This picture of Jesus for example. It's actually TWO pictures of Jesus. And did you notice all the crosses? And the two Marys holding each other? And the ghostly face looking on? Or is it TWO faces?
Sometimes things appear to be one way when, if we look at things from a different point of view, the can actuality be something different. The picture is called an illusion. The change in perspective is called a transformation.
Hardly anyone thought Jesus was anything special the night of His birth. Mary, Joseph, some wise men and some shepherds. Most people who encountered baby Jesus and His parents thought they were just another Jewish family. Then Jesus began performing miracles and people's opinions changed.
Some however refused to be swayed, even in the midst of all His miracles. They never believed Jesus was who He said He was, even with all the undeniable evidence.
What made YOU change your mind about Jesus? We are born with no opinion about Him. What happened to change our minds/
The disciples scattered when Jesus was crucified. They feared for their lives. All that changed when they encountered the risen Christ. They all went to their death defending Jesus and sharing the Gospel with everyone they met.
Churches can be filled with people who say they believe in Jesus but they actually know very little about Him. They don't follow His commands. They promote abortion and homosexuality as just choices to be made and not sin. They don't know Jesus.
Each of us needed a change in our point of view at some point. I was 53 years old before I changed. What did it for you?
During this crazy time we are living in, we really need Jesus in our lives. We need to examine out point of view to make sure it is correct. Do we really believe? Or do we simply worship a Jesus of our own creation? One who lines up with our own personal beliefs?
In the Book of Revelation Jesus wrote this letter to Sardis, The Dead Church.
“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you." - Revelation 3:1-3
Be watchful for what comes into your mind and heart as truth. Examine it to make sure it is true. Then hold fast to it - strengthen it as Jesus said. But first make sure what you belief is the truth because, otherwise, you will be living a lie.
And how do we know what the truth is? You will not find truth on the news or in our schools and universities. You may not even find it in your church. The truth of God is in His written word, in the original manuscripts. Truth is like buried treasure. We must dig before we can find it. Read! Study! Pray for the truth to be revealed to your heart! You WILL find it.
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