What Are You Building Your Life On? ~ by Amy Vest

"Boom.  Boom, boom."  I partially woke up and then drifted back off to sleep, thinking people were setting of fireworks in our area.  "BOOM!"  I was awake.  No, it wasn't fireworks - it was real thunder, really close.

I checked the weather to see how serious it was.  We were under a flash flood warning for a few hours.  I was grateful as I reflected on how our house should be safe in a flash flood because of the position and construction.

As I sat there in the dark, an illustration Jesus gave came to mind:

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”  Matthew 7:24-27

Our lives are like houses and we will all face storms.  Where we are building is crucial.

Let's ask ourselves, "What are we building our lives on?"

Jesus tells us that if we build our lives on Him and - hearing and doing - His Word, we will stand secure.  But, if we base our lives on other things, we will fall.

The Bible - the Word of God - is 100%, unchanging, and infallible Truth.  This is where He shows us Who He Is, what is Truth, how we can know Him, gives us His promises, guides us in the way He created us to live, and so much more.  When we base our lives on His Word, by His grace, we are unshakable.

I know from personal experience that when I build my life on anything but the Word of God, instability results.  Feelings, circumstances, people, appearance, money, etc. all are fallible and changing.  Jesus and His Word are Truth and steadfast.

Every area that is built on Jesus and His Word will stand secure.

Notice that there are two parts to Jesus' illustration - 1. Hearing, and 2. Doing. First, we must hear God's Word - by reading or listening to the Bible. Secondly, we must act in obedience to what we've heard.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."  James 1:22

Imagine you wanted to build something and you just read the instructions but never acted on what you read.  We must read the Bible and receive God's grace to live in it. 

So, if today I read, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding...", I have heard it.  Now I must ask the Lord for help to apply it in my daily life - to put my faith in Him and His Word over my logic or feelings.  The more this takes place by the Lord's power, the stronger the "house" of our lives will become. 

Jesus invites us to hear and build our lives on His Word for His glory and our good!

I want this, don't you?

Let's answer Jesus' call to receive His grace to both hear and do His Word today - and build our lives upon what will last forever!

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Join the conversation!  We'd love for you to leave a comment below and share:

What is one verse from the Bible that you are building your life on right now?

Secrets to Being Mightily Used by God ~ Session 2 ~ Changing Your World for Christ Conference Video

Secrets to Being Mightily Used by God ~ Changing Your World for Christ ~ Session 2 (2007 Edition) from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

Join us for Session 2 of the Changing Your World for Christ Conference ~ Secrets to Being Mightily Used by God! This is a powerful and fun session filled with encouragement in allowing God to use you for His glory!

Companion handout available at www.lovingthelordministries.org!

"Those who look to Him are radiant..."

Captivated with Jesus ~ by Amy Vest

Captivated with Jesus.  This is how I want to live.  You too?

Let's ask ourselves the very real question: What are you captivated with?

We can tell what we are captivated with by what we think and talk about, spend time and money on, or do in our spare time.  What would it be for you?  I am asking myself the same question.

Who - or what - has your heart? 

I want it to be Jesus.  Always.

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~ Matthew 6:21

What does being captivated with Jesus look like?  Here is a little glimpse.

When you truly meet Jesus, fix your eyes on Him, and grow in knowing Him, everything else fades more and more into the background in view of the glorious light of all that He is.  The tinfoil of the world that used to sparkle grows dull in light of the radiance of Jesus.  You realize that Jesus alone is the source of all you desire and the only place to look.  When you become captivated with Jesus, it is a point of no return - you are never the same and desire to only grow knowing Him more all of your life. 

Jesus' love, purity, grace, faithfulness, power, patience - and so much more - captivate your heart, both satisfying you and making you long for more of Him!  You fall more and more in love with Jesus, taste true satisfaction that you long for in the deepest parts of your soul, are riveted on His glory, and you want more.

You find yourself thinking, "I want to dive into my Bible or a book about Jesus - not so I look spiritual - but, because I want Jesus - to discover and personally know more of Him who has captivated my heart!  I want to be where He is, know His heart, and live in a way that honors Him."

