Each One Reach One

As I am following the reading schedule for the book of John we have for the next several weeks at the Adel Assembly of God, I keep going back to John 1. I am reminded how fresh His word is each day even if I were to read the same scripture every day.

Here are my stand out verses for today:

John 1:33 "I would not have known him, EXCEPT that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me . . ."

John 1:41 "The FIRST thing Andrew did was find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus."

John 1:45 "Philip FOUND Nathanael and told him . . ."

Jesus shared with John, John shared with Andrew, Andrew shared with his brother Simon (Peter) and BROUGHT him to Jesus, Andrew FOUND Nathanael and shared with him . . .

Look at Andrew's priorities once he heard what John the Baptist shared with him. He was a man convicted, convinced and committed. WOW! He is not one that I generally focus on when I have read this scripture. 

He was a man of action and a man on a mission. Got me to thinking: Who have I shared Jesus with lately and more importantly who have I brought to Jesus lately? How about you?

Who Are You?

Have you ever really thought about that - "Who are You"? As I read John 1:22 "Finally they said, "Who are you? . . ." I paused and reflected on how I would answer that question?

I can give all kinds of facts about me: where and when I was born, where I have lived, places I have been, schools I have attended, jobs I have had . . .

But in my soul, in my most inner being, in my heart - who am I? I guess some have battles within themselves as to who they are. Others are still searching. But I have a peace about who I am and whose I am.

I am a child of the one true King! There is not a doubt in my mind or in my heart who I am. This song by Matthew West says it best:

"Hello, my name is child of the one true King.

I've been save, I've been changed, I have been set free.

"Amazing Grace" is the song I sing. . . ."

How about you?

Who are you? Or I guess a better question is ~ WHOSE are you?

Put On Jesus

Romans 13:14 "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desire of the flesh."

What does Jesus on you look like today?

Is He kind? Is He loving? Is He compassionate? Is He thoughtful? Does He have a smile on His face and joy in His heart?

Put on Jesus today and see if it doesn't make a difference in your life and all those that you see.

NOT GUILTY

For me Romans 8 is probably one of the most powerful chapters in Paul's writings. After writing so much about our sinful nature, he begins with a WOWSER statement. Romans 8: 1-2 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

VERDICT: I am judged NOT guilty, I am set free.

The key to this verdict is a life in Jesus with the leading of the Holy Spirit - which is another discussion all unto its self. So I will save that for later as I meditate on my NOT GUILTY verdict because of my hope in Jesus.

Masters and Slaves

Masters and Slaves: these words readily bring up negative connotations for me.

When I think of Masters, I think of someone or something controlling everything about me: what I can and cannot do which results in me becoming a Slave.

Paul writes in Romans Chapters 5 and 6 that the sin of Adam made all mankind sinners and separated us from God but through Jesus we were restored to RIGHTEOUSNESS with God. We were ruined by sin and rescued by Christ. AMAZING! 

Romans 6:14: "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under GRACE."

Two key words here ~  RIGHTEOUSNESS and GRACE:
RIGHTEOUSNESS: a right relationship with God
GRACE: unconditional love of God

That is pretty AMAZING -- HIS GRACE!

After I posted this earlier, the Lord reminded me of an old song that says this perfectly:
"Once like a bird in prison I dwelt, no freedom from my sorrow I felt. Then Jesus came and listened to me and glory to God He set me free ~ He set me free, yes, He set me free. He broke the bonds of prison for me. I'm glory bound my Jesus to see for glory to God ~ He set me free."