Why take the journey?

I find the fact that Jesus invites us very interesting and even fascinating!

Interesting because He already knows our name.

• He knows us better than ourselves. 
• He knows who we are and who we will be and what we can become.

Fascinating because of who He is.

• He is God. He is the beginning and the end.
• He is all in all

It's easy to take this for granted. It's easy to overlook that the creator of the universe. Knows you. In the midst of all the things going on all around us, He knows us and invites us!

...wow, He knows our name and our heart.

You being known speaks to how valuable you are to the kingdom

You being known is a validation that you are part of something bigger than yourself

This morning I want to share Psalm 139:1-6

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/111/psa.139.1-6.niv

So who do you relate to?

I am in Day 35 of One On One: Days with Jesus--Passion.

Let's review the accounts of Jesus' last days. Who do you relate to?

• Do you relate to the Centurion soldier. Who watched, wondered, and then upon placing his spear in His side, the earth shook.
• Do you relate to Mary Magdalene, the first to see Jesus. The one whose past was rough, yet her redemption was epic.
• Do you relate to Peter who denied Jesus yet when he heard that Jesus had risen from the grave, he ran to the tomb!

We can all place ourselves in the sandals of many of the central figures in this account. What if I told you, The spark that was experienced by those followers of Jesus back then impact us just as much today? Because of what they experienced, it started the church.

What they experienced they responded to.

We can experience a lot of moments, things, emotions, and events. It how respond to the event that makes the difference. This is true in a lot of things in our life.

To respond to Jesus is what we can't miss. Many people know about Jesus. They may have seen a billboard, a t-shirt and even heard a song. But the response it what matters.

A personal relationship is what we are called to respond to. But as I shared the other day, we are invited to share that hope because of who Jesus is in our life. Nothing more important. Nothing more significant.

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12-13 wrote these words

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Respond to your experience with Jesus 

It's so hard to say goodbye...

I am in Day 34 of One On One: Days with Jesus--Passion.

I know I am dating myself (but I'm ok with that). Boyz II Men was one my favorite bands growing up in the late 80's and into the 90's.

The vocal harmony, R&B, A cappella was my jam. One of favorites was "Motownphilly" but by far my favorite was (and is) "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday".

There is something so moving about saying good bye to someone you care about. I remember when you could walk all the way to the gate at the airport when you were dropping someone off.  The long goodbye, the feelings, the thought "When will I see you again?"

This is were find ourselves this account. Matthew 28 the Disciples were with Jesus. The Mount of Olives. A place they had been to time and time again. It says that Jesus shared the greatest commission and two great statements.

Those two statements are "all authority has been given to Me", the second "I am with you always". These two statements are incredible! Jesus says I have, I am, and I will.

• I have been given all authority
• I am who I said I am.
• I will be with you always

This must of been overwhelming and comforting. Wow Jesus

But in between these two pieces of bread is some meat to the why. Jesus also said go make disciples to all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spiirt. Teach them to obey ask the command I have given you

It's not goodbye, It's go. It's not goodbye, It know that He is with us. ...and He will be back. Until then live out this great commission!