They Don't Know Me
*I had the song "Reckless Love" playing on loop as I wrote this. As in previous posts, I would highly, highly recommend listening as you read. It will illuminate your reading.*
I looked in my storage bin...
Because I was a dollar short. I needed a dollar and knew that I had spare change in there. So, I grabbed the storage bin off of the shelf. But, there was no change. In fact, it wasn't the right storage bin. I have matching storage bins in my room. So, it was an easy mix-up. I was going to put the bin back on my shelf when I found it.
My favorite book...
When I was in college, I borrowed a book from my friend Adrienne. I fell in love with the book. A few years after, my then boyfriend, purchased it for me for Christmas. It's called, "The Knight and the Dove." It's such a fun read and I get so lost in the story. I read it every year. Even though I know how it ends, I still agonize over whether or not the main characters will actually end up together. I mean, they go through TONS of crazy, hectic, dangerous, obstacles. *SPOILER ALERT* They make it. Jesus wins!
I was super happy to find that book. I had been looking for it recently and couldn't find it. But, that's not all!
The Daughter of a Lion...
I attended a women's conference in 2015 called "The Daughter of the Lion" with my best friend's mom. I was so nervous about going to the retreat. Meeting new people scares me. And on top of that, this was a WOMEN'S CONFERENCE! Dangerous ground. However, it was an amazing time! Jesus spoke to me in visions and dreams, Through my roommate, through my best friend's mom, through the breakfasts that we had (Apple Jacks were involved). It was a great time!
And another one...
Not only did I find that journal from the conference, I found 2 more. These journals were written years apart. 2 years apart. In these journals, I write about my hopes, dreams, fears, anxieties, visions, and promises of God. I write about one promise in particular. It has been something that I've been struggling with for a LOOOOONG TIME. It's a good promise. It's a GREAT promise. It's a promise that scares the hell out of me. But, I want it badly. It's a promise that requires a miracle. But not only had I written the promises of God, I wrote about what God spoke to me concerning my family and friends. But one friend's salvation in particular.
Let's back up.
They don't know me...
A few weeks ago, I was praying for a friend. I was praying for them knowing that they professed to be a Christian. I was praying for God to move in their life and for them to have a more loving relationship with Jesus. I was praying for them as if they were under the authority of Jesus Christ. As I was praying, Jesus said, "Wait. Pause. They don't know me."
I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. I started to argue with Jesus. I said, "No. They know you. They pray. They were saved. They've accepted you!" But Jesus said, "They don't know me and I don't know them." I wanted to defend my friend but I couldn't. I knew, deep down I knew that it was true. I knew that they professed to be a Christian but didn't believe that Jesus was the only way.
*Side note: I am not getting preachy here. This is what the Bible says John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, "I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through me."*
The more I thought about it...
The more I realized it was true. My friend professed to be a Christian. But never really spoke about Jesus as the only way. They believe in God. But not fully in Jesus. I was literally shaken for days. I didn't know how to pray. So, I asked Jesus how I should pray (brilliant idea, I know). And he said, "Pray for their salvation. Pray for them to know me and for me to know them."
In the journal...
Jesus spoke to me about praying for this friend's salvation. This was in 2015. Almost 3 years ago.I had prayed at the time but never really kept at it. I never really stuck with it and saw it through. Also, I never finished any of those journals. I never kept at it. I never stuck with it and saw it through. What's my point here?
Lives hanging in the balance...
There are lives hanging in the balance. Friends, families, co-workers neighbors, etc are in need of someone to stand in the gap. They are in DESPERATE need to have someone to be the point of contact for them. God doesn't want a single person to leave this side of eternity without knowing him. And what's scary is that there are people that don't really know Jesus. They don't really know God.
God is relying on our prayers. Not to move his hand. God is always moving. But to keep praying because there is an enemy out there trying to end lives. Trying to thwart God's plan.
Friends, please pray for the salvation of your friends and family. It is so vital. So important.
