1 John 2:28-29
And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.
Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Today, our heads are spinning with news of the latest tragic shooting in our country. You may also be confronted with personal challenges…family members and friends who are ill or have recently passed…money woes…or loss of work because of the latest “snow event.” You may be stressed from the care and nurture of children and your immediate family…a heavy load at work or school…and so much more.
With everything that we face on a daily basis, it can sometimes be hard to live deeply in Christ…but this is exactly WHY we need to make the effort to do so! In my daily readings the last few days from Jesus Calling*, these are some of the charges that have stuck out to me…”There could never be another companion as devoted as I am. Try saying, ‘I trust You, Jesus’ in response to whatever happens to you. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.”
I cannot imagine what the people in Ft. Lauderdale are enduring…the heartache and shock for all involved…the horror and complete terror that must have stricken hundreds of people throughout this event. But I know that God was right there with them, through it all. I recently visited with a friend whose mother is quite ill. She and I agreed that as we cry out to God that we are in “deep waters,” we recognize that He has led others through them already. So why wouldn’t He do this for us, as well? When we realize that Jesus is our most devoted companion, it becomes imperative that we live deeply in Him…and trust Him in whatever happens to us.
Living deeply in Christ doesn’t happen overnight. You cannot just snap your fingers and instantly gain this most intimate relationship with Him. You must cultivate deep and abiding faith over time…through continual communion with Jesus in prayer, Bible study – and quite frankly, going through some stuff! Each experience strengthens your faith muscle. Every prayer draws you closer to Jesus and allows Him to show you just how much He cares for every detail of your life. Each time you read Scripture – or a daily devotional such as this one – you gain insights into how God is working for you every second of the night and day.
You have to start somewhere…and today is as good as any to begin. Call out to Jesus…tell Him, “I trust You” – and mean it! My prayer is that this would be the day that you make every effort to keep your Dearest Companion close at all times…and start to live deeply in His promises and care. Jesus is calling…are you ready to welcome Him into your heart forever?
©2017 Debbie Robus
*Jesus Calling ~ www.jesuscalling.com (quotes from January 3 and January 4 entries)
And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.
Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Today, our heads are spinning with news of the latest tragic shooting in our country. You may also be confronted with personal challenges…family members and friends who are ill or have recently passed…money woes…or loss of work because of the latest “snow event.” You may be stressed from the care and nurture of children and your immediate family…a heavy load at work or school…and so much more.
With everything that we face on a daily basis, it can sometimes be hard to live deeply in Christ…but this is exactly WHY we need to make the effort to do so! In my daily readings the last few days from Jesus Calling*, these are some of the charges that have stuck out to me…”There could never be another companion as devoted as I am. Try saying, ‘I trust You, Jesus’ in response to whatever happens to you. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.”
I cannot imagine what the people in Ft. Lauderdale are enduring…the heartache and shock for all involved…the horror and complete terror that must have stricken hundreds of people throughout this event. But I know that God was right there with them, through it all. I recently visited with a friend whose mother is quite ill. She and I agreed that as we cry out to God that we are in “deep waters,” we recognize that He has led others through them already. So why wouldn’t He do this for us, as well? When we realize that Jesus is our most devoted companion, it becomes imperative that we live deeply in Him…and trust Him in whatever happens to us.
Living deeply in Christ doesn’t happen overnight. You cannot just snap your fingers and instantly gain this most intimate relationship with Him. You must cultivate deep and abiding faith over time…through continual communion with Jesus in prayer, Bible study – and quite frankly, going through some stuff! Each experience strengthens your faith muscle. Every prayer draws you closer to Jesus and allows Him to show you just how much He cares for every detail of your life. Each time you read Scripture – or a daily devotional such as this one – you gain insights into how God is working for you every second of the night and day.
You have to start somewhere…and today is as good as any to begin. Call out to Jesus…tell Him, “I trust You” – and mean it! My prayer is that this would be the day that you make every effort to keep your Dearest Companion close at all times…and start to live deeply in His promises and care. Jesus is calling…are you ready to welcome Him into your heart forever?
©2017 Debbie Robus
*Jesus Calling ~ www.jesuscalling.com (quotes from January 3 and January 4 entries)
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