Hearing God’s Voice

For today’s blog I’m stepping away from the Book of John to talk about something that I think is very important to the Christian experience: Hearing from God.  As a Bible teacher, I get asked the question repeatedly: how do I know when God has spoken to me? 

There are certain things that are important to understand when considering the phenomenon of hearing from God. 

1. Jesus said if we’re His, we’ll hear from Him and follow Him (John 10:27.)  No question that if we’re believers, we will hear from God.  The Greek word akouo translated ‘hear’ in the KJV of the Bible literally means “endowed with the faculty of hearing; not deaf.” 

When you became a Christian you didn’t stop hearing or seeing, if you came with vision and hearing.  You didn’t enter into some zone where you only heard from God—that would make you weird. 

But your ability to hear became heightened—now you’re able to hear directly from God.  Yes, I mean literally and physically hear from God.  I have heard from God in both an audible voice (in my ear) and a voice within my spirit: you would say “in my head.”  The Holy Spirit nudges us and we pay attention, then we hear.

I don’t know the logistics of how God does this in us—He’s God and He’s big and can do as He wants!  But there are some things I’ve noticed He does as I have lived out my faith in Him.

2. The voice of God is always in line with the Word of God.  No one who claims God told them to act contrary to God’s Word hears from God.  A friend of mine went to buy a car and told the salesman she was a Christian.  The salesman said he was one, too, and then told her the Lord said she should buy the car.  She left that car lot quickly!  She knew that the wisdom that comes from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield; full of mercy and good fruit, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17.)  If you wonder whether you should do something, check to see if it’s in line with the Word first.  This guy was just trying to make a sale; although my friend did need a car, she needn’t spend the kind of money that particular car was going to cost.  He wasn't willing to yield, he wasn't thinking of her (full of mercy.)  God’s Word tells us to be good stewards of our resources.  If you're spending time in the Word of God, you will know Him and His Word and not be deceived by those who would try to take advantage of you.  

3.  God uses our world, and everything in it, to speak to us.  My Aunt Betsy was watching television when a commercial came on for Cheerios.  At the time they were showing the cereal bounce back up from when it was pushed down by the spoon.  It came on four or five times, when Aunt Betsy said, “Lord, what are you telling me here?”  She heard Him tell her she was just like the cereal; she always “bounced back.” 

At the time things were pretty hard for her, and this word was encouraging to her.  She knew that although she’d been through trials, she’d soon feel like her old self again.  God can use whatever He wants to—even television—to speak to us.

4.  God will encourage you through others, but He wants to speak directly to you as well.  He wants the time with you, the relationship with you.    If you'll take the time to be with Him, especially in His Word, He's going to speak to you more clearly.  

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20.)

Most Christians struggle with spending time with God.  I saw a study in the paper today that said most people (85 %!) who come to church only get contact with God at church.  They don’t open their Bible and read it.  They don’t attend services during the week.  They go to church and enjoy the worship and listen to the sermon, but they don’t do any personal worship on days other than Sunday. 

My heart breaks when I think that most of my brothers and sisters sitting in the seats next to mine aren’t getting fed apart from that contact.  God’s heart breaks, too!  He said to His church—if anyone would just open the door and let me in, we could fellowship with each other!  He wants the fellowship.

Do you take the time to know Him?  How's your relationship with the Lord today?  There is no condemnation on you if you’re reading this and haven’t been spending time with the Lord.  I want to encourage you to take the time right now.  Maybe a Facebook fast is in order (as some of my FB friends are doing.)  Maybe a television fast, or an internet fast.  Maybe you need some time to rediscover the love God has for you, and how to hear from Him.  Making time for God in your life will “bless your socks” as my friend Janette likes to say (with an English accent!)

Dear Father,

I lift up my church family to you right now, and ask that you would speak to everyone who reads this blog in a special way through it as they do.  Please give each of us a certainty that You want to speak to Your children.  Help us to be able to take the time to read and understand Your Word.  Lord, I ask for a renewed excitement for the things of God.  I pray that the fellowship they enjoy with You will be precious, and that they will become overwhelmed with joy as they do so.

