"Have I Lost Jesus Somewhere?"
We all have those times when we wonder, "Have I lost Jesus somewhere?" Even Jesus' own parents, Mary and Joseph, lost Him for three whole days and couldn't find Him.
"But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him." (Luke 2:44-45, KJV)
What a shock, especially for Mary to have birthed the treasure of the world, now to wonder where He was!
"And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found Him in the temple..." (Luke 2:46, KJV)
At twelve years of age, Jesus was about His Father's business to save you and me. It's easy to lose Jesus in a crowded world. If it seems you have lost Him, be encouraged: He is about to make His grand entrance into your life; but you may have to take a journey.
When God says, "Come away, My beloved," a million "Likes" on Facebook won't satisfy; you crave to see His face. And it doesn't matter then if your favorite sports team wins or loses, for the things of this world grow strangely dim.
When people say, "That was one of the best messages I've ever heard," you feel nothing--and you are the speaker. When He bids you come, your fingers numb and your passion to write dies. You can do nothing without Him. We live by faith and not by sight or feelings; but sooner or later, if His presence doesn't return, you will check your pulse, wondering, "Did I lose Jesus somewhere?" But He keeps calling...and you keep seeking.
Your hunger grows. You "eat off" other people's plates during church now. Someone whispers after the service, "I didn't get a thing out of that pastor's message." You tell them, "It's because I got it all. I was so hungry I ate off your plate!"
Unfamiliar Scriptures come alive: "...To the hungry soul every bitter thing tastes sweet" (Proverbs 27:7, KJV emphasis added). You get so hungry for God, you eat giants; they become your nourishment. They come for only one reason--to strengthen you, for you are on a quest to find God again. On the way, the ravens feed you. People you thought God could never use are the ones keeping you alive now. With eyes straining, you start seeing God in everyone. He puts
something you need in the person you don't like. Surprisingly, now they are the ones telling you where your next meal is, and you love them for it.
Your stomach growls. Like the four lepers in Samaria in the time of famine, you're starving.
"And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate [of Samaria]: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die." (2 Kings 7:3-4, KJV emphasis added)
Rolling With The Gut Punches
You are convinced, too--you'd rather die moving than die sitting. Up until now you've never regretted taking a risk. Your only regrets were the risks you didn't take and what might have been.
You know well the leprosy of rejection. Your Christian life has been made up of mostly perseverance and rolling with the gut punches, but you keep going. Your gut keeps telling you, "If you can drag your weary bones past Hell's gate of rejection, you can roll the rest of the way into the arms of the One who can heal all your wounds, and you will feast on the Bread of Life."
The journey becomes lonely when you get close to finding Him. Even close friends leave you. You no longer follow the crowds; you push through them. To touch His clothes would be enough now, like the woman with an issue of blood for twelve years. You are sick of being sick and wonder what it's like to be well again. But where is He? You heard His schedule is to raise Jairus' dead daughter today. You wonder if you can stop Him on His way to make history with you.
One touch from Him and you can live through anything.
The Release Of God's Greatest Hunger On Earth
The Lord is releasing His greatest hunger on earth in this hour.
"And I will shake all nations, and the DESIRE of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:7, KJV emphasis added)
Desire is to crave, to hunger after and to have a strong longing for something. The shaking is making the stomachs of nations growl, and ours too. I hear He satisfies people with a 'unsatisfied satisfaction.' I don't know about you, but "would you pass me your plate, please?"
Is Your Stomach Growling?
* When people hear a true word from the Lord, why do they keep saying, "I hope so," and keep on praying, fasting and begging God about it instead of just plain RECEIVING it? We do everything but RECEIVE it. Believe it and RECEIVE it!
* "All your children shall be taught by the Lord. And great shall be the peace of your children." Isaiah 54:13 So, if you feel like you blew it raising your children, you can breathe again.
Ministry Update:
* Living Faith Chapel - Sunday, November 21st 10am
