrayal by Judas, one of His disciples and closest friends. (As I write, I am assuming and praying that you will read the four gospels, especially John.)
The point I am trying to bring together, especially for the new believer, is that when you are seeking God, He will increase your belief and faith. HE WILL DO FOR YOU what He did for His disciples. His character and desires have not changed. With the disciples, He used predictions of His death, burial and resurrection to increase their faith. He knows what YOU need in your life to grow your faith.
I live it every day and deeply desire this for anyone who will listen.
After Jesus died, rose again and then ascended into heaven, He sent his Holy Spirit. For anyone who invites Jesus into their hearts, a faith step for sure, He immediately sends His Holy Spirit to indwell us. His desire is for us to KNOW HIM and HE will reveal Himself to us.
On a daily basis, especially in the last ten years, I have been committed to seeking Jesus with all my heart at the beginning of every day, no matter what is going on in my life––son on ventilator, house guests, wedding day for one of our kids, normal day with nothing eventful, day of the national championship, sick day, etc. I can give personal testimony that God has even prompted me in my spirit with things to come. He has revealed HIMSELF TO ME IN VERY PERSONAL WAYS.
What I want you to know is this…I am no one special.
I have just chosen to accept Jesus, believe in His holy Word, apply His holy Word and seek Him with all my heart. I want others to experience what I experience daily. It is not a day free of trouble, or without feeling fear, or not having the unexpected happen, but it is a day of knowing I have a supernatural, holy God who holds me, guides me and comforts me no matter what any day brings…and there is nothing that compares to it…NOTHING…NO HUMAN has come close to providing this…not my parents, nor my spouse, nor my children, nor extended family or close friends.
It’s like nothing else.
So, today, my point is this: I daily/hourly experience the supernatural power of Jesus in my life, and it is His Holy Spirit who lives in me. It doesn’t make me perfect or make me behave perfectly. Some days I fail miserably, but it provides perfect peace, perfect forgiveness, perfect direction, amazing comfort…and a Godfidence that I crave now.
For the rest of my life I desire to write about and talk about Jesus…Why? Because I want it for anyone who will listen and take a step of faith to invite Jesus into their heart! I know that I know that I know…anyone’s life can be totally different and 100% better by allowing Jesus to be Lord.
It’s like nothing else.
What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” ~A. W. Tozer