Your heart echoes the prayer in Psalms 27:4, "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

It is not that we never struggle or get distracted with other less important things.  We are human and we will.  But when we do, we always see that those things never truly satisfy, and the Lord will always bring our hearts back to our true joy - Jesus!

Nothing compares to Jesus.   

When we are captivated and satisfied by Jesus, all of life takes on a new perspective. 

It is not that we never think about or love anything or anyone else!  It is that Jesus is the One who captivates our hearts and we see everything else in light of being captivated with Jesus.

For example:
~ I still eat food - but, I do it, not looking to the food to satisfy me like only Jesus can, but for it to nourish me to walk with, love, and serve Him more!
~ I still treasure time with people - but, I do it looking to Jesus to satisfy what no human can, and seeking to share and receive His love through fellowship and ministry.
~ I still... and you can fill in the blank for yourself.  Do you get the picture?

He gives us all we need and then gives us His desires in light of all that He is.

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  ~ Psalm 37:4

It is where our heart is.

Yesterday in church, we sang one of my favorite songs, and these words struck me so sweetly and strongly, "We will fix our eyes on You, so we can set our hearts on You."

Here is something important to remember - If you want to be captivated with Jesus, do not wait until you feel captivated with Jesus.  Seek Jesus, ask Him to reveal Himself to you, pursue Him... As you know Him, you will grow in captivation with Him.  It is about riveting our hearts on what His Word promises will satisfy - Jesus - and then allowing our feelings to follow.

Here are some helpful ways to do this:
~ Giving Him first place in your heart
~ Time with Him
~ Reading His Word and growing in knowing Who He is
~ Prayer
~ Worship
~ Fellowship with others who are captivated with Him

Here is the beautiful thing - Jesus wants to captivate your heart, friend.  He is pursuing your heart - both to save you from your sins and then for an ever deepening personal relationship with Him.  He is for you and wants to help you to listen to His Word, see evidences of His love, and know Him.  He promises to help you as you pursue Him, battle the enemy's distractions, and embrace all that the Lord has for you in Himself. Your call is to respond by His grace and pursue Him - and prepare to be dazzled with all that He is.


"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." ~ Jeremiah 31:3

Jesus created you to be captivated with Him.  This is where your deepest joy and His greatest glory meet.

Jesus, only Jesus is all that you ever need.

It is a lifelong joy of growing more captivated with Jesus.

The promise - "Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."  ~ Psalm 34:7

The Change Must Begin in You ~ Session 1 ~ Changing Your World for Christ Conference Video

The Change Must Begin in You ~ Changing Your World for Christ ~ Session 1 (2007 Edition) from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.


Join us for Session 1 of the Changing Your World for Christ Conference ~ The Change Must Begin in You ~ as we look at how the Lord brings transformation from the inside out!

We encourage you to download the handouts available on the website and do a personal Bible study with the material!  You can find the handouts by clicking HERE!

Exciting News - July Online Conference - Changing Your World for Christ!

We are so excited to announce that for the month of July, we will be posting one video session each week from the Changing Your World for Christ Conference!*

This conference is designed to encourage you in allowing Christ to do a transforming work from the inside out to bring His glory in and through your life in a way that not only changes you, but also the world around you!

Sessions include:
~ The Change Must Begin in You
~ Secrets to Being Mightily Used by God
~ Getting a Vision from the Lord for Your Life
~ Sharing the Gospel
~ The Impact of One Life

The sessions include companion handouts that will be posted on the LTLM website - www.lovingthelordministries.org - along with the videos!

(This conference was held and recorded in 2007.)

The first session will be posted this week, so stay tuned!

We look forward to seeking Jesus with you!

*Due to a lack of video posts in the past and then posting some early to offer a video each week of this month, we will resume the every other week video posting pattern mid August through the rest of the year!

Consider Jesus ~ by Amy Vest

“Consider Jesus…” (Hebrews 3:1)

These words keep ringing in my heart.  As they do, the Lord is applying them in a transforming way that echoes in my life.

