Pressing In to Touch Jesus |
Pastor Allan was ministering
as I took notes and present a digested message here for you.
There are times we expect
something to happen and when it doesn’t we are disappointed. We look forward to
God granting our request and await fulfillment.
The people crowded around
Jesus and a woman elbowed her way to where Jesus stood. It mattered not what the Doctors had told
her. She had suffered long and there
seemed no hope for her. She pushed and
shoved, while the people stared at her, but she didn’t care. Her mission was to
touch Jesus, even the hem of his garment.
As we gather here at our
church, we must zero in on touching Jesus.
We must press in to receive.
It is not in our nature to
forgive. It takes Jesus in our life for
us to begin to forgive and receive forgiveness.
The world says, “You will get what you deserve,” but in Christ there
is freedom and deliverance.
As believers we need to
continue to press forward and not remain in the same condition as we began this
race. As newborn babies we need to
mature and grow up.
Here on Wednesday evenings, Pastor Rodney has been teaching on the Holy
Spirit, the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit. A lot
of believers are happy with the fruit but fail to press in to receive the Holy
Spirit Gifts. We need to learn to walk
in the Holy Spirit daily and realize through Him, we have the ability to do
supernatural works for God.
The
Supernatural is happening. We experience
the “Goose Bumps,” but we must reach beyond the tingle and the shiver, to minister to others
outside these walls. To become effective
we learn to be obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we need to lay
aside “Our Theology” that which we have been taught and allow God to show us
His truth. We may have been taught
“Religion,” (a form without power,) but don’t stop there.
Some of us are just going
through the motions and are missing it. It is time to Press In.
Matthew 25:1-10 Jesus was
telling about the ten virgins, five were foolish and five were wise. The wise virgins had made provision to keep
their lamps full of oil and were ready when the coming of the bridegroom
occurred. The foolish virgins forgot to bring extra oil and as they waited,
their oil ran out. While they ran to the
oil shop, the Bridegroom came, and the door was shut. They cried, “Lord open
the door,” but it was too late.
Each day we are stepping
closer to eternity. Be ready at all
times. Keep filled with the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever ran out of gas
- - or oil? Many of us have, but we must
daily do a check up. We come to church
to get filled and that is great, but we press in to daily get into the Word and
Worship at home, because we do not know the hour when our bridegroom cometh.
The Jewish wedding has three
parts.
1. THE COVENANT: Jesus paid the price on the cross and our
bill has been paid in full. Our sins are
already taken care of, and we agree to the covenant.
2. THE CEREMONY:
This is where vows are made and witnessed by others. We say a final yes
and promise to forsake all others and cling only to Jesus.
3. THE BRIDEGROOM TAKES HIS
BRIDE: We wait for the final chapter for
Jesus to return.
Oil is symbolic of the Holy
Spirit. Are we staying full with the
anointing? John speaks in Revelation
about the Churches and their spiritual condition. God is not pleased with half hearted
Christians, but desires us to be on fire and filled with the Holy Spirit daily.
Whether Jesus returns in our
lifetime, we must be ready and filled with oil.
We must tap into the source.
It
would be good to prepare 30 minutes before coming to church to set a fire in
our soul. Be an example to others,
believers and non-believers. May we set
a fire in our soul that we can’t control.
Some are offended at the
least little thing. No longer do we have
the right to be so touchy. Are you able
to take correction from another person, or from the message preached, or do you
take offence at truth? God has set a
standard, and we must crucify the flesh.
When our vehicle needs
maintenance, we get our hands dirty trying to repair it. An overhaul might be necessary. Going to the manufacturer to get the overhaul
is like taking ourselves to the altar and allowing God to fix us.
God is patient, but at times things happen to
get our attention. Saul was knocked off
his horse and fell to the ground before he realized it was Jesus he needed.
Jacob wrestled with ‘God’
before he could become effective.
Understand how our kids try
to wear us down so we will change our mind.
We get tough and say, “This is the way it is - - period.” God is like that and He requires us to come
into line with His will. Be willing to
change.
We are the catalyst for what is
happening here in our city.
I don’t want to lose any of
you, but I must preach truth. Honestly
it is tough at times, because some get angry when God puts His finger on the
sore spots.
Don’t fight God, but fully
surrender to his will.
It is time to continually Press in
to receive.
3 comments:
Each day we are stepping closer to eternity. Be ready at all times. Keep filled with the Holy Spirit. --> a resounding yes! Lord, help me to remember this especially when faced with temptations and difficulty.
In spite of everything else, I truly want to touch Jesus... and filled gratefully! Thank you!
The part of about forgiving really stood out to me. We get so obsessed with seeking justice, we forget all the mercy we've received. The world preaches about survival of the fittest, and yet, they too applaud the Christians throughout history that have fought for the weak… just as God's word says; it's always the opposite of what the world thinks.
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