An Encounter with Jesus

A snap a finger, yea, a blink of an eye…

After my experience in Jo’burg I realized that it’s easy for anyone to fall in this journey with the Lord. When overwhelmed by temptation or evaporated in our own lust anything can can go down. However, I’ve realized also that it’s impossible to continue sinning after an encounter with Jesus. Even if by any chance it happens that they fall, a person who has encountered Jesus rises and continues in their journey, detaching themselves from  anything that’s detrimental to their spiritual health. Many people claim to follow Jesus, yet their lifestyle are a living proof of following the devil. I speak with no judgement because I was once like that, preaching Christ with my mouth while my actions contradicted the entire thing. Woe unto me if I commit such hypocrisy in my life again. (He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21) A true Christian detests sin and commits his life to obeying the commandments of God. He will learn that its not only about the ten commandments in the old testament, but commandments everywhere throughout the Word.

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

Jesus, in the first few verses of Luke chapter 8 spoke a parable of the sower and the seed. As the sower planted his seed, some fell on the rocks, others on the way side, some on thorns, and others on good ground. The first thing that happens when an individual encounters Christ is a steadfast hope in the Word of God. In the evening of April the fifteenth 2012,  my life changed. This is simply because my heart was well maneuvered to receive the Word Pastor At preached on that day.Some people find church senseless, boring or a waste of their precious time because they have not prepared their hearts to receive that which the Lord has fro them.When you make your mind up to be attentive to the seed being sown, Jesus will not fail to meet your expectation. He can only nurture a heart that is willingly ready to be transformed and a person with such a heart runs the race with much patience, holding on to that sure promise of God, and eventually bringing forth fruit. 

As we read further through the chapter we come across a certain man who was possessed by demons. The demons tormented him so badly that he had to sometimes be bound with chains and fetters. This man encountered Jesus one day, who cast the devil(Legion) out of him into the flock of pigs nearby. 

“Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” Luke 8:35

After Jesus had cast out the devil, people came through to where he was to see what had just happened. According to the verse above, three things happen when you encounter Jesus. Lets discuss them briefly.

1. You sit at the feet of Jesus
   
   

Where else can you go? (O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8). After you encounter the sweetness of God you are like a piece of metal attracted to a magnet, the magnet being Jesus ofcourse. As time goes by, you beocome so inseperable with Christ that differentiating between you and the Holy Spirit gets less easier. You delight in God’s presence. Reading the Word is not a hassle but something you always look forward to. There’s so many things to do in this world but the best time spent in my life is when I’m communing with the Lord. My sleeping hours have become less because finally my dreams are now a reality. Indeed life with Jesus is a dream come true! When you make time to attend church services, you are running to Jesus’ feet. When you study and meditate on the Word, when you pray, you are drawing closer to those precious feet which bore the weight of the cross for you. It is at his feet where you shower him with compliments and praises, taking the time to love him and not rushing through prayer.

2. You are clothed
   
   

After accepting Jesus in your life you will look back and realize how naked you have been all your life. How you perhaps lured others into sexual sin, how you actively participated in sin yet considered yourself a Christian. Christianity is not a title but a lifestyle and for you to live that lifestyle you need to be clothed by Jesus himself. He covers your nakedness which potrays your guilt, sin, shame, and clothes you with a new garment of righteousness. It feels good to walk around wearing clothes of purity, holiness and strenght wherever I go.

3. You possess a right mind
   
   

In this world we get confusion, heartaches, madness and the whole lot. Circumstances and people derail our only hope. Women almost loose their minds because the man whom they love does not appreciate them. Women loose their minds because men come into their lives, use, and leave them. Therefore, these women go around giving themselves to men without second thoughts. They have completely lost their sanity that they cannot even see the truth about their situation. I know I used to do crazy things to get attention from men, this goes as far as stalking, threatening, day dreaming and just embarrasing myself. I needed a right mind, I needed an encountr with Jesus who brought healing, restoration, sanity, joy unspeakable, peace that surpasses all understaning, and gave me a right mind. (Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3)

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. Luke 8:16

Paul’s Story

 Most of us know how Paul , who was then Saul breathed out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. This demonstrates the loathing that he had for Jesus Christ and his truth. One way on his way to Damascus with a mandate to breath out cruelty to Christians there, there shone round about Paul a light from heaven. When Jesus shines his light in your life, he enlightens your darkness, he keeps you focused on things that matter, he gives you a vision-something to look forward to while living, he fills your life with meaning and purpose. (For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28). Paul experienced Jesus personally with no interpreter or medium, he was not persuaded or brainwashed, just encountered the power of God on a personal level. Despite his brutal past, grace enabled Paul to embrace God’s love and share it with the world. (And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Acts 9:20). See, a person who has encountered God becomes free spirited and cares less what people have to say or think. I know you know all that about me but I still consider myself a daughter of God. Obviously Paul’s sudden change caused murmurings and confusion from those who knew his past, yet he threw not the towel. (But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. Acts 9:22). It takes one who have encountered Jesus to push right through peoples judgement, stares, and discouragements. “Just a sip, it’s just a kiss, it’s just a movie…” It takes someone who has encountered Jesus to stand firm and resist temptation. All it takes is an encounter.

 I pray that today you experience a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit, and a powerful encounter with the living God.

(Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and PUBLISHED throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him!) Luke 8:39