Take a moment to let these words sink in.

“Consider” in Greek means = "to observe fully:—behold, consider, discover, perceive."

Picture considering something for purchase.  What do you do?  You look at it, think about it and different aspects of it, and take deep interest in it.

Who does this verse call us to consider?  Jesus!

When you consider Jesus – Who He is, what He said and promised, what He has done and is doing – you begin to see more and more in His Word that His:
- power is limitless
- love is unchanging
- wisdom is perfect
…and so much more!

The reality of who He is colors every other area of your life – and it is life changing.

For example - If I am fixing my eyes on, thinking about, worshiping Him for, and living in faith in His love and control over all things, I will struggle less and less with fear about the future and embrace today more and more as His best for me. 

Can you see how this affects our lives?

Jesus changes everything, and when we fix our eyes on Him, everything begins to change, too.

Isn’t this exciting?

I love analogies and the Bible is full of them.  Hebrews 12 compares our Christian life to a race.  If you have done any kind of running, you will understand the pictures in these verses.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”~ Hebrews 12:1-3

I was in a race with my brother and some friends and it was a wonderful experience.  I noticed this as I ran – when my focus got too much on my running friends, the weather, or feelings of tiredness – my performance changed.  But, when I focused where I should, I was able to plug along and embrace the race.

It is similar in a much deeper way in our Christian life.

We can love Jesus so much, and yet our mind can slip to spending most of our time considering things other than Jesus.

When I look within or without and consider myself and my weaknesses, circumstances, relationships, or feelings – I grow weary, faint, and discouraged.

But, when I look up and consider Jesus and His strength, His Word, and His work – I am encouraged, strengthened, and spurred on to run with and for Him with all of my heart.

Jesus invites us to lift our eyes from:
- our need to His sufficiency
- our weakness to His strength
- our sin to His grace
- our pain to His comfort…
and then run with patience the race He has for us, knowing He is with us every step.

This is the life that He is calling us to, friends.  Let’s receive His grace to fix our eyes on and consider Jesus.  As we do, our lives will be transformed. 

Vibrant Christian Life Conference ~ Session 6 ~ Keys to Maintaining Vibrancy

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 6 - Keys to Maintaining Vibrancy (2007 Edition) from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

Having Devotions that Change Your Life ~ Video

Join us for some special encouragement and ideas as you seek Jesus and spend time with Him this summer!


Loving the Lord Videocast #5 - Having Devotions that Change Your Life from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."  ~ Hebrews 11:6

The Summer Devotions Pursuit 2015 Starts TODAY!

Summer Devotions Pursuit from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

We would like to invite you to join us for the 2015 Summer Devotions Pursuit - starting TODAY! This is a special time of seeking Jesus from June 1st - August 31st!

Here are the basic details:
WHO: You and Jesus
WHERE: Wherever you are
WHEN: June 1st - August 31st, 2015

WHAT IS INVOLVED:
- 15 minutes of devotions a day
- Memorizing 1 verse a week
- Choosing and contacting an accountability partner once every 2 weeks
... and an amazing summer with Jesus!You can print off a chart to keep track on the LTLM website - http://lovingthelordministries.org/event-items/summer-pursuit!

REWARD: When you complete the Summer Pursuit: You send in your chart by September 7th and you receive a reward in the mail - in addition to the best reward of knowing Jesus!
This year's reward will be a special surprise package!

RSVP: It is not necessary to let us know that you are taking part in the Summer Devotions Pursuit - You can just send your chart in at the end of the summer when you complete the Pursuit!  (That said, you can leave a comment on this post just for fun to let us know you are taking part!)
You can watch the "Summer Devotions Pursuit 2015" video (http://vimeo.com/41883667) and visit the website (www.lovingthelordministries.org) for more details.  You can contact us at info@lovingthelordministries.org with questions.  Invite your friends to join us!!!

This is going to be an amazing summer of pursuing and growing in knowing Jesus!  Pursue Jesus with all that you are this summer, friends. He is so amazing! He will meet with you - and you will never be the same!

