A Heart On Fire OLS — Introduction Week
Today marks the beginning of our online study of A Heart On Fire – Discover the Priceless Privilege of Knowing Christ. I have to just say how excited I am to join together with others in studying God’s Word with the specific goal of growing more intimate in our relationship with Christ. After all, it IS a relationship. And relationships grow closer through intentional quality time with that person. And nowhere is that more true than with our Lord.
The Lord Jesus has feelings, emotions, ideas, language, and even more than that, an infinite and everlasting love for you and for me. There is no one like Jesus. He knows everything about you and me and cares more for us than we can even imagine.
And so, as we embark on an in-depth book of quiet times designed to take us into the Word of God and learn more about Jesus, here’s the question I want to have us all think about.
If Jesus walked into the room where you are right now, what would you say to Him? How would you respond to such an incredible event? Would you fall at His feet and worship? Would you pour out your heart – all the things that have been burdening you these days? Would you ask Him questions about the things that confound and confuse you? What about your worries? Would you just wrap all of them up in a big box and hand them to Jesus and see what He does? Or wait to hear what He has to say?
At the beginning of our study, in the Introduction, there is a section entitled Letter to the Lord. In that letter, you are invited to write out all that is on your heart. I just wrote my letter. And in it, I poured out some of the things that have been burdening me for awhile. And then, I wrote out some very specific prayer requests. The Lord, of course, already knows all these things. However, I wanted to mark it and date it and then watch eagerly (see Psalm 5:3) to see what He will do in me over the course of our study.
Here’s what I want you to imagine. Picture the Lord Jesus walking up to you and speaking with you as He did Bartimaeus, who was blind (Mark 10:46-52). Bartimaeus cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And the whole crowd sternly told Bartimaeus to be quiet. Do you know how Bartimaeus responded? He kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Don’t you love that? Friend, you need the persistence of a Bartimaeus. Don’t let anyone keep you from Jesus. Cry out to Him. Jesus loved the cry of Bartimaeus.
The text tells us that Jesus stopped. Oh friend, can you imagine that your cry to Jesus stops Him in His tracks and gets His attention? Know that this is absolutely true. Now, listen to what Jesus said to Bartimaeus. And claim these words for yourself.
Those are Jesus’ words for a hungry, hurting, desiring, broken, courageous, brave heart. “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Imagine today that the Lord is asking you that same question. How would you respond?
Your assignment this week is the Introduction and Days 1-7 in A Heart On Fire. And on’t forget to listen to the Free Introduction Week Message for A Heart On Fire!
♥ God bless you as you continue this great adventure of knowing Him!
Sola Scriptura
In our discussion today, I would love for all of us to share the answers to these questions: If Jesus walked into the room today, how would you respond? What would you do? What would you say? And what would your answer be to His question, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Please comment.
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- Title: Sky On Fire
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- Description: Sunset thunderclouds backlit by God in Palm Desert, CA.
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- Date Created: 04/13/12
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