Jesus Freak
Matthew 16:15-16
“But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Who is Jesus to you? Meditate on His word. What is He trying to tell you? If you open the Bible and just begin reading it, no good will come from the time spent. To meditate on the Word means you think about it, ponder, and saturate your mind with that Word over the course of the day. How does God’s Word apply to your situation or how does it show you how to respond to that issue? Throughout the day you continue to delight in the truths and promises. When you do this, your mind is filled with the thoughts of God and your heart and mind begin to transform. If you are new to faith and still unsure how to read the Bible or even a lifelong believer and are still struggling with devotions, here is a helpful tool. In our discipleship life group, we learned the method called S.O.A.P.
S – Scripture: Write out a verse or passage of scripture that speaks to your heart.
O – Observation: What stood out to you about this verse? Were there any commands or instructions? What is the author saying?
A – Application: How can you apply this verse to your life today? How can you live in light of this truth?
P – Pray: Respond to this passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this scripture to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
If a random thought passes through your mind, catch it, hold on to it and ask what is this thought and where did it come from? What is this thought telling me? If you are going to walk with God, you are going to be tested. You must accept some things you do not understand. God will confuse the mind to test the heart. To test your faithfulness. That means He will do things you no not understand just to see if you will love Him and trust Him anyway.
As I began my deeper walk with God and really began leaning into Him and spending time with Him daily there was a very strong tug at my heart over a certain area in my life I needed to change. My heart became convicted and I realized I could not fall deeper in love with God until I fully surrendered. I could not go to church on Sunday’s and then go about my life how I wanted throughout the week. He confused my mind to test my heart. I had to give up smoking weed. It was my roadblock. The one thing holding me back from full transformation. I can see that now. I used the excuses for too long. It wasn’t harming anyone, I did it at night after my kid went to sleep, its legal in most states, many people use it medicinally, I need it for my anxiety, its organic, it’s a plant so God made it right? I held on to that one last bit of control for so long. I finally surrendered and it has been life changing. In hindsight, I now realize the times I was high, are now the times I hear from God the most. Before I go to sleep my mind is no longer foggy. I am fully available. Those moments are my most vulnerable time of day where God speaks to me. I hear from Him the most in the calmness and stillness of the night. My heart was tested, and God blessed me with His presence. He fulfilled His promise.
“That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself.” Colossians 2:2
We are trying to get to heaven. Ask yourself: Am I leaning on my own understanding, or am I willing to follow God even if I don’t understand what He is doing? Can I receive what God is doing even if my mind is confused? God will confuse your mind to test your spirit. But His purpose for any revelation is to bring us closer to Him. God wants to bless you and He is fighting for a relationship with His children every day. God is jealous for our affection, time, and connection. What is keeping you from a relationship with Him?
I have grown up my whole life as a believer in Christ, but why until this year, have I experienced this spiritual awakening and truly grown into a fuller more meaningful relationship with Him? It's because I constantly seek Him. He changed my heart and therefore I see things through His perspective, not my own. In no way am I a perfect person. I struggle just like everyone else. My life a year ago had zero joy. The day to day routine of life, dragged me down and I felt no purpose. Now, God is with me all throughout my day. He is my hope and I go to Him for everything and in turn it has become automatic. He is teaching me more about who He is and therefore is transforming my heart and mind to align more with Him.
You may ask yourself who is this Jesus freak? She has changed. Well, I can tell you I never want to go back to the person I used to be. The more time I spend in His presence the more He shows me and speaks to me. He put the light in me, the spark, the shot to the heart. He is the hope that leads me out of the dark. I only want to live for Him and continue to help build His kingdom. God wants All his children with Him for eternity. How much more time do you think you have? Make yourself available. Life is not promised to you and can be gone in an instant. Christ is the only way to eternal life, He is our Savior, Our Father, Our Redeemer, the Son of the Living God. That is who I say He is!
