YOU DECIDE… COME? NO BETTER PLACE THAN AT HIS FEET….
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aolcom (This is a two part lesson.)
There was a bulldog that was known for being a bully in his neighborhood. His owner kept him chained to a big oak tree. The bulldog’s chain was 15 feet long. The bulldog would run so hard and jerk his neck. So the cat would come and sit 16 feet away and taunt the bulldog. There was a 15 foot circle of dead grass around the dog house. The cat knew it was safe at 16 feet. So the cat would sit at 16 feet and mock and poke fun at the bulldog. Finally the limitations of 15 feet defined the dog and cat’s relationship. He knew he could never reach 16 feet so he quit trying. The cat knew it was safe at 16 feet. The bulldog’s life was defined by a 15 feet area. The cat learned the dog’s limitations.
WHAT DEFINES YOUR LIMITATIONS? Have you trusted people and they let you down? You have been crushed by disappointments? Do you allow the past to dictate the future? Why? Our spiritual enemy has tried his best to get us in a MIND SET and a BAD ATTITUDE TO KEEP US IN THE PIG PEN…
We have grown accustomed to analyzing problems to excuse our obligations. If I err, may I err to the side of mercy and grace.
*COME: DRAW NEARER, TO MOVE TOWARD, OVER WITH A PURPOSE, TO ADVANCE, TO GO FORWARD, RISE IN RANK.
RSVP? ARE WE ALLOWING THE PAIN AND SUFFERINGS OF OUR PAST TO DICTATE WHERE WE ARE? HOW LONG ARE WE STAYING HERE? THERE IS A GREAT SECRET THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO ATTAIN… BUT WE MUST UNDERSTAND WE DETERMINE THE DISTANCE WE WALK WITH THE DIVINE PLAN OF GOD… DRAW NIGH TO GOD… HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO US… …
Jesus has a standing invitation to KNOW HIM in his fullness.
HEY ZACCHAEUS, COME DOWN OUT OF THAT TREE --- JESUS IS COMING TO YOUR HOUSE TODAY!
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
I hear so many say, God never hears my prayers? God seems 1,000 miles away. The earth seems as iron and the heavens seems like brass. There might be a reason for this.
HAVE WE HEARD THE DIVINE HEART BEAT? ONE? ONE WAS RECORDED AS BEING SO CLOSE WITH JESUS…
(WE JUST FINISHED A LESSON “WITH… BEING TOGETHER…”)
Perhaps there is one way to connect with others that are “AROUND THE TABLE.” We love our time gathering around the table and eating together. In Biblical times people gathered and probably reclined around the table. They most likely leaned on their left arm, which left their their right arm and hand free to use to eat.
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
We know JOHN as the BELOVED… When John spoke of himself he never called his own name. He referred to himself as one that had a special close relationship with Jesus. We have record of a PERSONAL ENCOUNTER that JOHN THE BELOVED HAD WITH JESUS. JOHN WAS SO CLOSE TO JESUS THAT JOHN WAS LEANING ON THE BREAST OF THE SON OF GOD…
Maybe others took advantage of the closeness to hear the heartbeat of God, but if there are others there are no written records of the event. CAN YOU IMAGINE LAYING YOUR HEAD AND HEARING THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD? I ponder why no others came to hear God’s heartbeat? Were they intimidated? Did they feel unworthy?
I PONDER HOW CLOSE TO GOD AND JESUS WILL WE COME… TO HEAR THE DIVINE HEART BEAT MEANS WE HAVE TO BE CLOSE… REALLY CLOSE… WHY DON’T WE COME CLOSER?
THE BEST PLACE TO BE… BEST? NEAR THE HEART OF GOD… HEAR THE INVITATION?
There are two individuals that were known to spend personal time close to Jesus. There is a story recorded in all four gospels… Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 7 and John 12 that reports and event in the town of Bethany. Many characters are at SIMON’ house. The story involves Mary, her the sister Martha and her brother Lazarus.
There are a lot of Mary’s in the Bible. This Mary we know as the Mary from Bethany or MARY MAGDALENE. This Mary appears to have a very stained, sinful life until one day she had a personal encounter with the son of God. The book of John clearly identifies Mary as the woman that spent time at Jesus’ feet.
