The boy was 5 years old. He and his twin brother and mother and father were visiting their grandfather. The two boys had a very personal and delightful relationship with him, and he loved them dearly.
The family was packing and loading a trailer to go home. The grandfather was in the front yard standing by the trailer. The boys’ father came out and said his son was in the house crying because he had to leave grandfather and go home. The son went back into the house and told the son to go talk to his grandfather. The boy got up went to his grandfather who asked why he was crying. He replied, I don’t want to leave you.I don’t want to go home. I want to stay here with you.
The boy knew about Jesus and his love for people. The grandfather then explained that Jesus lived in heaven and that he came to this earth to be with people that he loved very much. When the people learned that he was going back to heaven they started crying. Jesus explained to them that if he did not leave and go back to heaven, he could not come back to be with them. The disciples were so happy to hear that they would see him again.
The grandfather then told his grandson if you do not leave and go home you cannot come back to see me. Do you want me to come back and see me? The boy looked up, surprised and wide eyed and said, yes. Then you must go home, so you can come back. The boy thought about that and finally said, yes, if I stay here, I can’t come back. Yes. I’ll go home, but only if I can come back! He was assured that he could come back, and the boy jumped up and ran happily back into the house.
As his grandfather thought about this conversation, he remembered when the disciples learned that Jesus was going back to heaven and leaving them, they were greatly distressed. Jesus then assured them by saying yes, I am going away but if I don’t go away, I cannot come back.
Jesus said this to his disciples: ” Let not Your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (john 14:1-3)
The disciples realized that they were not losing Jesus and that he would come back, just as the grandson knew he would see his grandfather again.
Yes, Jesus came, returned to heaven and is coming back. and that is our hope. If you have put your faith in Jesus as your Savior, understand that one day he is coming back to claim you as his own.
If you have never done this, do it now and look for his return when He will claim you as one of his children. A simple prayer ,” Jesus, I invite you to come into my heart and change my life and please bring someone into my life they can teach me.”
Realize it or not every person seeks perfection in every area of life. We may never find perfection in all those things we want, but we get as close as we can. If I buy a new car, I want it to be perfect. If I can’t afford a new one, I want one nearly perfect. In marriage you will never find the perfect yoke fellow. But be encouraged God is able to bring into your life someone who seems in your eyes to be nearly perfect in every way!
There are two decisions that nearly every man or woman will face in life: with whom do I spend eternity and with whom do I spend time. More precisely how do you choose a Christian yoke fellow for eternity and time.
When you decide to put your trust in Jesus as your personal Saviorthe issue of eternity is settled. You have found the perfect yoke fellow. When you choose the one to marry the issue of time is settled. Our focus here is to provide guidelines for marriage and the true yoke fellow. What do you look for in a life mate.
Question one: is this person a Christian? If the answer is no, you should look further. The Bible is very clear “ Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness …..” (2nd Corinthians 6:14)If the answer to question one Is yes then go to question two.
Question two: would you be interested in studying the Bible with me? If the answer is yes, the two of you should read and study the Bible together. If the answer is no, perhaps you should look further for your true yoke fellow.
Reader, do you want a true yoke fellow? Then simply pray this prayer: ” God please bring into my life that individual that you have planned for me that together we may serve You;”
Every person has three dimensions: (1) as others see you, (2) as you see you and (3) as God sees you. An understanding of these three dimensions is essential to the growth and success of the follower of Jesus.
How do other people see you? They see you as attractive, well-groomed, pleasant, a devoted believer, and pleasant to be around. They see you as one who exhibits the fruit of Galatians 5:22,23 ” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …..” Your response is positive; you are pleased with how people see you.
How do you see you? You see a person who quite often does not love others, who has happiness with very little joy, who struggles to find peace of heart, who lacks patience with certain people and who lacks self-control in many areas. I could list more, but you understand where I’m going.
This contradiction is expressed by the apostle Paul in Romans 7:15,18. ” For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. For I have the desire to do what it right but not the ability to carry it out.”
Finally, how does God see you? He sees you as one he loves very much. He loved you so much that he came into this world as a man, to live as a man, and to die as a man. He went into the pawn shop of life and purchased your ticket with his own blood. You now belong to Him. This truth is presented throughout the entire Bible and is summarized In First Corinthians 1:30,31: ” And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Here are your instructions: (1) graciously accept how others see you (2) vigorously reject or correct the old you and (3) faithfully live as Jesus empowers you. And remember we are all in the same boat!
Reader if you are not in the boat described above right now pray this prayer: ” Jesus please come into my life that when you see me you see one forgiven of all sin”