Resources that I've found helpful:
1. Reckless Love (Bethel)
2. John 14
3. Daniel 10
I looked in my storage bin...
Because I was a dollar short. I needed a dollar and knew that I had spare change in there. So, I grabbed the storage bin off of the shelf. But, there was no change. In fact, it wasn't the right storage bin. I have matching storage bins in my room. So, it was an easy mix-up. I was going to put the bin back on my shelf when I found it.
My favorite book...
When I was in college, I borrowed a book from my friend Adrienne. I fell in love with the book. A few years after, my then boyfriend, purchased it for me for Christmas. It's called, "The Knight and the Dove." It's such a fun read and I get so lost in the story. I read it every year. Even though I know how it ends, I still agonize over whether or not the main characters will actually end up together. I mean, they go through TONS of crazy, hectic, dangerous, obstacles. *SPOILER ALERT* They make it. Jesus wins!
I was super happy to find that book. I had been looking for it recently and couldn't find it. But, that's not all!
The Daughter of a Lion...
I attended a women's conference in 2015 called "The Daughter of the Lion" with my best friend's mom. I was so nervous about going to the retreat. Meeting new people scares me. And on top of that, this was a WOMEN'S CONFERENCE! Dangerous ground. However, it was an amazing time! Jesus spoke to me in visions and dreams, Through my roommate, through my best friend's mom, through the breakfasts that we had (Apple Jacks were involved). It was a great time!
And another one...
Not only did I find that journal from the conference, I found 2 more. These journals were written years apart. 2 years apart. In these journals, I write about my hopes, dreams, fears, anxieties, visions, and promises of God. I write about one promise in particular. It has been something that I've been struggling with for a LOOOOONG TIME. It's a good promise. It's a GREAT promise. It's a promise that scares the hell out of me. But, I want it badly. It's a promise that requires a miracle. But not only had I written the promises of God, I wrote about what God spoke to me concerning my family and friends. But one friend's salvation in particular.
Let's back up.
They don't know me...
A few weeks ago, I was praying for a friend. I was praying for them knowing that they professed to be a Christian. I was praying for God to move in their life and for them to have a more loving relationship with Jesus. I was praying for them as if they were under the authority of Jesus Christ. As I was praying, Jesus said, "Wait. Pause. They don't know me."
I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. I started to argue with Jesus. I said, "No. They know you. They pray. They were saved. They've accepted you!" But Jesus said, "They don't know me and I don't know them." I wanted to defend my friend but I couldn't. I knew, deep down I knew that it was true. I knew that they professed to be a Christian but didn't believe that Jesus was the only way.
*Side note: I am not getting preachy here. This is what the Bible says John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, "I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through me."*
The more I thought about it...
The more I realized it was true. My friend professed to be a Christian. But never really spoke about Jesus as the only way. They believe in God. But not fully in Jesus. I was literally shaken for days. I didn't know how to pray. So, I asked Jesus how I should pray (brilliant idea, I know). And he said, "Pray for their salvation. Pray for them to know me and for me to know them."
In the journal...
Jesus spoke to me about praying for this friend's salvation. This was in 2015. Almost 3 years ago.I had prayed at the time but never really kept at it. I never really stuck with it and saw it through. Also, I never finished any of those journals. I never kept at it. I never stuck with it and saw it through. What's my point here?
Lives hanging in the balance...
There are lives hanging in the balance. Friends, families, co-workers neighbors, etc are in need of someone to stand in the gap. They are in DESPERATE need to have someone to be the point of contact for them. God doesn't want a single person to leave this side of eternity without knowing him. And what's scary is that there are people that don't really know Jesus. They don't really know God.
God is relying on our prayers. Not to move his hand. God is always moving. But to keep praying because there is an enemy out there trying to end lives. Trying to thwart God's plan.
Friends, please pray for the salvation of your friends and family. It is so vital. So important.
Resources that I've found helpful:
1. Reckless Love (Bethel)
2. John 14
3. Daniel 10
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