Greetings in the name of the One to whom we sing … “Christ is the answer to my every need-Christ is the answer, He is my friend indeed-Problems of life my spirit may assail-With Christ my Saviour, I shall never fail-For Christ is the answer to my need” … Jesus Christ – THE Crucified and Risen Saviour! What a beautiful morning in the Kingdom with even a little frost on the pumpkins! This is an exciting day – we have entered into the Jewish celebration…The Feast of Tabernacles. It happens to co-ordinate with our Thanksgiving, which it is – seven days of being thankful to, aware of, and in surrender to God for making all of life possible. I am praying for you today, asking Father to grant you His favour!
First, hats off to you who realised that I made a mistake yesterday in the ‘date’… you get extra points! By my reckoning, this is “Day 4” of our “Reverse Bucket List” – so we get to acknowledge, at the end of the day, all that God brought to our attention of His goodness and provision. Is your list growing each day? Have you noticed God’s concern for the smallest details of what makes you smile or brings you pleasure? I am thankful today for being able to preview a new Christmas cd….yes, it is true – Christmas music!
I have been pondering a question that is asked of Jesus by some religious leaders…and then his response. In Matthew 19:16 and Mark 10:17 and Luke 18:18, Jesus is asked the question: What must we do to inherit (receive) eternal (God-quality) life? This seems to be a question that is still being asked by many followers of Jesus. What more can I do to, have more life? Jesus’ first response was to direct them to the words, commands, and traditions of the old covenant. The response of the leaders: We know all that, studied it for years, and it hasn’t had the effect we are looking for.” Then Jesus lays out the bottom line: One thing you lack…you haven’t obeyed and followed what you were directed to, what you supposedly learned – you must surrender all and follow me.
In John’s gospel we have the story of Nicodemus coming to talk with Jesus one evening. Nicodemus, in essence is asking the same question…and Jesus gives the same response: you have to be born again, you need a new start, what you have in your learning will not bring you life! – you need to surrender! and then Jesus gives the most profound and well-known verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him (surrenders to him) shall not perish (shall not lose themselves in religion) but have eternal life (God-quality life). John 3:16 NIV.
I was reading a book by Bill Hybels, called: “Simplify”, and I came away from the first chapter, or two, asking asking two questions and receiving one answer. The questions: What would my Christian life look like if I lived out what I say I believe? What do I really want in my life? The answer: Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness ( a surrendered relationship with Jesus Christ) and all these things will be given to you as well . Matthew 6:33 NIV. So, I wonder if then as now or if now as then, do his people try to complicate what is so simple: Jesus Christ is the answer…so surrender! Is that why it is so powerfully revealing and difficult to sing: I surrender all! ?
Be blessed