In the Fire Light: "He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs." Psalm 107:35
We have been conditioned by books, media, stage productions, artists,
Scripture, teachers, preachers, prophets and pastors to try and understand
who Jesus is and what He is like. If we have one or two supernatural
encounters they are enough to last a life time. But, there is more.
I grew up thinking of Jesus as a good character. He stands at a door,
He was a good shepherd but He could also be an angry judge that
could zap us when we sinned.
Later when I accepted Him as my Savior I tried to understand Jesus
through my studies, teachers, prayer, worship and fellowship with others
who lived for Him. We have tried to know Him by piecing together who
we think He is and what our heart tells us. But He is doing something new!
The act of Communion pulls back the veil of our natural blindness to
reveal the presence of Jesus. He is there waiting for us. Jesus is The Miracle of CommunionFire. One of the wonderful things that happens when we
encounter the Lord is getting to know Him for real, first hand!
He's not hiding! Here's what happens:
I get to see Him and be with Him. I look forward to this more than anything.
Its how I start my day and what I talk about all day. Then the more time I spend
with Him, the more I want to be with Him and to be like Him.
He is literally turning the desert of knowing about Him into pools filled
with the refreshing water of knowing His presence and the parched ground of my
second hand thinking into fresh springs overflowing with a whole
new way understanding Him. Then more I am with Him the
more I want to think and act like Him!
Its amazing! He doesn't teach - He loves. He doesn't correct - He cares.
He is just that good! His goodness is so great I can't even
begin to understand it and that's okay because all He wants to do
is to share it with me.
Bottom line, the best way to know Jesus is to meet with Him. I am not
speaking figuratively but in His real presence. He promised to never leave
or forsake us and so He is always there. I don't have to look for Him because
He is looking for me.
I don't have to "do" anything. He meets with you where you are as your are
for who you are. When He does (and you find this out from others who
will tell you the same thing) He is the same. He is always kind.
He says nothing with judgement. He is gentle. He is never pushy or abrasive.
He is filled with a passionate love that embraces, heals, touches and indicates
His total mercy and grace.
There are times my wife says its almost overwhelming. His presence floods
our mind with goodness, brightness, joy and peace that goes beyond
understanding but not beyond our comprehension.
"Lord Jesus, I pray for those who are reading this witness of your
loving kindness. I pray that each one will look to you when they break
the bread and drink from the cup of your love. As they eat your Body
they will feast on being in your presence and look upon you, the bread
of life. I pray that when they drink your Blood that they will be filled
with your words of life and overflow with your love." Amen
and the parched ground into flowing springs." Psalm 107:35
We have been conditioned by books, media, stage productions, artists,
Scripture, teachers, preachers, prophets and pastors to try and understand
who Jesus is and what He is like. If we have one or two supernatural
encounters they are enough to last a life time. But, there is more.
I grew up thinking of Jesus as a good character. He stands at a door,
He was a good shepherd but He could also be an angry judge that
could zap us when we sinned.
Later when I accepted Him as my Savior I tried to understand Jesus
through my studies, teachers, prayer, worship and fellowship with others
who lived for Him. We have tried to know Him by piecing together who
we think He is and what our heart tells us. But He is doing something new!
The act of Communion pulls back the veil of our natural blindness to
reveal the presence of Jesus. He is there waiting for us. Jesus is The Miracle of CommunionFire. One of the wonderful things that happens when we
encounter the Lord is getting to know Him for real, first hand!
He's not hiding! Here's what happens:
- We see Him as He is - He is real and He is there
- We see His facial expressions
- We see what He is wearing
- We see how He relates to us
- He comes to us in a way that lets us know its Him
- He speaks in a way we know its Him
- His personality is "all-together: lovely, kind, gracious and tender"
I get to see Him and be with Him. I look forward to this more than anything.
Its how I start my day and what I talk about all day. Then the more time I spend
with Him, the more I want to be with Him and to be like Him.
He is literally turning the desert of knowing about Him into pools filled
with the refreshing water of knowing His presence and the parched ground of my
second hand thinking into fresh springs overflowing with a whole
new way understanding Him. Then more I am with Him the
more I want to think and act like Him!
Its amazing! He doesn't teach - He loves. He doesn't correct - He cares.
He is just that good! His goodness is so great I can't even
begin to understand it and that's okay because all He wants to do
is to share it with me.
Bottom line, the best way to know Jesus is to meet with Him. I am not
speaking figuratively but in His real presence. He promised to never leave
or forsake us and so He is always there. I don't have to look for Him because
He is looking for me.
I don't have to "do" anything. He meets with you where you are as your are
for who you are. When He does (and you find this out from others who
will tell you the same thing) He is the same. He is always kind.
He says nothing with judgement. He is gentle. He is never pushy or abrasive.
He is filled with a passionate love that embraces, heals, touches and indicates
His total mercy and grace.
There are times my wife says its almost overwhelming. His presence floods
our mind with goodness, brightness, joy and peace that goes beyond
understanding but not beyond our comprehension.
"Lord Jesus, I pray for those who are reading this witness of your
loving kindness. I pray that each one will look to you when they break
the bread and drink from the cup of your love. As they eat your Body
they will feast on being in your presence and look upon you, the bread
of life. I pray that when they drink your Blood that they will be filled
with your words of life and overflow with your love." Amen