Act Now!
When we began this most remarkable journey with Jesus we wanted to get to know Him more. As with any journey, it should lead us closer to a destination. Our destination here on earth should be closer to Jesus to resemble Him more each day. To do that we need to Act Now!
Of course, as followers of Christ our destination is in the presence of the Living God but for now, it is studying and walking with Him. It is an awesome journey.
Studying Jesus’ life is the most significant thing we can do to dig deeper into our relationship with Him. The more time we spend in a relationship the more we become like the other person. Our personalities and characteristics start to mesh.
So we walked beside Him. But what do we do next?
Don’t Keep Looking Up
Do you ever catch yourself looking up into the sky and thinking what if Christ returned right now? Hoping that moment would come that instant or double-checking making sure you did’t miss it. (Don’t worry you won’t!)
Maybe you have looked at the splendor He has created in the sunsets or the rays that float through the morning skies dreaming of your coming king.
After Jesus journeyed here on earth and ascended into heaven the disciples did just that. They stared intently into the clouds. As they did this two men dressed in white stood next to them and asked them why they were standing there staring into the sky.
The same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
Go
Luke tells us in Acts 1:1 that in his former book (Luke) he wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up into heaven.
The great news is we have such an amazing blueprint for Jesus’ teachings. This is such a great reason to study His journey. We see the things He wants to teach us and we see the things He did so we, too, can emulate them.
We were not left empty-handed. Better yet, in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit. Just as the apostles had the Holy Spirit come on them and the power flow through them we have access to that same power.
But we have been directed to do something with the Holy Spirit. No, it is not staring intently at the sky and hoping for His soon return. Our job is to go and be His witness.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
You Will Be Equipped
Often times we have a million and one excuses why we are not the one for the job. Just as Moses did when God gave him the job to free His people, we rattle them off one-by-one.
We are not strong enough, a good enough speaker, worthy enough, tall enough, thin enough, brave enough, educated enough, enough of this and enough of that.
I am right there beside you. I have given God my list of qualifications and I have given my list that is lacking. His response is the same today as it was then.
I AM.
We don't need to be enough when we have a God that is more than enough. We need to show up and be obedient. Share on X
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
The journey begins with the Scripture. Letting it teach us, correct us, train us, and yes even rebuke us.
Why?
So we will be thoroughly equipped.
Traveling the Road Again
Jesus’ journey as recorded in the gospels gives us such a blessed look at who He is. Let’s review some of those lessons here that we are now equipped with.
Jesus Among Us
♥ God knew when sin entered the world that He had the solution to resolve our broken relationship. So he put on flesh and made His dwelling among us so He could be like us so we could one day be like Him.
Testimonies and Business
♥ God sent people at just the right time to testify to who He was. Simeon and Anna were devout believers, who were given the divine word that Jesus was the Son of God. As Jesus grew He testified to His own identity by being about His Father’s business while in the temple.
Lord, Have Mercy!
♥ Along Jesus’ journey, we see Him heal the sick, the blind, the broken and the hopeless. One particular man, blind Bartimaeus, gives us another clue to Jesus’ identity by crying out to the Son of David. The Old Testament continually pointed to the Messiah coming from the throne of David.
This man asked for one thing from Jesus and that was His mercy. We see time and time again people that know their true disparity know their need for mercy. Praise the Lord! He is willing to pour it out onto us.
Who Jesus Is
♥ Our next stop was the well that was not too deep to draw real perspective. We learned many things about Jesus here. He pursues us and see us for who we are and loves us anyway. Jesus was fully human and the Messiah the world was waiting for.
Jesus goes beyond the social norms for us to understand His great love and while He is there offers us life and soul restoration.
With Jesus
♥ Finally, we traveled with the resurrected Jesus on the Road to Emmaus where He opened our eyes to the importance of Scripture. While being reminded that Jesus is not just the one his people had hoped would rescue them from their oppressors but the ultimate redeemer of their souls.
