Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 108 Jesus Desires Three Responses
Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast
Episode #108 – Jesus Desires Three Responses
Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective.
When my youngest daughter came home to us at the age of nine, it took time for her to adjust to her new life, and most importantly, to us. Because we were strangers to her when we received her, then she moved to a foreign country where nothing looked the same, smelled the same, sounded the same, or tasted the same, and routines and expectations were different than anything she had experienced, it took courage for her to wake up and face us each new day. Bravery became trust and over time, she bonded with each of us, especially me, her primary caregiver. Our connection process was delicate, sacred, intense, and surprising. It took energy, time, and commitment; our bonding and attachment could not be forced or hurried. I needed to ensure that my girl felt safe, heard, and valued.
With Christ, the act of attaching ourselves to Him as Savior should be a quicker process. Jesus doesn’t want to prove Himself to us over time. Just as I needed to accept my daughter as she was, and love her there, Jesus never expects or asks us to change before we enter into His presence. He simply asks us to trust. To come to Him. To believe He is Who He says. To follow Him.
Mark 8:34-35 says, “Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.”
Jesus sought to teach his disciples, and longs for each of us to know, that a life in pursuit of trusting and following Him means denial and sacrifice of self. The world we live in now is in direct opposition of the heart or mindset of Christ.
Trusting Jesus means we experience a radical change in the patterns of our life. We purposely step into a new identity, a follower of Christ. The word Christian combines two Greek words, Christ, meaning anointed, and tian, meaning little. So the word, Christian literally means “little anointed ones.” The new label we receive automatically sets us apart, as we are to live. Being set apart for Christ allows us a heart and mindset shift to focus on seeking Jesus first.
John 12:25 says, “Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
Don’t blindly pursue the riches this world offers over the agape love and eternal blessings Christ allows. He who loves this temporary life, following our selfish and fleshly will and desires will miss what God longs for us to experience with Him for eternity.
John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”
As Jesus selected and walked with His disciples, He desired three responses from them. Just as He does from us.
1. Trust - In all circumstances. Psalm 22:4 says, “In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them.” Psalm 13:5 says, “But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.” Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
2. Listen - Carefully hear His words and truths. John 8:37-38 says, “I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” Because the Holy Spirit abides within true followers of Christ, His spirit and truths live within us. God’s holy words will change the heart, actions, and reactions of true followers of Jesus or inflict torment and internal conflict for those who do not know Him. John 8:47 says, “Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” As Christians, followers of Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit to abide within us! Through the power of Christ living in us, the power to become more like Jesus exists within us. We are able to hear and discern what Christ says and calls us to.
3. Obey - Act promptly. Luke 6:46-49 says, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!”
John 12:26 says, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
Humans tend to complicate life, but through releasing ourselves to Christ, submitting to His authority, we find sanctuary and relief from the burdens this world throws on us. We also abide in a covenant relationship with Christ that covers all sins, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and actions as we submit to His mindset and truths.
What do you trust, hear, and obey?
Who do you trust, hear, and obey?
The values and morals taught and followed in this world conflict with the holy truths God established and mentors. It is only through a maturing walk with Jesus that we find the response Jesus requires and deserves, and the peace, joy, and love He longs for you to carry within you despite circumstances. Just because we follow Christ, it does not mean we live a holy life that honors Him. We must purposely examine ourselves each day in light of scripture and prayer time with the Father, and allow Him to work within us as we submit in trusting, hearing, and obeying each call He gifts to us.
Dear Heavenly Father, as the deer pants for water, may my heart long for You. Thank you for the holy grace and love You bestow on Your people, the sheep of Your pasture. May we be led by the grace and sacrifice of Jesus instead of the shallow distractions this world offers. May we place our hope and trust in You and intentionally purpose to follow Your ways more brightly and joyfully each day. Help us to come to You boldly through the sacrifice of Jesus, dear God, but may our hearts seek You because we trust, listen, and obey from a pure heart of growing and deepening love for You. May we walk in the obedience You deserve. We pray these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. Would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each episode?
I’m very excited to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Right now the podcast is on Spotify and iHeart Radio, but will be available on other platforms soon.
These podcasts are important steps of obedience that I pray bless you. If we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture.
I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.