Devotionals

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It’s Not An Overnight Thing!

Matthew 16:13 -17

Vs.13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Peter knew Jesus Well! He walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him, and ministered with Him. Peter spent almost all his time with Jesus. As a result God, through His Holy Spirit, revealed to Peter exactly who Jesus is.

You see, good relationships are formed from getting to know each other well.

How well do you know God and His son, Jesus?

What kind of a relationship do you have with our God and our Savior?

Well first, let me tell you how well He knows you:

· God says, “You may not know me but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways.” Psalm 139:1-3

· Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29

· You were not a mistake for all your days are written in my book. Psalms 139:15-16

· I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

There is a purpose and a plan for each and every one of our lives. Not one of us was a mistake!
So what kind of a relationship does God have with us?

· It is my desire to lavish my love on you, simply because you are my child and I am your father. 1John 4:16

· Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

· For I am your provider, and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

· I am the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

· If you receive the gift of my Son, Jesus, you receive Me. 1 John 2:23

· And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

· The very name Jesus means "salvation." Matthew 1:21

If you know Jesus as your Savior, you may very well know all the above mentioned, but again I ask, “What kind of a relationship do you have with Jesus?” Is it reciprocal or is it a one-sided love affair with God doing all the loving and you giving back very little?

Listen to the results of this poll: According to a July study commissioned from the Barna Research Group:

· Study: Bible Readers Happier
82 percent of regular Bible readers described themselves as "at peace," versus 58 percent of those who said they never read the Bible.

· 78 percent of regular Bible readers said they felt "happy" all or most of the time, versus 67 percent of nonreaders.

· 68 percent of regular Bible readers said they were "full of joy," versus 44 percent who said they never read the Bible.

Studies have already proved that prayer is effective in promoting physical healing. This study establishes that the Bible promotes mental well being.

Where do you fit in here?

Peace…Happy…Joyful, are those who read the Bible often. In other words, taking time to know Him! It’s not an overnight thing. Not a one night stand.

Realize this:

· Jesus is more than our Savior!

· He is our advocate, our Lawyer.

· He works pro-bona.

· He has never lost a case.

What an awesome God He is!

Envision this; you meet the love of your life and you get married. You walk out of the church where you were married and you leave your bride in front of the church and go on about your business as usual.

Next Sunday you come back to the church where you were married and get up with your bride again. You romance here and shower her with gifts for about an hour then you leave her there and again, go about your daily affairs without even a thought about her.

What kind of a marriage is that?

Yet, that is exactly how many treat their relationship with Jesus! It’s a one day a week affair, or less!

We will never enjoy the benefits of our relationship with the living Savior unless we take time to know Him. Spend time with Him, and get to know all about Him.

Read your Bible to find out about the God we serve.

In it you will discover:

· Daniel gives us the exact day the Messiah will enter Jerusalem to be hailed as Israel’s King, Chapter 9:9.

· Zechariah, in chapter 9:9, tells us He will be riding on a donkey and that he will be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, in chapter 11:12;

· The betrayal will be by a friend, Ps 41:9, tells us.

· Isaiah 53:7, 50:6, tells us He will be silent before His accusers and then smitten and spat upon.

· Moses indicates that He will be crucified, Dt 21:22-23.

· Ps. 22:7-8 and 109:25, tells us that the crowds present at His crucifixion will scorn and mock Him, and shake their heads at Him.

· And that His friends will watch from afar, Ps 38:11.

· That soldiers will gamble for His clothes, Ps 22:16-18.

· That for His thirst they will offer Him gall to drink, Ps 69:21.

· And in Ps. 22:16, His hands and feet will be pierced.

· But none of His bones will be broken, Ps 34:20.

· The very words He will cry out to the Father are given in Ps 22:1 and 31:5.

· Zechariah 12:10, tell us His side will be pierced.

· Isaiah 53:9,12 tells us He will die among thieves

· And be buried in a rich man’s grave, vs 9.

· Moreover, Isaiah gives the reason that the Son of God went to the cross: He was “wounded for our transgressions”; “the Lord hath laid upon His the iniquity of us all”, and “thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin”. Is 53:5,6, and 10.
That says it all folks!

Let’s make a commitment to get to know Him better. There is a new day about to begin in your life. Let’s make a commitment to spend quality time with Him by reading and studying His word daily.

Take time to know Him, you’ll be glad you did!

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