WHO ARE YOU ACTUALLY PRAYING TO?
Research has shown that in our individual mind's eye, we always picture the one to whom we are praying. Hopefully your prayers are being addressed to Jesus. Now the question arises: “Which Jesus”?
Shall we start with the most popular Jesus worldwide…?
The Untouchable Catholic Jesus.....
We know that this is a fake Jesus. The Jesus that God's Holy Word speaks of is very approachable. He was approached by lepers, he was approached by sinners. He was sought after by people in crisis. He had an entourage consisting of the most improbable disciples possible.
He allowed people to recline on him during dinner, and he dined with the outcast tax collectors and sinners.
Jesus even told one person, who was doubting his resurrection, to stick his finger in the holes in his hands and in His side. I would say that He is a one very approachable Jesus.
Our next
version of Jesus is held in high regard all over the world also. But, pretty much just for one day a
year...
There is a scene in the Will Ferrell movie "Talladega Nights" where he is praying to baby Jesus. Not the real Jesus, mind you, but baby Jesus, the super safe Jesus. The easily approachable Jesus, God, yet harmless....
Unfortunately, this is the only Jesus that a vast majority of the world is acquainted with. The Christmas Jesus.
Hmmm. A "harmless" God? I think not. C.S. Lewis, in his timeless classic story of Narnia, agreed:
“If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan ( a symbolic Jesus in the story, portrayed as a Lion), without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you".
Not harmless, definitely not safe, but…oh so good!!
But more than likely, we are still praying to the most popular Christian one:
The Jesus that we are taught about as we grow in our churchy relationship with Him. Yes, the earthbound Jesus. You know, the one that's about 5 foot 7 and walked around in a robe and sandals?
Even though He was filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit throughout His earthly ministry, that is not who He is right now. And He definitely ain't that baby in a manger anymore.
We are called by God to live our lives wisely, which means to be present and to be in the present. To accomplish this, we have to see Jesus, and the rest of the Godhead, as They are, in real time, right now. And in doing so, your prayers and life will be uplifted and supercharged!!
Psalms 145:18 "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth".
A big part of
this promise is a measure of our faith and understanding. The Lord, as you
believe He is, will draw near to you. But, once again, it begs the question: which version of Jesus are you drawing near to? Remote Jesus, Baby Jesus or earthbound Jesus...?
Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Perhaps this is your wake up call to see Jesus/God as He really is! It probably won't be easy giving up the version of Jesus that you have prayed to your whole Christian walk. But the exchange is going to be, oh, so sweet and empowering!
Philippians 3:13: “but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are…”
The Apostle
Paul had to give up pretty much all of his understanding of God to grasp onto
the Lord Jesus and who He really is. And God wants all of us to do
this. I believe the level of Paul's experience is what Father wants for all of us.
Now, who exactly is Jesus right now?
We find a necessary vision of Him in the Book of
Revelation. When John turns and looks at who He knows is Jesus, John reacted
like this:
"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last" (Rev. 1:17)
Now, please remember, this is the same John that walked with Jesus on the earth for 3 years, John who was his closest disciple and friend. John, who had laid his head upon Jesus breast at the Last Supper.
This same John now could not even stand when he saw Jesus as He really is. Yes, he knew that earthbound Jesus was God, but he had never experienced Him as this Jesus, the one who rules all Heaven.
Even being present at the Transfiguration did not elevate his vision and knowledge of Christ enough to match that day in the throne room.
This is the Jesus to whom we are supposed to be united with. This totally awesome, huge, fearsome God, who at the same moment is overwhelmingly radiating Mercy, Grace, and Agape Love. He is full of patience and the greatest Lord and Savior we could ever ask for.
I believe that seeing Him correctly, the way He actually is, is the only way that we can truly have the fear of the Lord. I know it does this for me. It makes living life before Him super serious,(reverent) but also miraculous, fulfilling and Joyful.
This is the Jesus who sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Not the Holy Spirit that is proportionate to the 5 foot 7 inch Jesus but the Holy Spirit that is just as big, awesome, and powerful as Jesus is in heaven right now!! That is the power available for and in you right now.
If, this is the Jesus you are praying to.....
So, are we calling upon Him as he truly is right now? The glorious, all-powerful Lord of the universe, and expecting an answer to our prayers in proportion from that same person? Direct your prayers, knowingly, to the real Jesus who is in heaven, right now, this moment and watch your prayers become so much more powerful!
Don't waste another breath on a prayer to “untouchable Jesus”, “baby Jesus” or the “church Jesus”.
Demand The real One, who died to hear from you!
If you do not personally know Jesus and want to know how to obtain Salvation and Eternity, message me and I will show you how to receive a love you never thought possible!
If you would like to receive notification when a new article is posted, drop your email address or mobile number to: notthots@yahoo.com
Comments
Post a Comment