Mark 9:15 says, “As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.” The meaning of this verse in Greek is “to be struck with amazement”. What is your perspective about Jesus? Do you know He came to save your soul? Do you know He is there for you every step of the way? Do you find yourself overwhelmed with wonder at Jesus and drawn to Him as you study your Bible? Are you “running” to greet Him everyday in your relationship with Him? In Psalm 139:13 it says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb”.
No one was born without God overseeing it. God prepared a life for each of us to be lived. He has plans for each of us- incredible plans! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. If you are not personally amazed at Jesus, you won’t want to seek God with all your heart and find Him. Even as a disciple, if you aren’t drawn to Him you will drift away and begin looking to “other things” to fulfill you. We need deep convictions about Jesus so when times are tough we do not turn to idols or back to the sins of the past.
THE BATTLE IS ALWAYS HOT WITH JESUS!
Mark 9:20 says, “When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. The evil spirit saw Jesus coming toward the boy and threw him into a convulsion.” When you start living for Jesus and start making life changing decisions for Him, Satan is not pleased. Do not be surprised when challenges come your way as you try to live out your faith for Jesus. Notice that the evil spirit didn’t run from Jesus as he saw him approaching the boy. It got worse before it got better. It is amazing to watch what happens when someone is trying to change everything and become a true disciple. Old girlfriends call, emails come in from ungodly places and their boss suddenly cranks up the heat so they have to work “every weekend”. There is a spiritual battle going on for the souls of all mankind. Satan does not want anyone to make it into Heaven, so he turns up the heat.
Galatians 5:16-17 says, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:19-21 says, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I WARN YOU, AS I DID BEFORE, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE LIKE THIS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” There is a battle raging for our souls. Are you willing to fight for your soul and the souls of others? We must get amazed at Jesus and stay amazed at Him. Give your whole heart to stay close to God, pursue righteousness and repent daily of the sins in your life. Pray for a sense of urgency to be righteous and make it your ambition to obey the scriptures- do not just listen to them. We CAN inherit eternal life, but it takes a disciples’ heart and deep convictions about Jesus.
In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
There is nothing more important that being right with God! Let’s each walk faithfully with Him, get the help we need from the family of God and get personally amazed at Jesus!
Life is short, and then we get to go to Heaven!
Love, your brother in Christ,
Chris Chloupek
