I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
A Generous Invitation
While exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and sharing his experience with Jesus, John was given a vision.
He was told to write down what he saw and send it to the seven churches. And though these messages were given to literal churches of that time, they’re still just as relevant to and representative of our modern hearts today.
Now, for some context, let’s focus on Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea …
Jesus describes the church in Laodicea as being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. They’re rich and comfortable, prosperous and self-sufficient, apathetic and indifferent. But despite these things, Jesus still offers a generous invitation:
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Revelation 3:20 NLT
Do you see it? Do you feel it?
This is an invitation for intimacy, relationship, and friendship with the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of everything.
But make no mistake, Jesus is a gentleman. He refuses to force Himself upon anyone. Instead, He pursues hearts and extends invitations…
…but we must open the door.
The church in Laodicea was full, but empty. They were disoriented by a false sense of security and control. They were successful according to the world’s standards, but distracted according to God’s standards.
And yet, Jesus still called out to them. Jesus still knocked for them. Just as He’s still calling out and knocking—for you. The same God who flung planets into space and carved mountains into existence wants to be near you and with you and to save you.
So if you hear Him calling out to your soul, or you feel Him knocking on the door of your heart, it’s your move.
He is waiting with open arms.
His Pain, Our Gain
Isaiah 53 is a stunning chapter in the Bible—in what is now commonly referred to as the “Old Testament.”
Approximately 700 years before Jesus walked the earth, Isaiah prophesied about a suffering servant who would also, somehow and in some way, be exalted. A coming Savior, a future Redeemer, the long-awaited Messiah—whose death would ultimately bring life.
A portion of Isaiah 53 says this:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
So, who was this man who would be pierced, crushed, and wounded because of someone else’s sins? Whose undeserved punishment would be the catalyst for healing? Whose life would be given as an offering—so that others might live?
Jesus Christ not only fits the description of the suffering servant who paid the ultimate price to buy His people back, redeem them, and set them free—He ...
“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge...
