7/18/18 – Pastor Brian’s Blog –
When this blog posts Judy and I will be at Word of Life family camp with my church family as well as some of my kids: Heidi and her family and Jeremy and his family. “Family” is one of my favorite words.
Do you have a favorite word? A word that when you hear it, it just brings a smile to your face? This week when my grandson Lucas arrives at camp and sees me, I know for a fact that this huge smile will come on his face as he runs to me and uses the word Papa. “Papa” is another one of my favorite words. And when at camp, another word I love to hear (well, let’s make that two words) is “Let’s eat!”
Do you think God has a favorite word? I am not sure that God has a favorite word but one of His words that we should love to hear is “come.” When the disciples heard the word come, it changed their life forever… “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Imagine having someone you care for, paralyzed and suffering enormous physical pain and hearing Jesus say, I will come…. When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” Matthew 8:5-7
Have you done some pretty terrible things? Maybe you have hurt the people you love the most, maybe you wonder how anyone could love or forgive you. Then you realize that God has come for people just like you…. On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13
When you get discouraged, when you get overwhelmed, when you fight off that depression that wants to consume you, where do you go? Jesus said… “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Looking for a miracle in your life, Jesus says come… “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:29
Ever feel like it is not worth it, that it is too hard to live for God? When Satan is trying to convince you that this is true; remember that Jesus is coming…. For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27
When you think that no one is interested in helping you or meeting your needs; remember Jesus comes to serve you… Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
When God comes, everything can change forever. Look at what happened to Mary… The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35
Someone once said, ‘Plan like you are going to be here for a long time but live like you are going home today.’ Jesus is coming, we just don’t know when…. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:40
Ever have a time when you were not sure what to do? Well when Jesus comes everything becomes clearer… This is the verdict: Light has come into the world. John 3:19
Ever feel like you are in a dry patch in your relationship with God or you feel like you need more, Jesus said just come…. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. John 7:37
Looking for more from life? Well God said that is why He came… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
Ever feel like you cannot make anyone happy? People can be so quick to judge, to criticize us, but that is not why Jesus came at all… For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. John 12:47
This week we had 4 deaths affect our church family. Because each one knew Christ as their personal Savior, we did not lose them because we know right where they are… And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:3
Think God has deserted you? Not at all! He is coming back for you… “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This 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
But until then, God has come to live in us… Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23
Ever feel like a failure, like you can’t do anything right? The disciples must have felt like this after they all ran from the cross, and one of them even denied Jesus 3 times yet when Jesus caught up with them, there was no rebuke nor did Jesus publicly embarrass them. Jesus just told them to come and fellowship with me…. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12
Whether Jesus tells us to come or if He makes the 1st move and comes to us, when we are in the presence of God everything changes, especially us!!
Judy and I have COME to Word of Life Family camp this week, to hang out with family, why don’t you COME over and visit, Judy and I would love to see you!!
