Walking to the Promised Land
-
Wilderness Walking: Trust, Delight, Commit2 Digging Deeper
-
The Blessed Life Ever: Walk in the Ways of the Lord2 Digging Deeper
-
Flawless Footsteps: Walk as Christ Walked2 Digging Deeper
-
The View From Down Here: Walk Humbly2 Digging Deeper
-
Watch Where You Step: Walk Carefully2 Digging Deeper
-
Keep on Keeping on: Walk by Faith2 Digging Deeper
-
Stay out of the Shadows: Walk in the Light2 Digging Deeper
-
Follow Your Guide: Walk by the Spirit2 Digging Deeper
-
Walk Tall: Walk Uprightly2 Digging Deeper
-
Choose Wisely: Walk with Wise Men2 Digging Deeper
-
Love, That's All: Walk in Love2 Digging Deeper
-
When No One's Looking: Walk in Integrity2 Digging Deeper
-
Be Good Do Good: Walk in Good Works3 Digging Deeper
-
Leave Your Past Behind: Walk in Newness of Life2 Digging Deeper
-
Remember Who You Are: Walk Worthy2 Digging Deeper
-
Walk with the Father: Walk with God6 Digging Deeper
-
Group Progress
Group Progress
This is Jesus
The first prophetic message of hope for mankind is declared just three chapters into the book of Genesis; and the last one echoes from the final verses of Revelation. From beginning to end, the Bible tells the story of a Redeemer who came into the world to defeat Satan, to save people from sin and death, to offer hope for eternal life, and who is coming back one day to take His family Home. That Redeemer is Jesus. Let me tell you about Him…
God is three personalities in one: God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God, the Son.
He is divine and eternal.
He knew He would have to come to earth to live and die for mankind before the world was created.
After creation, over a period of 4000 years, His coming as the Messiah–Redeemer and Deliverer–was prophesied and anticipated.
When the time had come according to God’s plan, Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin, named Mary.
He was born in a stable, wrapped in blankets, and slept in a manager.
He learned the trade of carpentry from His earthly father, Joseph.
He had brothers and sisters.
He grew and developed in all the ways people do–physically, spiritually, mentally, and socially.
He understood His purpose to do the Will of God as a young boy.
At age 30, He began His ministry as a teacher and revealed Himself as the prophesied Messiah.
He chose 12 men–mostly fishermen, along with a tax collector, a thief, and a zealot–to be His closest friends, confidantes, and co-workers.
He drew large crowds–of men, women, and children–and they followed Him wherever He went.
He performed miracles–healed the sick, restored vision to the blind, cast out demons, demonstrated power over space, time, and matter, and raised the dead.
He felt compassion for people and met their needs–physically and spiritually.
He prayed to God often.
He loved people…all people…including the rejected, the hated, and the oppressed.
He listened and asked people questions.
He talked to people about the kingdom of Heaven.
His teachings emphasized love, kindness, forgiveness, obedience, trust, faith, humility, and service to others.
He was concerned with the hearts of people.
He felt every emotion and was tempted in every way.
He never sinned. Not once. Even though the devil must have worked hard to make Him fall–knowing that just one sin, just one, would be enough to destroy God’s plan to save man.
He lived His life in the shadow of the cross, knowing the pain and shame it would bring, but choosing to never quit…to see it through to His last breath–because of the joy and hope He wanted to give to people.
He was crucified on a cross and buried, but did not remain in the grave. He rose again. He defeated death and with that final act of divine, powerful love He secured our hope for eternal life in Heaven.
He is there now. Preparing a place for His people. Sitting on the right hand of God. Speaking words of mercy and grace in our defense to the Father, because He understands what it’s like to live on this earth.
I like to imagine Jesus sitting here next to me at the table where I write. I actually think about it often. I look at the chair where I picture Him sitting and I even talk to Him, not in prayer, but like He’s a friend sharing a cup of coffee with me. He listens to me talk about what I’m struggling with, He smiles and laughs with me when I talk to Him about my children, He reassures me and tells me its okay when I apologize for the many ways I fall short of who I should be. I cherish our “conversations” because I never leave feeling inadequate or harshly judged–I always leave feeling encouraged, uplifted, strengthened, and loved. He makes me want to be better, but at the same time always makes me feel like I’m just enough.
I hope you know Jesus. I haven’t even told you a fraction of His story–there’s so much more to say. But, let me end by saying this…Jesus is your life-saver and life-changer. He is your Redeemer. He is your Friend. He gave up everything for you and He would do it again. If you don’t know Him, just stop….be still….and listen….because He is standing at the door of your heart and knocking. He loves you and wants so much for you to let Him in.