Love, Your Daughter,

Donna

I’d love it if you’d write back and tell me how things are going with you and the Lord!  Tell me if you’ve heard from God in a special way, or if you were encouraged through His word in a way that made your day.  You’ll be an encouragement to others as you share!

Serving Him in Encouragement,

Donna

House of Merchandise

John 2: 13-22 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.  When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.  And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away!  Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

Jesus had performed His first miracle, in turning water into wine, quietly and unobtrusively bringing joy to a small-town wedding.  Recall that He did so without fanfare, not promoting Himself as some would like to do, but simply working naturally, in the supernatural.  But today was business.  Today He would be bold! 

Unlike the wedding in Cana, which was only mentioned by John, this incident is mentioned in each of the gospels, but John leaves out the rest of what Jesus had said:

"It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves,'" Luke 19.

Jesus is quoting the following verses:

These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. -- Isaiah 56:7

Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight? You know, I too am watching, says the LORD. -- Jeremiah 7:11

The area in which they were selling was likely the Court of the Gentiles, where those non-Jewish believers would go to worship God.  Jesus entered the temple and saw that where the foreign proselytes to the Jewish faith were supposed to be in an attitude of prayer, there were people selling animals in the attitude of greed.  They were selling these animals so that it would be both convenient for the people (cheapening worship) and a rip-off for them (cheapening worship.)   Could you pray effectively among the sounds of cooing, bleating and mooing?  Jesus would bring an end to those sounds that day.  Thomas Beswick (1822) writes:

"It was a continual struggle for those who believed they were the chosen people in a special relationship with God to realize that God intended to bless other nations through them, and it was often forgotten. But from time to time the prophets called them back to this purpose of God for them and looked forward to its fulfillment. The people of the time of Jesus might have forgotten but they could be reminded and they were forcibly reminded by the dramatic action that Jesus took."

The time in which we now live is called “The time of the Gentiles” by Bible teachers.  Perhaps, too, this cleansing assisted in bringing this “time” in for those of us who are not of Jewish descent, that we might have the chance to take part in His Kingdom.

He made a whip of cords.  I can see Him, methodically twining the individual strands of material (possibly rushes, such as used in bedding) together, nodding to Peter and Andrew as they describe what they know about the temple and play “tour guide.” 

This is called by theologians “Christ’s first cleansing of the Temple.”  Some of them say that it is a symbol of the movement by God from the sacrifices that then were necessary to cleanse man from sin—the blood of bulls and goats—to the one Sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, by which we no longer need other sacrifices. 

 This is one of the times we see Jesus upset.  He isn’t upset for Himself, He’s upset for the sake of the Father.  And His was a righteous anger!  The merchants were profiting from God’s people. 

I’ve noticed that there are some people who make the rounds of churches looking for a customer base.  They might be selling something, a service, or whatever, and they come every now and again.  I remember this one gal that came to church during a women’s event, and she was very nice, complimentary toward us, but then at the end of the event she was going around asking if we wanted to hire her to work.  She was asking if she could tell everyone about her business so she could make money off of the women there.  It gave me a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. God hates when people try to rip us off in the name of religion. 

Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

One of the characteristics of God is His zeal.  He is zealous for us to know Him.  The word zeal means ardent, devoted, or diligent.  Ardent means passionate, fervent.  Jesus feels passionate about you!  He is devoted to you, has fervent love for you, for His people.    

Notice that the religious people didn’t admonish Him for scourging the merchandisers.  No one said a word against this action.  Instead, they questioned:

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do you show us, since You do these things?” 

As the temple leaders came to question Him, I noticed the difference between them and the disciples— the one believed, while the other questioned.  Jesus would later say

“Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah." Then Jesus left them and went away (Matthew 16:4.)