Our prayer is that for each of us this summer will be a powerful time to begin, or deepen, a life pattern of seeking Jesus and growing in experiencing His goodness every day!

"You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”' ~ Psalm 27:8

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." ~ Hebrews 11:6

The Summer Devotions Pursuit starts TODAY! We are so excited for all that the Lord has in store as you seek Him this summer! ♡ He is so amazing! Are you ready?

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Summer Devotions Pursuit

Here are some answers to questions we often get about the Summer Devotions Pursuit!

~ You can read anywhere you want in the Bible.

~ You can memorize whatever verses you want.

~ Your accountability partner can be anyone of any age.

~ If you find out about the Summer Pursuit late, you can catch up the time and verses from the days you missed before you found out.

We hope this is helpful - our goal is to help you have time with the Lord, be in the Word, and have the Word in you!

"Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” ~ Hosea 6:3

Feel free to ask any other questions below and we will be happy to answer!

"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." ~ Psalm 107:9

The Summer Devotions Pursuit Starts Tomorrow!

The Summer Devotions Pursuit starts TOMORROW! Join us for an amazing summer of seeking Jesus! More information at www.lovingthelordministries.org!

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." ~ Psalm 63:1

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 5 - Having an Unquenchable Zeal for God

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 5 - Having an Unquenchable Zeal for God (2007 Edition) from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

Join us for Session 5 of the Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Having an Unquenchable Zeal for God - as we look at seeking a passion for God with all of our heart!

Companion handout coming soon to www.lovingthelordministries.org!

Announcing the Summer Devotions Pursuit 2015!

Summer Devotions Pursuit from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

We would like to invite you to join us for the 2015 Summer Devotions Pursuit - a special time of seeking Jesus from June 1st - August 31st!

Here are the basic details:
WHO: You and Jesus
WHERE: Wherever you are
WHEN: June 1st - August 31st, 2015

WHAT IS INVOLVED:
- 15 minutes of devotions a day
- Memorizing 1 verse a week
- Choosing and contacting an accountability partner once every 2 weeks
... and an amazing summer with Jesus!You can print off a chart to keep track on the LTLM website - http://lovingthelordministries.org/event-items/summer-pursuit!

REWARD: When you complete the Summer Pursuit: You send in your chart by September 7th and you receive a reward in the mail - in addition to the best reward of knowing Jesus!
This year's reward will be a special surprise package!

RSVP: It is not necessary to let us know that you are taking part in the Summer Devotions Pursuit - You can just send your chart in at the end of the summer when you complete the Pursuit!  (That said, you can leave a comment on this post just for fun to let us know you are taking part!)
You can watch the "Summer Devotions Pursuit 2015" video (http://vimeo.com/41883667) and visit the website (www.lovingthelordministries.org) for more details.  You can contact us at info@lovingthelordministries.org with questions.  Invite your friends to join us!!!

This is going to be an amazing summer of pursuing and growing in knowing Jesus!  Pursue Jesus with all that you are this summer, friends. He is so amazing! He will meet with you - and you will never be the same!

Our prayer is that for each of us this summer will be a powerful time to begin, or deepen, a life pattern of seeking Jesus and growing in experiencing His goodness every day!

"You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”' ~ Psalm 27:8

"...we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 4 - Living for Eternity

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 4 - Living for Eternity (2007 Edition) from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

Join us for Session 4 of the Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Living for Eternity - as we look at the importance and joy of living for what will last forever! 

Companion handout coming soon to www.lovingthelordministries.org!

Obedience - A Pathway to Joy ~ by Amy Vest

I don't often do this.  I don't often sit down with nothing on my heart to write about.  Usually there is something the Lord puts on my heart and gives me to write about. He causes the words to flow into my heart and out my fingers into words - and I pray He anoints them and uses them by His Spirit in hearts.

Today is different.

I have nothing specific to write.  But I feel Him beckoning me to write a blog post.  And so I am.

As I type, I realize that this is exactly what I am supposed to write about.  Obedience.  As I type that word - that word that can hold so many reactions - I know, this is what I am supposed to write on.  This is something He has been teaching me in a real, practical, moment-by-moment way lately.

