How Is Your Relationship?

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

Alright, here it comes---I am once again going off the planned path of reading. While I was prepared to write about the 5th chapter of Ezra, I feel the need to share some other thoughts tonight.

With Dr. Billy Graham's 95th birthday last week and his message 'My Hope America' that aired last week, I have been thinking about the years of service he has put into spreading God's Word. I wondered what made him different, how was he able to reach so many people with basically the same message each night. His crusades were not full of any special affects, there were really no frills---just a simple stage, singing, and a message.

Sunday morning while reading a devotion and some scriptures it came to me...Jesus knew! Jesus was raised as a normal Jewish child, he grew up like everyone else and even became a carpenter just like his dad. I am sure he had a happy, peaceful life full of love from his family and friends, but he knew all that would change one day. He knew the day that he announced that he was the Messiah that his life would never be the same, it would never again be peaceful and everyone would not choose to love him. He not only knew this, but because he was God as man, he also knew every little detail that his future held. He knew he would be hated. He knew he would be betrayed by people he loved. He knew he would be beaten. He knew people would mock him. He knew he would be spit upon. He knew that he would be crucified, that he would die in one of the cruelest acts known to man. He knew all this but he did it anyway! He knew all this, but he loves us even more than all this pain and suffering. He knew all these things, but he also knew God and that makes all the difference! He also knew the miracles that would be performed through his hands. He knew the people that would come to know God because of him. He knew then and he knows now each soul that will come to him because of his sacrifice.

We should know too. We know that when we choose to become a Christian that our life will make a 180 degree turn. We may not know all the details like Jesus, but we know that there will be struggles, there will be heartache, there will be sadness, but we also know the same God Jesus knows! We know there will be joy, peace, assurance, blessings and miracles that will far outweigh all of our struggles! We know where we are headed, we know our reward, and we know that we will see Jesus face to face.

So, after all this---I got it! Dr. Graham's message is all about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior? Do you know Jesus Christ as your healer? Do you know Jesus Christ as your counselor? Do you know Jesus Christ as your friend? Do you really know him? Jesus was able to sacrifice everything because of his relationship with God. We will be able to sacrifice our life because of our relationship with Jesus Christ! Jesus does not want you to just know 'his story', he wants you to know him---he desires for you to know him more!


Please take time to check out Dr. Graham's message, 'My Hope America' at the following website:

http://billygraham.org/