What Will You Say to Jesus?

by Jonathan Parnell

One day we will stand before Jesus.

If we could see through the clutter of our lives now, if we could envision that day when everything is said and done, it’s clear that the enduring mission in and under and beyond every detail of our lives should be about pleasing him. What does he think?

What will he say?

We don’t know the exact words Jesus will speak to us on that Day, though the Bible gives us some ideas (Matthew 25:23). Whatever it is, we can be sure it will be glorious and full of grace. We will hear his voice. It will be amazing.

But what if we turned the question around? Instead of just wondering what Jesus might say to us, what will we say to Jesus? Imagine with me for a moment that you are there with him and he asks you how you made it to heaven.

“How were you saved?” he asks.

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The Gospel is Everything

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by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Luke 6:41-42 ESV

41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye,
but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
42 How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’
when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to take out the speck
that is in your brother’s eye.
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The gospel is everything, for without it we have nothing.
Often we brush it aside because we think because we
know it and have believed it that we should move on.
After all, we aren’t in kindergarten any longer.
The gospel is what we learned when we were
merely infants.

We think:
The gospel is for my neighbor down the street who
doesn’t believe that God exists.
The gospel is for my son and daughter who
don’t seem to want to go to church anymore.
The gospel is for my friend who has lost the way.

We have a log in our eye.
We aren’t seeing straight at all.
Our view is blocked.
The gospel is for us!
Today, moment-by-moment,
step-by-step, it is the very thing we need
to see clearly.
It is the very tool we need to remove the log from our own eye!
We need to preach the gospel to ourselves!
Daily.
Hourly.
Each moment.

Then we would see!
We would see Jesus more and more for who He is
and see ourselves in His eyes.
Our view would be cleared.

And then.

Then we would see with Jesus’ eyes, with Jesus’ heart,
with Jesus’ mind, and with Jesus’ strength
to help our neighbor, our son, our daughter, or our friend
be able to remove what is blocking their sight.

MEDITATE or MEMORIZE

Write out the following verse from Luke 6 and recite it 3 times.

Take it with you throughout the day.

42 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to take out the speck
that is in your brother’s eye.

PRAYER

Lord God, please don’t ever let me loose sight
of the gospel!

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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Who Do You Follow?

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by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Luke 6:39-40 ESV

39 He also told them a parable: 
“Can a blind man lead a blind man?  
Will they not both fall into a pit?
40 A disciple is not above his teacher,  
but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
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Who do you listen to?
Who do you follow?

This is an important question.

Do you listen to CNN, NPR, or FOX news?
Do you read your local newspaper and/or the New York Times?
What about preachers?
Do you listen to one or more during the week?
What about your mother?
Your father?

Who do you really listen to?
Are you actually being trained by someone?
Training involves submission.
We are living in a predominantly autonomous
culture where we embrace what Merriam-Webster describes as
“autoself-directing freedom and especially moral independence…”

The danger in this environment is
the inability to have any true discipleship.
We are all are our own guides.
No one can be trained by anyone
due to lack of any true authority or any true submission.

TAKING GOD’S WORD TO HEART

Who you follow impacts what you believe.
And your system of beliefs will directly impact your actions.
As a Christian, you want to be sure that you are following
Jesus and not self.
Because if you follow self you will end up in a ditch.
You will realize it now or when it is too late.
But don’t listen to me.
Don’t take my word for it.
Take Jesus’ word for it.

MEDITATE or MEMORIZE

Write out the following passage from Luke 6 and recite it 3 times.
Take it with you throughout the day.

39 He also told them a parable: 
“Can a blind man lead a blind man?  
Will they not both fall into a pit?
40 A disciple is not above his teacher,  
but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, may I follow you
and not my own way of thinking.

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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