I have had several people mention they really enjoyed the daily devotions I was asked to write for our church's Spiritual Groth Campaign we called "Who is Jesus to You?, or WIJ2U? for short. So, for those of you who may have not received all of them, I decided to post them here for archival purposes. I hope they are a blessing to you.
JESUS: CHARACTERIZED BY BOLDNESS
When we picture our Lord Jesus, what is the first thought that comes into your mind? Is it an image of a gentle man surrounded by children? Is it a meek persona with arms outstretched, smiling and standing on the clouds of heaven? While these images are not necessarily inaccurate, there is more to our Savior than the peace and tranquil images we often associate with Him. Throughout the scriptures, Jesus is characterized by boldness. He is bold in his teachings to the masses. He is bold in his accusations with the Pharisees and hypocritical religious leaders. He was bold in his clearing of the temple. He was bold as He proclaimed before Pilate’s question of His Kingship: “Yes, it is you say.” (Luke 23:3).
If you are like me, my conversations with others dance mostly in the realm of the superficial, the “small talk” of life, if you will. Even when serious issues arise in the lives of others, there is a temptation just to leave things with a simple “Everything’s going to be okay” and go about your normal life. When, it many circumstances, there are opportunities for boldness that are missed. Let me encourage you today in your conversations with others that when a subject arises in which you can offer a word of testimony about Christ, do it! Perhaps a need arises in which you can suggest trust in the healing power of our Lord by offering to pray for a person. Perhaps someone confides with you about a sense of hopelessness in which you can offer to them Jesus as a source of hope. Perhaps instead of a half-hearted “Don’t worry about it,” you can offer a scripture God laid on your heart as a word of encouragement. Don’t let those opportunities for boldness pass you by. Look for them today.
I’ll close today’s devotion with an encouragement from a psalmist that was not ashamed of the God he served, and was not afraid to proclaim the name of His God to others. I like what he says in Psalm 119:46 (NLT):
“I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.”
If we are not bold enough to speak with our friends, the chances are slim that we will possess the boldness to speak with the authority needed to influence our government leaders and change our society for Christ.
JESUS: WONDERFUL WAY-MAKER
I love amusement parks. I grew up on Carowinds, but have expanded my park repertoire to include Busch Gardens, Kentucky Kingdom, King’s Dominion, Six Flags, Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, and the Disney parks. Of course, I’m not as young as I used to be, and vertigo and bad ankles have taken their toll on what I want to ride vs. what I know I can handle. Still, I love a good day in a park. My family and friends who go with me to these places have a nickname for me: “The Plan Master.” There is a little sarcasm in that title as they know that if I go into a park we’ve never been too before, I have already got a planned order of rides to tackle, based on which rides are the most popular at what time of the day. I’ll come equipped with having read books or websites on the park, and have the park map memorized. Still, my plan doesn’t always work. There’s that unexpected bathroom visit that throws us off schedule. Then, the brand new coaster breaks down, putting you about 30 minutes behind. And then, someone in the group wants to stop to watch the Country Music dance show. But that wasn’t part of MY PLAN!!!
Babbie Mason’s song “Hallowed Be Thy Name” has a line in it that describes our Lord as “Wonderful Way-maker.” Don Moen has a worship song that declared “God will make a way when there seems to be no way….” Rich Mullins’ timeless “Step by Step” proclaims “I will learn to walk in Your way.” Where does Jesus fit into the picture in regards to the plans for Your life? Do you serve as your own “Plan-master” or are you letting Christ be your “Wonderful Way-maker?” Only Christ can help you when the plan YOU had for your life fails. As you look at your life, are you at a place where He is in the driver’s seat?
In Psalm 119:59, the psalmist says:
“I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.”
Notice the transitional statement, “I turned…” After you have had enough of making unsuccessful and ever-changing plans for yourself, isn’t it time to turn? Turn from your sin, turn from your past, and turn to follow Him. Let Him be your Way-maker today.
JESUS: THE RESCUER
We all have a need and desire for safety. In a post- “9-11” world, reminders about how to keep ourselves “safe” and out of harm’s way are never out of reach. Increased security in airports, metal detectors at store entrances, and anti-virus/identity protection warnings on our computer screens are all around us. We want to trust in many of these safeguards, but they often leave us still with nothing more than a reminder that danger is lurking. Despite this, we can take comfort in a Savior that still is in the rescuing business. Throughout the Scriptures, we see evidence of the Lord delivering those he cares about. In Psalm 31, David’s trust in a rescuing God is made evident in a heart-felt cry for rescue from His Lord. As you read the passage below, focus on how our Lord embodies the words I have underlined. David surely did.
1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. 2 Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. 3 You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. 4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. 5 I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.
6 I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place. (NLT)
It is obvious in David’s prayer that he places his trust in THE ONLY SOURCE of true rescue. And greater still, we have today the means of ultimate rescue – from sin and death with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus’ power is greater than any evil, addiction, or hardship that the world can throw at us. When you turn on the news today, you no doubt will be hit with a message of the latest terrorist scheme, the seeming hopelessness of the evils of this world, and man’s attempts to thwart it. Let me encourage you to dwell instead on the great Rescuer who proclaimed to his disciples in the days before His death:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)
JESUS: TWO REASONS TO REJOICE
I wonder what it was really like following Jesus as one of his disciples while he walked this earth as a man. On one hand, it doesn’t seem like much of a life, wondering around almost as a nomad, depending town by town upon the kindnesses of strangers with tired feet soiled from dusty roads. On the other hand, what a joy it would have been to see firsthand the Son of God taking the lame up by the hand and seeing them walk; casting out evil spirits from those held in bondage by their grasp many years; seeing a dead man walk out from his tomb – ALIVE!
We often forget that it wasn’t just Jesus that healed and cast off demons. His disciples, scriptures say, also performed miracles as well, and they were pretty excited by the God-given ability to do so! We read about this in Luke 10:17-20 (NLT)
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
Now despite the varying and wild interpretations associated with verse 19, there are some primary principles we can gain from this account, specifically that we have two reasons to rejoice in the relationship we have with Jesus. First, Christ affirms the disciple’s amazement with confirmation they had been given authority and power to cast out these evil spirits. However, as awesome as this power was, this pales in comparison to the true gift that they (and we) have: citizenship in heaven. Christ reminds us in verse 20 that this gift is far more of a reason to celebrate than casting out demons.
So today, be thankful for the two gifts Christ has pointed out in this passage: 1) The authority and power to overcome evil, and 2) The gift of citizenship in heaven. And if you haven’t claimed these gifts yet, know that a relationship with the gift-giver awaits you.
JESUS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
If any of you have spent any time around me, you’ll know that one of my biggest hobbies is collecting “Transformer” toys. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, “Transformers” are toy robots that change into another form, whether that is an animal, car, plane, or something else. This is their “disguise” of sorts, which makes them, as their catchphrase suggests “more than meets the eye.”
As we continue onward with our personal study of who Jesus really is, we must realize that with Him, there is also “More Than Meets the Eye.” You may have noticed the picture of Christ on the posters around the church advertising our campaign. You’ll notice that the picture looks somewhat distorted. Although I am unsure of the artist who created this image, it appears that through natural deterioration or for artistic effect, they’ve created a picture that seems faded and a bit distorted. It creates the effect that parts of the image are missing.
What does the picture of Jesus in your mind look like so far? Perhaps there are “chunks” missing, or maybe part of the image you have is a little blurry. My prayer is that many of you will continue nurturing and tending your relationship with Christ, in order that the picture in your minds of who Christ really is continues to come into focus, preparing you for the day when, as Revelation 1:7(NIV) says:
“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…”
