See Jesus through the Eyes of Those Who Were with Him

author: Whitney Hopler
source: crosswalk


The following is a report on the practical applications of Richard
Exley's new book, Encounters with Christ: Experience the Miracles and
Transforming Power of an Unexpected Savior, (White Stone Books, 2006).

Although you can't travel back in time to see Jesus face to face, you
can discover more about Him through the eyes of those who did see Him
in person all those years ago. Your faith will come alive as you study
the lives of some people who encountered Jesus in person.

Here are some lessons you can learn from them:

* The Daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:40-55): Be willing to take whatever
risks are necessary to approach Jesus when you need healing. Don't be
shy about asking Him for help. Humble yourself and don't worry about
other people's ridicule. Cast all your anxiety on Jesus, because He
cares for you, and trust Him to reach out to you when you need His
touch.

* A Desperate Woman (Mark 5:25-34): Rest assured that, no matter how
desperate your circumstances are, you haven't been abandoned. Know
that God still sees and cares about you. Ask Him to give you fresh
hope. Remember His miracles. Get rid of hurt and bitterness in your
heart so it doesn't block your intimacy with Jesus. Ask Him to help
you forgive, and rely on His strength to do so. Then step out of your
comfort zone and pursue healing. Put your past disappointments behind
you and ask God to help you overcome your doubts.

* The Adulteress (John 8:2-11): Realize that, if God has forgiven you
for your sins, you shouldn't condemn yourself. Understand that there
is absolutely nothing you can do to make God love you any less; His
mercies never end. Also understand that there is absolutely nothing
you can do to make God love you any more; it's impossible to earn His
love. Accept the fact that God already loves you deeply and
completely, simply because that's the kind of God He is. Know that God
loves you just the way you are – but He loves you too much to leave
you that way, so He wants to forgive your sins and set you free to
become all you were meant to become. Don't try to hide your sins or
justify them. Instead, confess your sins openly and honestly, trusting
that God will forgive and help you.

* The Sinner (Luke 7:36-50): Go ahead and express the full depth of
your love for God. Show God how grateful you are for all He has done
in your life. Worship with sincerity and enthusiasm. Celebrate the
fact that, despite your sin, God's love will never let you go. Know
that God's grace is greater than your sin, and, no matter how hopeless
your current situation may seem, He is always able to restore you.
Admit that you're powerless to save yourself, and call on Jesus to
forgive your sins and heal your hurts. Leave your old life behind and
walk confidently into the new one He offers you.

* The Paralytic (John 5:1-15): Never give up hope that God will
intervene to help you at the right time, no matter how long you've
suffered. Understand that no one is so lost that he or she can't be
found, and that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus' compassion. If
you don't have much faith, don't despair. Instead, ask God to give you
more faith. Approach God with confidence – not based on your personal
goodness or merit, but on God's character. Don't focus on yourself or
your needs, but on His sufficiency. Remember that God is able to do
much more in your life than you ask or imagine.

* The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-29): Believe that God will not
reject you, even though He knows your darkest secrets. Don't try to
pretend to be someone you're not, lie about your life, or cover up
your sins and struggles. Instead, invite Jesus to confront you with
the truth about your past, and come clean with Him. Ask God to free
you from guilt, shame, and fear. Ask Him to flood your soul with His
forgiveness, peace, and love. Remember that, in Jesus, you're a new
creation. Leave the past in the past and embrace your future with
enthusiasm.

* The Syrophenician Woman (Matthew 15:21-28): Trust in Jesus' power
over evil. Understand that He intervenes on your behalf not because
you're good, but because of His own goodness. Instead of approaching
Jesus on the basis of your need, demonstrate your faith to Him. Know
that He will notice and reward sincere faith. Be persistent in asking
for His help, and be willing to take whatever risks are necessary to
pursue Him. Remember that God, your heavenly Father, has made you in
His image and will never forget you because you're a part of Him.
Don't be afraid to press forward in faith, asking Him for the help you
need.

* The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-38): Invite God to open your spiritual
eyes to see Him as He truly is – and know that the truth will set you
free. Understand that illness isn't necessarily the result of your own
sin; it's often just a natural consequence of living in our fallen
world. Also realize that living a faithful life likely won't spare you
from experiencing physical suffering. When illness or tragedy strikes
you, resist the temptation to speak when God hasn't spoken. Accept
that sometimes God chooses not to explain why something is happening
to you. Instead of asking God about the cause, ask Him about the
purpose – what He wants you to learn from the experience. Ask Him to
give you peace in contentment in the midst of your suffering.

* Nicodemus (John 3:1-18): Rather than placing your ultimate hopes in
religion, place them in a relationship – your connection with God
through Jesus. Know that it's impossible to earn your salvation.
Understand that you won't be condemned for anything you've done, but
only for not doing the most important thing in life – placing your
trust in Jesus. If you haven't yet received Jesus as your personal
Savior, do so now.

* The Two on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35): Don't just believe in
Jesus intellectually without knowing Him personally. Ask God to help
your faith travel from your head to your heart. Be alert for God's
constant presence in your life and notice ways in which He's working.
Realize that life's mundane moments are just as holy as more dramatic
ones. Make a habit of looking for clues all around you that point
toward God.

* Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-16): Have confidence that God will
go to extremes to get your attention because He loves you deeply. Know
that, no matter what mistakes you may have made in the past, God's
grace won't give up on you. Harness your passion for good instead of
evil by discovering God's purpose for your life and pursuing that
purpose with devotion.

* John the Apostle (Revelation 1:9-18): When you encounter difficult
circumstances, don't resent the unfairness and fight against your
situation. Instead, make peace with where you are right now, and ask
God to use even the worst circumstances to make you into the best
person you can be. Don't be afraid; remember that Jesus will never
leave or forsake you. Keep in mind that the fallen world you see is
temporary, but the invisible spiritual world is eternal. Rest assured
that no matter how grim world situations are right now, the kingdom of
God will ultimately triumph, with good overcoming evil. Pray for Jesus
to keep establishing His kingdom through you and other believers, and
for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.


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Adapted from Encounters with Christ: Experience the Miracles and
Transforming Power of an Unexpected Savior, copyright 2005 by Richard
Exley. Published by White Stone Books, Inc., Lakeland, Fl.,
www.whitestonebooks.com.
Richard Exley is a gifted communicator who travels the country
speaking in church, conference, and retreat settings. His rich and
diversified background has included pastoring churches in Colorado and
Oklahoma, as well as hosting several popular radio programs, including
Straight from the Heart. Exley's bestselling books include The Rhythm
of Life, Blue Collar Christianity, Witness the Passion, and Strength
for the Storm. When not traveling the country as a speaker, Richard
and his wife, Brenda Starr, spend their time in a cabin overlooking
picturesque Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas. Richard is an aspiring
bass fisherman and a noted amateur photographer.