But Jesus didn’t make any commitments to them, the Bible says.  He knew they were blind to the fact that He was the Messiah.  Chuck Smith says

“It is great to experience miracles from God and to have great feelings about God.  I have seen plenty of those miracles and felt those wonderful feelings.  But lasting faith doesn’t come from experiencing the spectacular.  That is a shallow faith.  Lasting faith comes from trusting Jesus when we don’t see what He is doing.  It is the “evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1.)

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 

Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 

But He was speaking of the temple of His body.  Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

Notice He stated: I will raise it up.  Jesus told the people about the sacrifice He was about to make in John 10:18-

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.

Later on when they were trying to find something to accuse Him of, they said He threatened to tear down the temple.  Mark’s Gospel records this:

“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’”

Jesus lived His life as a human being, in addition to being God in His human body.  He had emotions, which were subject to the fallen nature of man, but He was perfectly in control of His spirit and used His emotions correctly.  If we are His, we have His Spirit and can learn to control our emotions correctly.

Jesus shows concern for the poor and for the foreigner here in His treatment of the moneychangers.  He loves all people and desires relationships with us. We need to open our hearts and our hands and let people come, even if we don't think they "belong."

Looking back over all of this, I asked myself:

Am I, like Jesus, zealous for the people to know Him, or am I just in it for me?  It’s easy to get complacent and refuse to leave my comfort zone, but He wants me to care for His sheep, even if they’re unwashed sheep.

Am I walking in faith, or am I trying to know God merely in experience.  I need to have both—seek Him, enjoy the experience of knowing Him, but have faith that He is working even when I don’t see Him at work.

Dear Abba,

I love knowing You through Your word!  I love seeing You at work, seeing You fulfill the Word You’d spoken years before.  Lord, let me know You more and more! 

Would you take my skewed vision of You and make it what You want it to be?  Help me to see You as You are, and not color the truth of You with experiences or prejudices. 

Lord, help me to join in Your work, and do the things You would do if You were here right now.  Let me honor You in serving for Your Kingdom’s sake.

Love,

Donna

The Wedding Wine

John 2: 1-12 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 

And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with me?  My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servants “Whatever He says to do, do it.” 

Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.  Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” 

And they filled them up to the brim.  And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.”  And they took it.  When the master of the feast had tasted of the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew,) the master of the feast called the bridegroom.

And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior.  You have kept the good wine until now!”

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

I love this story for several reasons.  First, that this miracle, the first Jesus did, was at a wedding.  That God would set His seal of approval on marriage.  God ordained marriage, and made of man and woman one flesh, in other words, made us complete in each other and Himself.

Second, that Jesus obeyed His mother, even though He was God in the flesh.  He made the rules (honor your father and mother) and He kept them.  I think that speaks to those of us who think we can break the rules, just because we’re God’s people. 

I go to a church that has a little café in the front.  People buy coffee and chat there in the café, and then church starts at 10:00.  Right there on the sanctuary doors it says “no food or drink allowed in sanctuary.”  But people come in sipping their coffee, as if the rules don’t apply to them.  God keeps His word and follows it Himself!

Some scriptures about honoring your parents:

Proverbs 15:5 A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Proverbs 10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man grief to his mother.

Proverbs 15:20 says A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

Mary has an expectation of Jesus—she knew He would be the Messiah—but Jesus told her, “my hour has not yet come.”  In spite of this, she still directs the servants.  She had faith that Jesus would do something to solve the problem.

Although Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus, many in the region thought that Jesus was illegitimate.  Scripture says that when the angels came, when the wise men came to see Jesus, the shepherds, the prophet and prophetess, Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” Luke 2:19.  She may have hoped He would reveal Himself openly to be the Messiah, stilling the whispers. 

Cana is a little town a few miles from Nazareth.  Jesus didn't pick Jerusalem to do His first miracle, He did it in a little tiny village where no one would notice.

