Imagine If You Will – Changing

Imagine if you will, that we could go back in time and be with Jesus as He ministered to all, during His ministry on this earth. That would really be something else, wouldn’t it? The problem being, we can’t really do that. We can read about Him, we can listen to His words, we can imagine, but it just isn’t the same as seeing Jesus face to face. And when you come to love Jesus, there is a desire to be close to Him, so we use the means that He has given us to be in His presence. And the means He has given us is His Holy Word and His Holy Spirit, who dwells within us and continues to draw us to Jesus because when all is said and done, it really is all about Jesus.

I went through something yesterday that brought me face to face with me, and although Jesus prevailed, what transpired made me aware of some of the motives that whirl around in this self centered mind of mine and the difference between His way and my ways. And the only reason Jesus prevailed is because I just put me aside and followed His ways. In short, I did what I knew He wanted me to do. And I am grateful to Him for that. And no, I still don’t know how it all factors together in the big scheme of things but I leave that with Him. And I can’t help but feel that what I see in others, even those that I love, that goes against the grain in this mind of mine, is what I also do, too often, to Jesus.

75 years old and I am still learning about me. Sounds crazy doesn’t it? And I am not really that keen about what I see and yet for some unfathomable reason, Jesus cares enough about me to show me His way and to offer me His guidance to trusting in Him. And once again, when all is said and done, trusting in Jesus is what it is all about.

My mind has been conditioned through many years and circumstances, to function in a manner which is contrary to God’s ways. And yes, sometimes I lean into my ways versus His ways. At least now, most times, I am aware of it, previously it just kind of happened and the consequences that came out of that leaning was not good. God’s Word tells us to renew our minds and that God will take our hearts of stone and turn them into flesh. It’s amazing when you really stop to think about it. What could have transpired yesterday and what did happen yesterday are not one and the same. And the only One who is responsible for that victory over me is Jesus.

I woke up this morning with Jesus asking Peter if he loved Him, in my mind. We know that Peter loved Jesus. And of course, we know that Jesus loved Peter. I see a lot of Peter in me. And no, I’m not focusing on Peter’s good qualities. What a beautiful relationship that was. Peter allowed fear to overcome his love for Jesus. Peter allowed the externals to overcome His faith in Jesus and Peter allowed His mind to speak words that were contrary to the goals of God our Father, for Jesus. I’ve done all of those things, many times. And yet, in spite of Peter’s shortcoming, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and we know Peter’s answer. For some insight into those three times that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, check out this link.  Jesus loves with the “agape” love and we love with the “phileo” love. That’s the difference between God’s ways and our ways. That’s the difference between God’s thoughts and my thoughts. And yes, slowly, slowly, Jesus is stretching my way of thinking to His way of thinking and that in itself is hard to conceive. And then look at what Jesus said to Peter. “Feed my sheep”. If that doesn’t give all of us hope I don’t know what does.

How is it possible that God can change our hearts? How is it possible that God can change our minds? But God, true to His Word, does, through His Son Jesus. Jesus who is: “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1:3-4 NASB).

Worthy is the Lamb! Worthy is the Lamb indeed!

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!