Obedience to Jesus is something we never move beyond, only deeper into.

Obedience to Jesus shows that I believe Him, that I trust Him, that I love Him - obedience is outwardly witnessing that He is my Lord.

When I don't obey, I am really saying that I believe that what I think is good for me is better than what Jesus thinks is good for me. {Ouch, that hurts - but, it is true!}

Disobedience to Jesus is sin, proof of pride, foolish, and leads us in the wrong direction.

When I obey - even when I don't understand - I am saying that I believe Jesus is wise, good, loving, that His plan, ways, and heart is perfect, and that He will always keep His promises. 

Obedience to Jesus brings joy to His heart - and mine, is evidence of freeing humility in my life, and leads us to His best for us.

Obedience is proof that I love Jesus - and that I believe He loves me.

Jesus says it: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands." 2 John 1:6

When we obey Him - what He calls us to do in His Word, the Bible, and what He leads us to do in moment-by-moment life in line with His Word - it brings us closer to Him.  When I listen to His voice and follow in obedience, I know more of His heart and am led in His path for me.  I want that - don't you?  But, when I disobey, I harden my heart and it hinders my closeness with Jesus.  Oh friend, we don't want that!

It is a daily, moment-by-moment choice.   It takes place in a million different ways each day - in answering His call to meet with Him in His Word, to speaking with love, to being honest in your work, to _________ - you can fill in the blank.  Each choice leads us either deeper with Jesus and His path for us, or hinders our relationship with Him and His work through us.

Here's the thing.  We cannot obey in our own strength.  Everything the Lord calls us to, He gives us the grace to do, and everything He calls us to do is impossible apart from Him - beautifully designed to cause us to rely on and come to greater depths with Jesus Who walks with us every step of the way.  It is saying, "Jesus, please help me obey You." and stepping out in faith, believing He always will!

And for the times we disobey, Jesus stands ready with open arms for us to turn from going our own way and run into His arms to walk with and obey Him afresh.

The path of obedience to Jesus is a doorway to greater joy - because it is a doorway to more of Jesus and His best for you.

Let's answer Him with a joyful, "Yes, Lord!" from a heart overflowing with love!

Friend, I imagine your heart is echoing this prayer with mine:

"I want to obey You, Jesus.  I want to want to obey You, Jesus.  I want to sit at Your feet, know You more, soak in Your Word, and to beg for and allow You to change my heart so that out will spill love that will motivate obedience to You.  I want to obey even when my feelings are leading me to do something else - because I know that You love and know what is best for me far more than my feelings do! I am asking You afresh for grace in this moment to obey You!  In Your Name, Amen."

What is Jesus calling you to obey Him in today?

Right now He is calling me to obey and go help prepare dinner.  I'll see you later! :)

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 

“If anyone would come after me, 

let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 

For whoever would save his life will lose it, 

but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."'

~ Matthew 16:24-25

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 3 - Finding True Life

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 3 - Finding True Life (2007 Edition) from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

Join us for Session 3 of the Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Finding True Life - as we look at how when we surrender to Jesus, we truly begin to live! 

Companion handout coming soon to www.lovingthelordministries.org!

Looking at the Beauty of Jesus and Calling Others to Join Us ~ by Amy Vest

"Oooooh!"  The words escape from my lips as I stare in awe at a gorgeous sunset over the water.  The colors are rich, brilliant, and ever changing as the sun sinks deeper in the evening sky. 

I cannot help but call those around me to see and experience the beauty, too, "Oh, look at the sunset!"  They join me in "Oooo"s and "Aaaa"s as they take in the beauty, too.  Together we behold and exclaim over the beauty.

Once we have beheld beauty, wonder, awe we want others to see it, too.

This how it is with Jesus - and even more so!  We see His absolute beauty, are transformed, and cannot keep Him to ourselves.  When we "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8), we naturally desire for others to, as well.

I remember when I first really began to know Jesus, my heart was so satisfied, and I wanted everyone in the world to see and know this precious Savior of mine - and that desire continues today!