But Jesus did this miracle without fanfare, in the kitchen, as it were, away from the crowds.  He wasn’t a performing magician, wasn’t there taking the attention away from the bridal couple, but quietly taking care of the details in the background. 

Charles Haddon Spurgeon writes:

Now, concerning this miracle, it may well be remarked how simple and unostentatious it was. One might have expected that when the great Lord of all came here in human form he would commence his miraculous career by summoning the scribes and Pharisees at least, if not the kings and princes of the earth, to see the marks of his calling and the guarantees and warrants of his commission; gathering them all together to work some miracle before them, as Moses and Aaron did before Pharaoh, that they might be convinced of his Messiahship. He does nothing of the kind. He goes to a simple wedding among poor people, and there in the simplest and most natural way he displays his glory.

That’s God!  He doesn’t need an audience, doesn’t need to be announced—He’s got angels that can do that job if He wants it done—He does His work when we don’t see it.  Sometimes when we’re sleeping, God’s working. 

I think about the people involved in this story.

Mary—His mother.  Wondering when she’ll see her Son show Himself to be the King.  Like the rest of the Jews, perhaps she was unaware of the gap between Jesus the “suffering Messiah” and Jesus the Reigning King.

Jesus.  Knowing all things, Jesus was aware of His mother’s heart, her feelings, her misunderstandings and apprehensions.  He loved His mother, just as we all love our mothers.  Had He once tried to explain the process?  Or had He known she wouldn’t understand?

The disciples.  No mention of them at the feast, other than the fact that they were there.  John is the only one who mentions this miracle.  Is he the only disciple who witnessed it?  Or maybe he heard about this through Mary?

The servants.  They were just doing their jobs.  Filling waterpots, doing as bidden.  They had no idea what was going to happen.  Did any of them question Jesus?  “Uh, hey, buddy, wine doesn’t come from waterpots, ya know?”

The Master of the feast.  He was confused when he tasted the wine Jesus had made—not knowing what Jesus had done.  Did he think the groom had been holding out on him?

The Bridegroom.  We don’t know what he might have said in response.  He likely shrugged his shoulders and smiled, enjoying the time with his new bride. 

The wedding guests.  They drank the wine, not knowing where it came from either.  Maybe someone noticed it was really good wine, but wine wasn’t the focus, the bride and groom were.

In all this, there is no one saying “thank you” to Jesus.  He doesn’t seem to want thanks.  It looks like His gift to the bride and groom—that their feast would be blessed.

I thought about how we serve, as His servants.

Am I content to work in the background, unnoticed?  Or do I want to be recognized, perhaps becoming petulant or dissatisfied without it? 

Do I continue serving even if no one says “thank you”?  What’s my attitude if I never see it?

Some, misunderstanding the culture, think Jesus made more wine than necessary.  The Jews would feast for days at a wedding, up to a month or two at a time—it could be very expensive to host one.  The couple was likely poor, and was probably barely able to afford the wedding.  Being given this gift would really be a blessing!

But one more thought—do I take Jesus’ gifts to me for granted?  He often works in my life, gifts me with moments, friends, provision, even things I wouldn’t consider good, but they all work out for my good. 

Do I thank Him?  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says we should “give thanks evermore, for this is the will of God.”  Another way of saying that would be

“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

The word manifested carries the idea that something which has been hidden is now being revealed.  Earlier in John, he states: and we beheld His glory.  Jesus will continue to show Himself and reveal the glory of God in His earthly ministry.  The Bible says whatever is hidden will be revealed.  What you’re doing for Him will be revealed, and you will be rewarded by God.  Don’t give up!  God sees your work on His behalf.

How awesome it is that Jesus cared so much, loved this young couple so much, honored and loved His mother in this manner.

Dear Lord,

You always bless me with Who You are.  Here You’re doing this miracle completely without fanfare, not concerned about gathering attention.  Your character is so wonderful!  You’re humble and gracious, and yet, You’re God, and know all things.  In spite of being worthy of praise, you take all of it—praise, rejection, hatred, love, anger, curses, blessing, misjudgment—in stride.  I don’t really understand how You can do that.

