John 3:17

Do you see Jesus? You can see Him if you look closely. We often quote John 3:16, but I happen to like this verse to because it is stating God's intentions, that Jesus came not to condemn us, but that we would have the hope of salvation through Him. 

This is an illustration I did. It is a variation on another design I remembered from the 1980s era. The flame-text design is meant to describe my renewed passion for Christ in my life, something I have desired for a long time that I now know God to be at work "lighting the fire again," in my heart. I know the verse is difficult to read as the font is small, but it is from John 3:17.



Sometimes when you walk, as a Christian, your faith can grow cold. God might even seem distant. But, God never moves away. It is like being at the beach, standing in the water, and not realizing you have allowed the tide to move you far away from your point of origin. God doesn't move away from us. We move away from God.

I think about the many people I have known, that have professed to be Christians, and love Jesus, only to see them moving farther away. The only way we can be close to God is through Jesus, and hearing His voice through the narratives and whispers in the Bible, by being still and recognizing that God is in control. We must draw near to God, and He will draw near to us, as it mentions in James.

If your faith is cold, or seem to have forgotten what it was like to have that fire inside your heart for Christ, you are not alone. Resolve to get right with God. Choose each day to serve Jesus. We must "take up our cross" daily and follow Jesus. If it seems too much to carry, ask God to give you the strength to keep moving forward. Life is tough. Jesus carried His own cross, and it must have been very heavy. Rest in Jesus. He is the source of your strength. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.


If Jesus didn't love us, He would not have died on the cross. But He did, and He does. Continue to remember each day that Jesus loves you, and that He laid His life down for you. Jesus told us that there is no greater love than to lay your life down for others. We don't know exactly what that might entail, but we do know that through obedience to God's Word and our love for Jesus, makes it possible to set aside our old lives.

I hope you are encouraged today. 


It is my prayer today: Jesus, please guard our hearts, our minds, our eyes, our lips, our ears, and keep us safe. You have done the work on the cross and have risen from the grave. You are coming back again, one day. Rekindle the hearts of believers whose faith's have grown cold. Help each of us to be filled with your love. Reawaken us to the truth and to love our neighbors. Help us to let go of the things that would hinder our lives, and to let go of the old "self." You are our God and might king. For those who have yet to receive you as their king, I pray for their hearts to be open to hearing and receiving the truth. In Your name, Amen