Recently my family went to an indoor aquarium.  My little adorable nephew came and spent a lot of the time in my arms. (Happy sigh.)  We had so much fun.

One of my favorite memories was entering a walkway that was encircled by glass on both sides and above our heads.  All kinds of beautiful fish, sting rays, and sea turtles swam by, and over, us.  It was stunningly beautiful.

I held my nephew in my arms and would point and say, "Oh, Buddy! Look at that - pretty fish, big shark, turtle, etc.!  Didn't God make pretty things?" 

At first, he just watched, then cuddled with his head on my shoulder and soaked it in, and then, it happened - He started pointing, too. 
"Tuwtle!"  He said in his toddler voice. 
"Yes!"  I would exclaim. 
"Tuwtle! Amy, Look! Tuwtle!"  He got it.
He was pointed to the beauty, saw the beauty, and began to point himself.

This is our call - and joy - as those who have seen Jesus, my friends! 

We are called to behold the beauty of Jesus, be captured and transformed by it, and invite others to look, too!

The Lord calls us to first look to Him and behold His beauty ourselves (like we have talked about in earlier posts).
 
“Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22

We will be forever changed and never want to stop looking to Him!

"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple."  Psalm 27:4
 
When we see the beauty of Jesus - we want others to see Him, too!

"... we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”  Acts 4:20

I love in the Bible the accounts where people who personally encountered Jesus called those they knew to come and see Jesus!

~ The woman at the well and the people of her village: "Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him."  (John 4:28-39)

~ Philip and Nathanael:
"The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”...Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”  Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ...Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:43-49)

The people called encountered Jesus for themselves - and we read over and over how they, too, were changed by beholding Him themselves.  Our privilege and responsibility is to point to Jesus, pray, and trust the Lord for the rest.
 
What are some practical ways we can do this?
~ Have your eyes on Him and life pointing to Him - the rest will flow from this.

~ Talk about Him and who He is to you

~ Share a verse about Him and who He is
~ Share a worship song and worship Jesus for who He is with them
~ Ask to pray together and spend time praising the Lord for who He is
~ Write a letter sharing ways you are knowing Him
~ Give a Bible or book about Him and knowing Him
~ Do a Bible study together
~ Encourage them to seek Jesus on their own

Oh, we have the priceless gift of beholding the beauty of Jesus and calling others to see Him, too!

We were made for this - to know Jesus and to make Him known.

My friends, look at Jesus and His beauty - and call others to join you!

Such beauty cannot be kept to ourselves.

"Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed."  Psalm 34:5 

"I have been crucified with Christ. 
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
~ Galatians 2:20

No Greater Love ~ by Amy Vest

Jesus died on the cross for the sins I have committed, bore the Father's wrath and was separated from the Father in my place, and descended into the torment of hell where I deserved to be.

After bearing my torment, Jesus snatched the keys of death and hell from the enemy, rose again to life victorious, and offers forgiveness from sin, a right relationship with God, freedom, grace, and power to follow Him by His life within a heart, and eternal life to those who trust and follow Him as Lord and Savior!

There is no greater love. ♡ 

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." ~ John 15:13

He offers this to you, friend.  Have you trusted in Jesus and His saving work yourself, and yielded your life to follow Him?

If you have not, you can today.  Jesus died and rose so that you could!  You can read more about this HERE.

If you have placed your trust in Him, may your joy in Him deepen as you dwell on His amazing love and grace that gave His all so that we might live and be His own!

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God..." ~ 1 Peter 3:18

"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

May you have a blessed weekend remembering Jesus, His death, burial, and victorious resurrection, and the new life He offers to all that trust in Him!

Thank You, Jesus! ♡

"Greater love has no one than this..."

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." 

~ John 15:13

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?..."

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."  
~ Galatians 1:10

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 2 - Living for the Praise of God Alone

Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Session 2 - Living for the Praise of God Alone (2007 Edition) from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

Join us for Session 2 of the Vibrant Christian Life Conference - Living for the Praise of God Alone!

Companion handout coming soon to www.lovingthelordministries.org!

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." ~ Galatians 1:10