LETTING JESUS OUT THROUGH OUR LIVES
Acts 10:34-43
The sun needs no recommendation on a winter’s day; nor the steady downpour of rain after a dry spell; nor Jesus where there’s good to be done, hearts to comfort, sins to forgive, feet to steady, tempted men to be helped. If we can just get folks to know the real Jesus, he’ll do all that needs doing. Let us do our best to get men into contact with Jesus. He’ll do the rest.
FRESH TOUCH WITH GOD
Mark 1:35-45
Jesus was never too busy to pray. That explains his close, helpful touch with men. That was a busy day in the Galilean fishing town. But he was up early the next morning for the fresh talk with the Father; that came first. Out of it grew the clear vision of the next towns with their needs, though it was easier to stay with the enthusiastic Capernaum crowds. Prayer clears the vision, warms the heart, and makes us practical.
LET YOUR HEART CONTROL YOUR HAND
Mark 1:21-34
Jesus couldn’t help working. He had a tender heart. He felt the need of the crowds. He couldn’t withstand the plea of their need. His heart responded. His hand reached out quickly to help. No criticism or scorn or opposition could hold back the thing so sorely needed. The work grew out of a heart in touch with his Father and with the needy crowds. This is the secret of true working, now as then.
John 1:35-47
Jesus winning five men one after another into personal friendship—how like him and his Father! For God loves the personal touch. When he created man he gave a bit of himself, his breath. When man lost touch he gave his only Son to get us back in touch. And Jesus gave his own very self, his life, in doing it. Let us keep in close, personal touch with Jesus, and help somebody get in touch, too.
Isaiah 42:1-8
God carries an ideal in his heart. Eden pictures that ideal most winsomely—God and man walking and working in a garden as closest friends. Sin broke the ideal. God gave his Son to heal the hurt of sin and woo us back to the garden-life. Both prophecy and gospel tell how practical and winsome his wooing was. God’ll never rest content till his ideal has become real. Let us make it real today.