John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Mary’s life was suddenly and instantly changed when she humbled herself at Jesus feet. MARY WAS FOREVER CHANGED AT SPENDING TIME AT THE FEET OF JESUS. The tears were flowing freely. Mary felt something she had never felt before. She looked in Jesus‘ eyes. Jesus’ feet were dusty, it was the responsibility of SIMON to give water to wash Jesus’ feet. For some reason SIMON failed to follow the Jewish tradition. SIMON WAS SUPPOSED TO KISS JESUS… HE DIDN’T… Mary comes along and gives Jesus a very expensive gift.
THE WORLD AND MANY IN THE CHURCH CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE WANTS TO BE CLOSE TO GOD? WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR BEST POSSESSION? Question? Even after all the critics griping about her GIVING: Do you think MARY REGRETTED GIVING HER BEST GIFT TO JESUS?
**SPIRITUAL MORAL UNREST IS UNDERMINING OUR FOUNDATIONS. WHY DO WE HAVE TROUBLE RESTING? JESUS INVITES US TO COME TO HIM AND HE PROMISES TO GIVE US SOME REWARDS.
There is a lack of trust growing in every arena of life.
Deuteronomy 28:67 In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
There is an all out attack against the family? Society? The church? Do we trust God to give rest? If you have trouble resting you need to take a long evaluation of your mind set and attitudes. Jesus made a written promise. Written promises will hold up even before Judge Judy.
** DO WE KNOW THERE IS MORE? CAN WE HEAR THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO STAY AT THE END OF OUR CHAIN OF LIMITATIONS?
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
In the midst of RACIAL TURMOIL, A SICK JUDICIAL SYSTEM, EDUCATIONAL DECAY, DOMESTIC CRUMBLING, POLITICAL UNREST, A SEXUAL REVOLUTION, TEEN PREGNANCY, SEXUAL CONFUSION. I AM ALARMED… BUT I AM MORE ALARMED AT THE IMMORALITY OF A SOCIETY THAT IS REDEFINING TRUTH AND NORMS.
We are seeing a debauchery of mental problems, worry, fear, nerve issues and problems that there seems no cure. Seems the world offers no hope or coping skills. There seems to be a lacking of moral integrity that is harming society.
** THERE IS AN INVITATION THAT CALLS, IF YOU ARE LACKING IN SOME AREA, GOD CAN HANDLE THAT.
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
** IF ANY PERSON SO DESIRES, THEY CAN COME CLOSER BY DENYING THE FLESH AND TAKE UP THE CROSS DAILY. SOME ASK IF THAT IS A HIGH PRICE TAG? NO, THINK OF THE COST IF YOU DON’T COME?
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
** AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, THERE IS A CLOSENESS THAT COMES WHEN WE SIT DOWN AT A TABLE AND EAT TOGETHER.
John 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
** WHY STAY HERE? THERE IS AN INVITATION TO COME LEARN OF THE REDEMPTIVE POWER TO BE FISHERS OF MEN…THAT GROW AND DEVELOP TO BE MORE… AND HELP OTHERS TO COME CLOSER.
Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
** WHY WOULD YOU BOW YOUR HEAD AND WALK AWAY? YOUNG MAN YOU HAVE A GREAT POTENTIAL. COME AND ALLOW JESUS TO BRING REAL JOY. COME CLOSER? HE REFUSES.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
** COME APART OR COME APART… BURN OUT IS REAL… JESUS INVITES US TO COME CLOSER.
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
THERE IS A SECRET PLACE IN WHICH WE CAN COME AND FIND REFUGE…
**THERE IS A PLACE NEAR THE HEART OF GOD --- IF WE CAN FIND THAT SWEET SPOT WE WILL WALK IN BLESSINGS…
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
CONCLUSION: It is your decision to look back? To stay right where you are? Or come closer? Your choice?
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
One day you will tie your shoes and the undertaker will untie them. One day will be your last chance to go to church. One day will be the last gift you will ever give. Someday you will say or not say I LOVE YOU for the last time. Will tomorrow find us closer to God? How will your daily choices add up in eternity?
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Be honest, are you growing and coming closer to Jesus? This year? This month? This day will be determined by your choices?
