“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought up close and personal by the blood of Jesus Christ!” Ephesians 2:13-14
Most of us are in to in! We like to get into ourselves – what we like, what we want, what will make us happy and the list could go on and on and on! But what we need to do is get into Jesus! Now before you go running off – thinking I really don’t need any more of this spiritual stuff, stop and think about it for just a minute!
We get so into ourselves and what will make us happy, but seem to always be chasing after something that we can never catch! Could it be that we have been chasing after the wrong thing? Could a relationship with Jesus, a real, meaningful and life changing relationship with Jesus – could this be the thing that we need to seriously consider!
When you stop for a minute and think about it – the reason that we are so into ourselves is because we are looking for fulfillment. Fulfillment comes when our life gets near to the place that it needs to be – wherever or whoever that is! Could it be that this place where our lives need to be, is in a real relationship with Jesus? I’m not talking about the “come to church and pretend that everything is perfect” kind of relationship! I’m talking about a relationship where I admit that I can’t, believe that He has and will for me if I will let Him! I’m talking about the kind of relationship where I realize that it’s not about being perfect, but forgiven!
In Christ Jesus -I am brought up close and personal! I used to live far away from the blessings of rightness! But now through my real relationship with Jesus I am brought up close and personal – how amazing is that? Stop trying to make things happen and take some time to enjoy what Jesus has already done for you. What might really surprise you is: the place you are trying to be – you could already be at through your relationship with Him!
Michael Joe Harvell 
Pastor,
Speaking of Jesus, I was doing the devotional on Wed. and the question about what a righteous life would look like in my life was a real challenge to me. The only way I could answer that question was to look at the life of Jesus. Then I thought: I would always be about the Father’s business as Jesus was, never doing my will but God’s will, always bringing glory to God my Father, serving others and never seeking to be served, always thinking of others and never myself, seeking always to point others to Jesus, living my life as Jesus did and striving always to please God. What a challenge! My heart burned with the desire to be like my Lord.
From this, I have begun going through the New Testament again and writing down the things that tell me how Jesus lived His life on earth. Thank you for the way you challenge and exhort us and for your faithfulness in preaching the word. You are in our prayers every day. We love you and your sweet family.
God bless you,
Carolyn Fridal