Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- November 1, 2013
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. Mark 2:4
Faith finds Jesus, especially when He seems hard to access. Faith is persistent to get to God, because it knows He knows what’s best. Like a honey bee is drawn back to the honeycomb for community and nutrition, so the soul is drawn to God by the Holy Spirit. In the presence of Jesus is forgiveness, healing, peace and contentment. So, faith does not rest until it rests in Christ. The condition of forgiveness and healing is faith and obedience is the fruit of faith. Faith finds Jesus.
Furthermore, faith finds creative ways to get friends and family to Jesus. Because we enjoy the love, healing and forgiveness of God, we want others to have access to His life changing blessings. Thus, we pray for opportunities to expose a person’s felt need to the power of Christ’s care. We may invite them to a Christian concert to enjoy an uplifting night of praise and worship. Or, we can take them for coffee, listen to their hurts, and pray for their heart to be healed by Jesus.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23, KJV
Yes, our faith compels us to help friends find Jesus in personal salvation and forgiveness of sin. Perhaps, we pick them up in our automobile, promise them lunch after church, and take them to hear the Bible taught and the Gospel preached. Some religious people will criticize our zeal and even question the sincerity of someone’s salvation, but the fruit of faith is up to the Holy Spirit. Our part is to love people to the Lord, but it is God’s part to change their heart. Faith finds Jesus.
Lastly, if our faith does not compel us to help others find faith, we may have a false faith, or at best an immature belief. Mature saints are moved to tears over the sin stained souls of the lost. As we enjoy our sweet salvation, how can we sit still and not engage in serving those who have yet to taste the satisfying grace of God. Thus, by God’s grace we pray for innovative opportunities to get people to Jesus. Perhaps we give a book, offer a prayer, share a video or sit and listen. Whatever pure means we employ, we can trust the Holy Spirit to bring joy. Faith finds Jesus!
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so blessed to have found Jesus; give me the faith and courage to help others find Christ.
Related Readings: Deuteronomy 4:29; Mark 4:24; Luke 7:48; Acts 5:39; Colossians 3:3
Post/Tweet today: The condition of forgiveness is faith and obedience is the fruit of faith. #faithfindsJesus
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