Encouragement from Karen & Breakfast Registration
[Scroll to the bottom of this email for our Christmas breakfast registration–now open!]
Come and see: How beloved of God you are!
Come: to move near or toward something or someone
Our walk with the Lord is not a religion. It's a relationship. It's a “Who-to” not a “how-to.” It's not what you do but who you know. When two people are in love you can't keep them apart. If you need prodding or coaxing to read your Bible or to go to church, come and see how beloved you are!
Come: to move or journey to a vicinity or a place with a specified purpose
When I go to the doctor, I want to be helped. Similarly, when we come to Jesus, we should expect to be changed, corrected, empowered, unburdened – and loved.
See: sight is one of the greatest gifts in life. Wouldn’t it be tragic not to see a beautiful sunset, mountain range, or forest? Dead people don't see. Likewise, we need to be awake and spiritually alive in order to have spiritual eyesight and see Jesus clearly.
There are many examples in the Bible of people whose lives were dramatically changed after seeing – and coming to – Jesus. Here’s just a few:
Peter, the fisherman, was left astonished when he saw the miraculous load of fish he and his friends caught after a tireless – and unsuccessful – night of fishing. Despite their previously empty nets, they tried one more time simply because Jesus had told them to do so. When Peter saw the abundance of fish, he recognized Jesus was no ordinary man. He “fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’” (Luke 5:8).
After Job lost all of his children and was in excruciating grief, he began to complain and question God. But when he saw God, he repented. “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). We can't see ourselves clearly until we see God, and we can't see God until we see ourselves and all our wickedness and sin.
The woman with the issue of blood, who was an outcast and isolated, had spent all of her money trying to get well. Nothing – and no one – was able to help her. When she heard Jesus was in town, she came up behind Him and touched His cloak, thinking, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed” (Mark 5:28). Her bleeding stopped immediately. Knowing that power had gone out from Him, Jesus asked “Who touched my clothes?” The woman, knowing what happened to her, “came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’” (Mark 5:33-34).
Whether you’re discouraged like Peter, distraught like Job, or desperate like the woman with the issue of blood, set time aside to “come and see” Jesus. Your empty nets may not suddenly overflow nor may your “issues” (whatever they may be) suddenly change – but they could. One thing is certain: Like Job, as you see Jesus, you’ll see yourself and your life more clearly.
For more examples of lives that were changed, watch our recent dessert night, “Come and See,” by clicking here.
“Come and See” by Bob Bennett–
Come and see, come and see
Come and see a Man from Heaven
Come and see, hear Him speak
He has seen the face of God
Come and see, come and see
This Jesus of Nazareth
Come and see the One that we
Have heard of all our lives
A voice crying in the wilderness
A voice from the sky loud and clear
A still, small voice deep inside
And a voice still ringing in my ear
Saying, "Follow Me, Follow Me
And I will show you My Father
Follow Me and you will see
The heavens opened wide"
Come and see, come and see
Come and see this Man from Heaven
Oh, could it be, oh, could it be
We will see the face of God?
Oh, could it be, oh, could it be
We will see the face of God?
We Would See Jesus,
Karen Pulley
PS – We are excited to announce our Christmas Breakfast for women ages 13 and older, on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Piazza di Roma (1178 Highway 34, Aberdeen). Invite a friend or family member for a time of worship, fellowship, and a special Christmas message from guest speaker Liz Hargraves of Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley.
Space is limited and registration is required. To register, click here.
We wish to see Jesus –John 12:21