Jesus, thank You for working the unseen in me.  Thank You for doing the things I don’t get yet.  For the good You do on my behalf that I may never see.  Help me to give thanks for all things.

And Lord, let me work without receiving praise for it.  Help me to give all glory to You!  It’s Yours anyway.  I want to give credit where You deserve it.

Love, Your Daughter,

Donna

Philip and Nathaniel

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Gallilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

It’s possible that Philip may have heard about Jesus through Andrew and Peter, since they were from the same town.  As for Jesus’ words, there’s nothing dramatic about this statement.  It’s simple, and was quickly obeyed. 

I wondered how many people have simply heard about Jesus and believed Him, yet long for a more dramatic “testimony.”  I love to hear about a young person who came to faith at an early age, who simply “opened the door” as did my friend Aaron, at the age of 4.  From that time, he followed Jesus, just like Philip did.

Philip found Nathaniel 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.”

Philip went to find his friend and tell him about Jesus.  This statement fights against the idea that you must have some theological knowledge to “evangelize.”  You only need to tell who Jesus is and what has done for you.  Aaron’s brother Josh at about the same age went with his parents to the Rose Parade.  It’s kind of a tradition—everyone camps out the night before.  Josh was somehow separated from his parents, and about the same time they started looking for him, he came back with a 6’4” biker in tow.  “Daddy, this is Bill.  He wants to ask Jesus into his heart.”  Although not a trained evangelist, Josh shared the words that melted that giant’s heart, and he came to Christ.

And Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

Nathaniel is prejudiced about Jesus because of where He came from.  In this he follows the religious Jews, who believed Jesus to be the illegitimate son of Joseph. 

We need to be careful of our prejudices.  We don’t even realize sometimes that we have them.  I think about my own life, and how I felt about African-Americans.  I had been raised by parents who lived in the generation of people who thought a certain way, and while there was no overt prejudice, per se, there were little jokes and snide comments that subtly swayed my opinions toward dislike of people who were different than I.  Later, when I was old enough to judge for myself, I realized the error and corrected it. 

It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t have a prejudice about Jesus.  Either they’ve been raised in a church who taught (perhaps subtly) that Jesus was almost effeminate, powerless, weak and helpless in the things that occurred in his life; or in one that taught God is angry, wrathful, and frowningly disapproves of all mankind, and is waiting with upraised fist to strike against us at the first sight of error.  Nathaniel thought Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah because of the kind of reputation the town had had.

I love the repeated invitation—“come and see.”  I think of the woman at the well.  “Come and see a man who told me everything I’d ever done.”  The invitation is to find out for yourself if Jesus is the Messiah.  Philip doesn’t try to argue against his prejudice, he only invites.  That’s what we need to do, too.  Simply invite people to come.  Sweetly, simply live out our faith and let the truth of Jesus shine through.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Jesus knew Nathaniel, in fact He had seen him before Philip called him.  David Guzik comments:

“‘Under the fig tree’ was a phrase Rabbis used to describe meditation on the Scriptures.”

Philip may have been sitting under an actual fig tree, but I think what Jesus is telling him is that He saw him in the secret place, where we go to spend time with God, who sees us. 

God sees you in the secret place.  He knows your heart.  Are you meeting Him there?  He longs for that time…do you long for time with Him?

"Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Nathaniel now claims to believe Jesus is the Messiah.  His testimony is added to Philip and John.  In telling this prophecy, Jesus referred to the story of Jacob, who dreamed about angels going up and down a ladder.  Jesus said angels would be ascending and descending on Him.  He is making the statement that He is the “ladder” or means for us to get to heaven.

It is also possible that this was the very scripture Nathaniel had been meditating upon.  That’s just like the Lord, to look at right where we are and use it to enrich our knowledge of Himself.

