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To be with you
'God with us' Matt 1:23
We often think we're supposed to offer God our acts of service, which is true, but the gift God desires most is simply to be with us. Think about the disciple, Peter; he's such a great example; so totally human! Peter followed Jesus, learned from Him, praised Him and served Him; but he also doubted Him, misunderstood Him and denied Him. Luke records Jesus' last conversation with Peter. Jesus asked him a deeply relational question: 'Peter, do you love Me?' (John 21:15-18). Three times He asked Peter. Three times! Peter didn't quite know what to make of it; he was well embarrassed.
God created us so that He could be with us. Genesis describes to us how, before sin entered the world, God loved to come and walk with the man and woman He had made, just to be with them. Jesus Himself was also known by the name 'Immanuel', which is translated, 'God with us' (Isaiah 7:14, Matt 1:23).
The Bible ends with a picture of the new heavens and new earth with God once again being amongst His creation; close enough to '...wipe every tear from their eyes...' (Revelations 21:4 NIV). St Augustine summed it all up like this: 'Love God, and do what you will,' because when you truly love God you'll only want to do what God loves. Today can you hear God whispering, 'I'd like to spend some time with you'?
written by Bob Gass
'God with us' Matt 1:23
We often think we're supposed to offer God our acts of service, which is true, but the gift God desires most is simply to be with us. Think about the disciple, Peter; he's such a great example; so totally human! Peter followed Jesus, learned from Him, praised Him and served Him; but he also doubted Him, misunderstood Him and denied Him. Luke records Jesus' last conversation with Peter. Jesus asked him a deeply relational question: 'Peter, do you love Me?' (John 21:15-18). Three times He asked Peter. Three times! Peter didn't quite know what to make of it; he was well embarrassed.
God created us so that He could be with us. Genesis describes to us how, before sin entered the world, God loved to come and walk with the man and woman He had made, just to be with them. Jesus Himself was also known by the name 'Immanuel', which is translated, 'God with us' (Isaiah 7:14, Matt 1:23).
The Bible ends with a picture of the new heavens and new earth with God once again being amongst His creation; close enough to '...wipe every tear from their eyes...' (Revelations 21:4 NIV). St Augustine summed it all up like this: 'Love God, and do what you will,' because when you truly love God you'll only want to do what God loves. Today can you hear God whispering, 'I'd like to spend some time with you'?
written by Bob Gass
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