Want To Make 2015 The Best It Can Be?

In 2013, I purposefully stepped into the pages of the New Testament resolving to know Jesus even better.  As I read, I paid particular attention to His actual (red) words and His responses getting a better understanding of what motivated Him, frustrated Him, angered Him, and moved Him into action on behalf of those around Him.  As I read, I wrote what I learned and was always careful to ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding.  The farther I got into the journey, the more it seemed I was actually there witnessing the events and getting a feel for the emotional responses around Jesus.

At the end of that year, I realized I had some corrections to make about my ideas of Jesus.

1. His love didn’t appear to be the soft, fuzzy, puppy love that I fail miserably to emulate.  His love was about action!  (John 14:15)

2. The faith prompted Jesus’ miracles to bloom in people’ lives.  Faith is second only to love on His priority list!  (Matthew 9:29, Mark 11:23, Matthew 13:58)

3. He didn’t badger or press people about His good news.  He brought the message to the people, delivered the truth of it, and moved on.   (Luke 8:8)

4.  He got frustrated – even with His inner circle –  when they didn’t “get it” and their faith was stolen by fear, doubt, and unbelief (even after all they had seen and heard).  He rebuked them for their faith shortfall. (Mark 16:14)

5.  He spoke truth and didn’t worry about whether He was stepping on any toes.  (Matthew 23:13-15)

6.  He walked in perfect peace in every situation. (John 14:27)

7.  He answered most questions from the “bigger picture” mind-set causing listeners to shake their heads and wonder where He was coming from.  This occurred even with his closest friends.

8.  He wasn’t a “do good-er” that never upset people.   (Luke 8:37)

9. He had those who adored Him and embraced His message and those who actually hated Him and made it their goal to silence Him – by death. (Acts 9:23)

That is some of what I learned about Jesus.  Reading was a delightful experience and the company was awesome.  I am richer and more deeply appreciative of Jesus’ love for me and the depth of His sacrifice of leaving heaven and coming to earth.  I love Him even more.  It really was the key to my best year ever…a blessed year…fulfilling, exciting, peaceful.

Hopefully, you are now inspired to find out your own new things about Jesus.  He is the key to making 2015 your best year yet.  Find out for yourself; then encourage someone else, with the awesome things you learn, to take their own journey toward knowing Jesus better.