Again, Guzik’s commentary:

Jesus says that He is the ladder, the link, between heaven and earth. When Nathanael comes to understand that Jesus is the mediator between God and man, it will be an even greater sign (you will see greater things than these).

What is your testimony of Jesus?  Who is He in your life?  Whom have you told of Him? 

I want to have the testimony that I am certain about who He is, not unlike the “old-time” religionists, who stated “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.” 

Dear Abba,

Thank you for the testimony of those who have gone before me, who affirm that You are who You say You are.  Thank you for the gift of faith in my own life.  Help me to be a witness of You, like Philip and Nathaniel. 

Please let me see and understand more of You so that I can share You with others.  Give me more of Your Spirit, and help me to have the eyes to see You working in the lives of people around me.

Love,

Donna

The First Disciples

Taken from the title of this segment of scripture, John 1:29-34, in the Word for Today Study Bible.

Again, the next day, John stood with two of His disciples.  And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

This is a repetition of what John said in John 1:29.  David Guzik’s commentary:

John already said this of Jesus in John 1:29. Did he say this every time he saw Jesus? It was a vivid reminder of Jesus’ destiny at the cross.

I think John was excited about this knowledge.  “There He is!  He’s the Chosen One of Israel!  Praise God, He’s working something new!”  Because John repeated this phrase, I wonder if perhaps he was suggesting that Andrew (and probably John the Apostle) follow after Jesus.  And that’s what they did:

The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” 

I love that Jesus’ first words in this Gospel are so gentle and appealing.  He wasn’t displeased with them, they weren’t bothering Him, but He welcomed relationship with them.  He welcomes relationship with all of us!

They said to Him, (“Rabbi” which is to say, when translated, Teacher) “where are you staying?”

As pick up lines go, these aren’t very impressive.  But Jesus understood.  He invites them to join Him.

He said to them, “Come and see.”  They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour.)

It must have made an impression on John for him to remember the exact moment he met Jesus.  It was about 4:00 in the afternoon.  Do you remember the moment you met Jesus?  How about the peace that filled your heart for the very first time?  The sense of relief when the burdens of your soul were rolled away?  I remember the day I asked Jesus to be my Savior, and then six years later when I finally allowed Him to be Lord.  He’s done a great deal of work in my life since then, and He is willing to work in yours, too.

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “we have found the Messiah,” (which is translated the Christ.)  And he brought him to Jesus.

Andrew is known for bringing people to Jesus.  He brought the boy with the loaves and fishes in John 6:8.  Now he’s bringing his brother, Peter to Jesus.

Whom have you brought to Jesus?  When was the last time you led someone to the Lord?  Do you share your testimony often?  I challenge you to write it down.  Find someone around you who would benefit from hearing your story and share it with them.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon, the son of Jonah.  You will be called Cephas” (which is translated a Stone.)

Jesus knew Peter intimately before He ever saw him physically.  Jesus knows you intimately as well.  He formed you (Psalm 139) and thinks of you often.  He thinks good thoughts of you, according to Jeremiah 29:11—

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

He changed Peter’s name, as He would change Peter’s life.  Peter goes from being called “pebble” to the moniker “Rock.” 

What would Jesus call you?  He promises that “to those that overcome…I will give him a white stone with a new name written, which no one knows except him that receives it” (Revelation 2:17.) 

I am so looking forward to that day, and hearing Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your Lord.”  I want to be the very best at serving Him as I can.  This means stretching past my comfort zone and including people in my circle that might not be “okay,” at least not yet.  God is at work in others around me, and He is using me to help in His work.  Are you His servant?

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for including me in your circle of friends.  I wasn’t ‘okay’ either, but you invited me to come and hang out with You.  Lord, help me to remember that.  Help me to offer others the grace You give me. 

So many times I ignore the little voice that whispers encouragement to talk to others about You, Lord.  Forgive me.  Help me to be a faithful servant, so that one day I might be invited to ‘come and see’ where you are staying.

Your Servant,

Donna