Act Now!
Last week my little girl was sick and she couldn’t go to AWANAs. She loves going to church. She went and got her vest, her book, and her bag and insisted that she was going.
You know how hard it was to tell her she couldn’t go. She had been sick for several days and I wanted her to really rest before returning to school and not spread anything more.
But her sweet little heart burned to go. She loves saying her verses and listening to stories about Jesus.
And I. DON’T. WANT. THAT. TO. EVER. END.
Her passion was so great that I almost gave in. She paraded through the house declaring her stance to go until the car pulled away.
Can we be more like that?
Let our passion to pursue God and the things that are about our Father be made known. May we make declarations that we will not go unheard and our pursuit of Him will not be evaded by a temporary setback. Share on X
May we firmly take our stance until the trumpet sounds and we are called to our heavenly home.
Blessings to you on your journey. I am so glad that you have chosen to spend some of it here with us at Seeking God!
Dust Off Your Feet
I hope you are ready to dust of your feet because we are ready to take a break from the dirt road. The next leg of the journey is going to be face-to-face with Jesus.
I have loved this journey and am really excited for the next step. Next, here at Seeking God. we are going to study the people that Jesus had more intimate conversations with. We learn another aspect of the heart of Jesus when we get up close and intimate with Him and that is my desire for us.
There were so many people that He met along the way. Some He journeyed by on the dirt roads but some He sat with and had amazing conversations with. I am excited to explore those conversations further and I hope you will join me and we see Jesus face-to-face.
Linkup with Sitting Among Friends Blog Party
Blog Parties are such a great place to meet people and build connections around the web. This is one reason, I love this party. Please make sure to visit another friend in the linkup!
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Michele Morin says
You’ve captured so much good NT truth here from Jesus’ own life story, and the thing that stands out most to me today is God’s equipping. Even when I feel inadequate (and when I KNOW I”m inadequate) I’m carried.
Beth says
I love that you love God’s word, Jaime! I hope that your studies continue to inspire and deepen the faith of those who come alongside you! Thanks for the linkup, my friend! And have a great week!
Debbie Williams says
Jaime it’s so true He will equip us. I’ve learned that when I listen and obey I am able to do what He has called me to do and one of them was blogging.
Bettie G says
Thank you for sharing this great study of God’s Word. What a wonderful gift that you stir up in each of us, but also in the heart of your daughter: to be hungry to learn more about HIM! May He continue to bless that gift in you!
KellyRBaker says
Thanks for the encouragement. Lately I’ve been getting good at reminding God of my limitations when He calls me to do something in my calling. *facepalm
Rachel Lee says
He made His dwelling among us, to be like us, so that we could one day be like Him- Such a wonderful truth!
Char (Chronically Hopeful) says
Enjoying your posts! Just joined you on this journey last week, so this overview was great. We are so quick to turn our eyes to ourselves and forget how Great our God is. It’s an important lesson I love to remind people about too: God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.
Love the excitement your little one has, I pray that light always shines so bright!
June says
This has been such a great series, Jaime! I will admit there are days, those difficult ones, where I sit in His presence and look toward the east with hope. But I think (I hope!) that most of the time I am about His business. I would not want to be so heavenly minded that I am of no earthly good! Have a blessed week!
SUSAN SHIPE says
We aren’t enough and that is why God sent His Son, His one and only Son, who is Enough and fills our empty spaces. Sorry I’m late again!
Maree Dee says
Loved your post, it encouraged me to keep moving and believing God will equip me for anything he calls me too.
I look for Jesus when I am flying. I gaze out the window and hope I will see him walking on the clouds.
Donna Reidland says
Great post, Jaime. My favorite part was His answer when we make excused about why we’re the wrong person for the job. “I am.” He is the reason we do what we do, but He’s also the One who enables us. Thanks for that great reminder. Thanks, too, for hosting.