1 Corinthians 13:13

13 There are three things that will endure — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love. (NLT)

Love is the answer to the question. We were designed and built to love. We were created because God is love. God created us to love Him and to be loved by Him. We were designed to have an intimate relationship with Him. We are to love God with all our heart, with all our strength, with all our soul and with all our mind. It is love that brings us to faith in Christ. We are to put aside the old life and put on the new life in Christ which is a life of loving others as Christ loved them. Christ is the ultimate expression of love. It was because of love that Jesus went to the cross. There are three things that will endure forever, faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love. Our goal in life is to love others.

Jesus is the ultimate expression of Love.

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ

 

Words of Encouragement will be taking the summer off, will return in September.

Have a Great Summer

Luke 19:2-5

2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today."  (NLT)

 

Mark 10:13-16

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him. 14 But when Jesus saw what was happening, he was very displeased with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  15 I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God."  16 Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. (NLT)

 

Jesus was always watching out for others, especially those who people looked down on. In the case of Zacchaeus he was a short small man that people looked down on (no pun intended) and who they despised because he was a tax gatherer for the Romans (the Jews despised the Romans). But what did Jesus do? He invited Zacchaeus to join Him in Heaven forever. Jesus looked at Zacchaeus’ heart not his outward appearance. Jesus did not judge him, but brought salvation to him.

In the case of the children -- Jesus did not believe children should be seen and not heard but He put them in the middle along with everyone else. He used the children to illustrate a very important lesson. We (as adults) are to humble ourselves as children to come to a saving knowledge and an intimate relationship with God the Father. Our faith is to be childlike. And what did Jesus do as the children came to Him in faith? "Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” That is a beautiful picture of His love and grace.

Jesus looked out for the little guy.

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:20

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NLT)

 

As human beings we have been designed to have companionship. We begin at a very early age seeking out friends and later on in life we seek out a spouse. Jesus knows though at times we will be alone and this is why He says “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Jesus is always with you. You are not alone.

As Christ followers Jesus sees everything we do, even in private when others do not see us. The saying is true that we live in a glass house, for Jesus sees us, the Angels watch us and others are watching us. Jesus holds us accountable for what we do and what we say. Even when we think no one is watching we are being watched. Therefore guard your heart, be careful what you say, be careful what you do and obey what Jesus has said to you.

Jesus holds people accountable.

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ

Matthew 4:23

23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed people who had every kind of sickness and disease. (NLT)

 

Jesus did three things in His ministry: He taught, He preached and He healed. The major thing He did was teach. He was always teaching about God, the Kingdom of heaven and how your heart need to change. When He healed someone He always taught something along with the healing. Jesus used many illustrations in His ministry and those illustrations were to draw people to God. The Bible is a book with lots of illustrations aimed at teaching you to live better lives and to draw you closer to God. Jesus led by example and the Bible has lots of examples for you to follow and what not to follow. The Bible teaches many subjects and principles for you to apply to your daily life. You can read the Bible every day for 100 years and you will still find that God has something to teach you. Jesus wants your heart to be tuned into God so you don’t miss out on what God has for you.

Jesus taught and educated people.

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – Abiding with Jesus Christ

Ephesians 4:30-31

30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT)

 

As Christ followers we are to act very differently from the world. We are not to grieve or bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit through our way of living. But instead we are to forgive one another and to love one another. We are to forgive as God through Christ has forgiven you. Throw out the old life and put on the new life in Christ. Leave the old life in the dumpster and put on the new life in Christ that you have been given to wear. Our sole focus in life is to be on Christ and to follow and obey Him.

How often should we forgive? Luke 17:4 says, Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him." (NLT)

Continually.

How should we forgive? Hebrews 8:12 says, And I will forgive their wrongdoings, and I will never again remember their sins." (NLT)

We are not only to forgive others but we are to forget that they sinned against us. We are to forgive exactly how God has forgiven us.

Psalm 103:11-12 says, For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (KJV)

According to God, they are gone.

Jesus forgave

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – Abiding with Jesus Christ

John 1:42

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "You are Simon, the son of John — but you will be called Cephas" (which means Peter).  (NLT)

Matthew 16:18

18 Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (NLT)

 

The Hebrew name Simon means “The Flaky One” and Peter means “The Rock.” If you look at the apostles that Jesus Himself chose you probably wouldn’t want to hire any of them. But Jesus sees much deeper than we do. Jesus could see their potential. Jesus knew that they were worth it. Jesus also chose us. Some may think we are not worth it, but Jesus died for us because He saw that we were worth it. Jesus sees who we really are and who we can become and that is the person He created us to be. Did Jesus see Peter as the flaky one? No. Jesus saw Peter as a Rock. Jesus sees us as much more than we are and what we think we are. Jesus sees you as worthy, worthy of Salvation, worthy of grace, worthy of mercy, worthy of love and worthy to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

Jesus believes in you.

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – Abiding with Jesus Christ

Proverbs 28:13

13 People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy. (NLT)

Jesus never covered anything up. He was straight forward and honest with everyone. He even told the Pharisees who He was but they still could not believe it and kept asking Him “who are you.” Ever find yourself acting like that? When it comes to covering up sin it has a direct impact on your life. Covering up always leads downward in a spiraling motion. But confessing and forsaking sin lead you upward to Jesus and to a prosperous life in Christ.

Jesus was transparent before His people.

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – Abiding with Jesus Christ

Mark 5:21-24

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

21 When Jesus went back across to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. 22 A leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came and fell said in desperation. "Please come and place your hands on her; heal her so she can live."

24 Jesus went with him, and the crowd thronged behind. (NLT)

 

Jesus liked doing things for others and He liked doing things that would bring not only attention to God the Father but bring glory to His name. Jesus obviously said, "Yes" to this man that He would go with him to His daughter. Jairus came to Jesus but he had no faith, but at least he came to the right person, Jesus. Along the way Jesus had a plan to teach this man about faith. He showed him how faith works when someone is healed that you must believe and trust Him. Doubt and fear is what the enemy uses to destroy our faith in Christ.

The woman in verses 25 – 33 believed that she would be healed and that only Jesus could heal her so she went to Jesus. His power healed her, He said yes and He said to her "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed." 

Jesus went to Jairus’s house and healed his daughter. He strengthened Jairus’s faith by reminding him  "Don't be afraid. Just trust me." We bring honor and glory to God when we are not afraid, we trust Jesus and put our complete faith in Him. Jesus said yes so that others could be helped and we too must say yes that God will be glorified. Practice joyously, happily, trustingly saying yes more often and maybe even experiment for a day or two saying yes to others’ requests.

Jesus said yes.

 

Q: When have you spontaneously said yes to a request and been glad you did?

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – Abiding with Jesus Christ

Romans 6:15-23

Freedom to Obey God

15 So since God's grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you. 18 Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness.

19 I speak this way, using the illustration of slaves and masters, because it is easy to understand. Before, you let yourselves be slaves of impurity and lawlessness. Now you must choose to be slaves of righteousness so that you will become holy.

20 In those days, when you were slaves of sin, you weren't concerned with doing what was right. 21 And what was the result? It was not good, since now you are ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)

 

You are Free to serve and obey God. You are Free to do what is pleasing to God. You are Free to do His will.

You are FREE!

 

Engage the Present – Create the Future – Abiding with Jesus Christ