After The Crowd Was Put Outside...
As this new year starts,
As you restart and reboot,
There's one important perspective,
That will change your LIFE.
Jesus went into a man's house who's daughter had died.
There were many people there mourning and wailing,
Loud music and instruments playing,
There was a crowd of people making noise around this dead girl, and it was a racket!
When Jesus showed up, the FIRST thing He did was kick all the noisy people out.
And only AFTER He that, did Jesus raise the girl from death.
"AFTER the crowd was put outside... Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!"
Why?
Why didn't Jesus just raise the girl with all the people there?
Why did Jesus have to have it private and quiet first?
Why didn't Jesus perform the miracle in front of everyone?
There's something precious about quiet time with Jesus.
There's something special to Jesus about being alone with Him.
Jesus wants our attention,
Jesus wants our heart.
Is it possible this act of putting the crown OUTSIDE and having Jesus INSIDE is what He wants in our PERSONAL relationship with Him?
Do you have a lot of NOISE from the world that is distracting?
Do yout get pulled in many directions by your desire, the world's desires?
But what if Jesus wants to put OUTSIDE the noisy crowd in our heart,
And just be close with Him and ONLY Him?
"seek first the kingdom of God"
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
"earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
What is on our mind first when we wake up
Jesus or our cell phone?
What action do we take first?
Spending time with Jesus or checking email or social media?
Are you ready to put Jesus FIRST this year?
Here's where rubber meets the road...
Are you ready to spend TIME with Jesus FIRST,
Before you go about anything else in your day?
Are you ready to make Jesus a priority EVERY day?
I lovingly CHALLENGE you to do it for a week.
One week straight without missing a day.
Set an alarm and spend at least 15 minutes with Him in praise, reading scripture, asking Him questions and LISTENING (prayer).
See how it changes your day.
Jesus is waiting on you,
He is calling You,
To put the crowd OUTSIDE,
To put the the world OUTSIDE,
To put your desires OUTSIDE,
And to let Him IN.
We can ONLY do that with God's help.
Our human will power will fail,
Satan won't sit by and let that happen,
This is a spiritual battle.
We must pray diligently,
To ask for HELP to make God a priority.
Beware that Satan is doing ALL he can to distract you,
To keep you from God,
To dangle success, goals, ambitions, wealth, money in front of you,
Making it look like a "good" thing,
When it's really a distraction.
So let's ask God for help,
To not get tricked,
And to kick the noise crown OUT,
And to let Jesus IN.
"Dear Heavenly Father,
I need Your help in kicking the crowd OUT,
I need Your help to make you a PRIORITY,
I need Your help to spend time with You daily.
Show me how to serve You daily,
Be in my heart more each day,
Occupy my heart,
More and more each day,
Until the end of time.
Help me recognize the distractions,
Help me see the enemy's traps,
Help me not be too busy for You,
You who made the universe,
And holds the world in His hands,
Let me not be too proud to SEEK You,
To NEED You,
To WANT You.
In Jesus name, Amen."
Cheers to kicking OUT the crowd in your head and letting Jesus IN.
Have a blessed day! Wohooo!!!
