EMBRACING JESUS by Laura

“Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37

Are you ever tempted to embrace ideas, feelings, traditions and opinions over truth?  This is nothing new.  The New Testament writers warned of these “counterfeits” in their letters to the newly established Christian church.  We would be wise to hear God’s voice through His Word and embrace His eternal truth that brings hope.  We are living in a time where we as believers need to be reminded…Hope has a name…JESUS! 

Truth has a name…JESUS!  

We need hope!  “Crazy” surrounds us as we seem to be going off the deep end in our culture.  It’s shocking, but it shouldn’t be.  Jesus warned us.  Life is full of trouble – Jesus said in John 16.  The world will hate us as it hated Him – Jesus told us in John 15.  James admonishes us to consider it all joy when we encounter trials.  It is God’s opportunity to make us more like Jesus.  A change in perspective will enable us to endure as obedient believers. God’s Word gives us His perspective if we will listen. Even in the crazy, God is at work in you as a believer. He is with you and, when you embrace Him and His Word, you will find hope.  Hope will energize endurance.  Because He is resurrected and is alive, we can be alive now and for eternity with Him!  This hope is found by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  JESUS is hope!  Will you make a daily choice to embrace Jesus in the crazy?  

We need truth!  Did you ever imagine that you would be facing the questions entertained in our day about what a woman is or what a man is?  Think about the absurdity of that!  There IS absolute truth and it is found in God’s Word.  Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”  Equip yourself by the power of the Holy Spirit to know what the Bible says about these lies that are being presented as “truth.”  Speak the truth in love and be ready to give an account of the hope that is within you with gentleness and reverence as Peter said.  Jesus, the Living Word said that He is the truth in John 14. JESUS is truth! Embrace Him as you daily surrender to Him as your King.

When you are tempted to embrace something other than Jesus, be sure it is a counterfeit!  Listen for His voice in His Word and embrace Him!