Come to Jesus

July 1, 2006 - Have you ever struggled to find God’s will or longed to know His overall purpose for your life? Have you pleaded with Him to call you into something that will give meaning to the monotony of your days?

by Anne Graham Lotz

Ever since I was a young girl I have yearned to feel God’s hand on my life, to make an eternal difference in the lives of others, to be used for His glory. I have wanted my life to have eternal significance. God has given me the desire of my heart by opening doors of opportunity for me to serve Him inside and outside of my home.

As I reflect back over the years, His call stands out in sharper focus. And it’s not as complicated as I’ve tried to make it at times—because He has called me, very simply, to just come to Jesus.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:8-9
Rewrite these verses and insert your name where appropriate.

Come … To See the Face of God

• Read John 14:8-11. What did Philip ask Jesus? What was Jesus’ answer?


• How did the Apostle John affirm this amazing truth in John 1:18?


• Read Exodus 3:1-6, 13-14. How did God identify Himself to Moses? How did Jesus identify Himself in the same way in John 8:53-58?


• What is the thrilling promise given to every believer in Revelation 22:4?

Come … To See the Glory of God

• What was Moses’ request in Exodus 33:18? How did God answer his request in Exodus 33:19-34:8?


• Consider Exodus 33. How would you define God’s glory? How is this same definition also implied in John 1:14?


• Read Isaiah 6:1-4. Whom did Isaiah say he saw? Give a phrase-by-phrase description.


• In John 12:41, who did John say Isaiah saw?


• What is another aspect of God’s glory according to Mark 9:2-3?


• How is this aspect described in Hebrews 1:1-3?

Come … To Experience the Power of God

• Describe the circumstances in Mathew 14:22-24. How did the circumstances get worse in verses 25-26?


• What storm is buffeting your life? How has it been worsened by your own worry and fear?


• According to Matthew 14:27, what did Jesus give to His disciples in the midst of the storm?


• In the very next verse, how did Peter use this situation to experience the power of God in his life?


• What did Jesus say to Peter in Matthew 14:29?


• How can you use your stormy circumstances to step out in faith and experience the power of God?

Come … To Find the Purpose of God

• What were Peter and Andrew doing when Jesus called them and revealed His purpose for their lives in Matthew 4:18-20?


• What did they have to do before they could live out God’s purpose for their lives?


• Do you think you have to be in a church or in a Bible study—or even in prayer—in order to discover God’s purpose for your life?


• What are you doing today? Could God be calling you today, now, to just come and follow Jesus?


• What did Jesus say when Peter compared his call to John’s in John 21:18-22?


• In what ways are you dissatisfied with God’s call on your life because you are comparing it to someone else’s? What do you need to do?

Come … To Enjoy the Peace of God

• What are your burdens? What is making your spirit tired?


• According to Matthew 11:28-30, what is the antidote for this kind of weariness?


• Write out the personal encouragement you receive from Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 6:30-32, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7.


• What can you do today and how can you rearrange your schedule for tomorrow in order to get alone with Jesus?

Come … To Receive the Life of God

• What did Jesus promise the Samaritan woman in John 4:4-14?


• Read John 7:37-39. What do you think Jesus meant by living water, and what must you do to receive it?


• How is this similar to the bread of life in John 6:35, 50-51, 57-63?


• Who is the Spirit referred to in these passages, according to John 14:16-17, 25-26, 16:7-15?


• When do you drink of the Living Water? When do you eat of the Bread of Life?


• See Revelation 22:17. What thrilling invitation is the climaxing crescendo of the entire Bible?

Come … Just as You Are

• Describe the condition of each of the following people who came to Jesus: Mark 1:40-42, 2:3-12, 5:1-20, 5:25-29, 7:31-35, 8:22-25, 10:13-16. Apply each physical condition to a spiritual condition today.


• What did each of these people have to do before they came to Jesus?


• What do you have to do in order to come to Jesus?

Would you accept God’s invitation? Would you answer God’s call?

As blasphemous best-selling books are made into blasphemous box-office hits, would you come to Jesus?

As the world unravels and our culture collapses, would you come to Jesus?

As disease strikes your body and death claims your loved one and divorce divides your family and depression knocks on the door of your mind, would you come to Jesus?

Come to Jesus … Come to Jesus now … Come to Jesus … and bring someone else with you.

 

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