2 Timothy 4:2 (VOICE)
go out and preach the word! Go whether it’s an opportune time or not! Reprove, warn, and encourage; but do so with all the patience and instruction needed to fulfill your calling
I was planning on telling the story of my first sermon. As I started writing Jesus changed the plan. He wanted me to share the Word instead of just telling the story. So here is the word He gave me.
Hebrews 6:19-20 (VOICE)
That hope is real and true, an anchor to steady our restless souls, a hope that leads us back behind the curtain to where God is (as the high priests did in the days when reconciliation flowed from sacrifices in the temple) and back into the place where Jesus, who went ahead on our behalf, has entered since He has become a High Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
What is the anchor of your life? What do you cling to when life tosses you about? Is it the Truth of Jesus Christ or something else?
One of my favorite stories in scripture is Matthew 27:50-54. (VOICE)
And then Jesus cried out once more, loudly, and then He breathed His last breath. At that instant, the temple curtain was torn in half, from top to bottom. The earth shook; rocks split in two; tombs burst open, and bodies of many sleeping holy women and men were raised up. After Jesus’ resurrection, they came out of their tombs, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and showed themselves to people.
When the Centurion and soldiers who had been charged with guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw the rocks splitting and the tombs opening, they were, of course, terrified.
Soldiers: He really was God’s Son.
This is the moment when everything changed. At this moment we were finally able to each enter God’s presence. We could personally meet with the Most Holy God. We each have the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
You might be thinking that you have done things too horrible to possibly be able to meet Jesus. You might be wondering if He will give up on you tomorrow or next year. Be encouraged! God’s love is big, deep, and wide! He will not give up on you!
Lamentations 3:21-23 (VOICE)
Gaining hope,
I remember and wait for this thought:
How enduring is God’s loyal love;
the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion.
Here they are, every morning, new!
Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day.
So where are you? Are you waiting for God to walk out on you, functioning out of fear? Are you stuck in desperation, thinking God could never love you? Are you clinging to Jesus, remembering the truth of who He is?
You have perfect, simple access to Jesus. All you have to do is call out to Him, admit your failures, declare who He is, and trust that He is enough. It’s simple but not easy.
Even though it’s hard and feels unnatural, will you cling to Jesus in the storms of life? Will you let Him be your anchor? Will you base your life on the Truth of Jesus?
