Equipping for an Encounter
Mark 5:32-34 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
In order for connection to happen in our everyday lives, we need to live in proximity to our Savior.
Encountering Jesus requires a focus on His presence and Word.
In her desperation and faith, this woman knew that drawing close to the Lord was the only option. She knew that if she only touched the hem of His garment, she would never be the same.
In the same way, if we desire a deeper relationship filled with hope and purpose, we must follow closely beside our Savior.
In your daily routine, how can you pursue a closer proximity to Jesus Christ?
Take a moment to ask the Lord to reveal any areas that need His healing touch.
Luke 21:1-4 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. Truly I tell you, he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
When I come to terms with the depravity of my own sin, and the recklessness of God’s love it humbles me every time.
When I pause and meditate on this truth I find myself taking on a posture of humility and gratitude. This posture allows the Holy Spirit to move, uninhibited by ego and pride. Out of our emptiness, He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we ever hope to dream or imagine.
When we pursue Christ with all that we have, withholding nothing- he enriches our lives with His boundless love and priceless hope.
In your day to day routine, how are you responding to the Lords voice?
Are there areas that you are withholding, trying to control or even ignoring Him completely?
Ask the Lord to correct this heart posture so that He can enrich your life with His great love and purpose.
Luke 24:32 “Were our hearts not burning within us while he talked to us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?”
For the disciples, walking with Jesus for three years and witnessing the transformational power of the Gospel was life changing. And yet three days after our Savior was laid in the tomb, most of the disciples were heading back to what was comfortable to them. Discouraged and downcast, many went right back to what they knew- fishing.
In the same way, we often experience the life changing good news of the Gospel and just as quickly forget it in all the chaos of our daily lives. Becoming aware of our response patterns to challenges and difficulties is important when we realize how much it affects our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Romans 6:4 “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
It takes daily renewal in our lives to follow Christ.
It takes mindfulness in our habits. It takes an alertness to the small choices we make that significantly direct or change our proximity to Jesus.
We have to be daily renewed, daily reminded of the Good News and hope we have in Christ.
What coping mechanisms or habits do you turn to when trying to deal with suffering or stress?
Can you pinpoint triggers that cause fear or anger? How are the habits in your daily life influencing how you encounter Jesus?
Bring these patterns to the feet of Jesus and ask Him to renew your mind and heart.