Jesus is Better

Jesus' first miracle...turning water into wine.  I honestly never thought much about Jesus' first miracle, about this miracle of turning water into wine, the significance, the symbolism.  It really is a remarkable thing!  The ceremonial washing jars vs. Jesus, religion vs. relationship, the cheap wine vs. the best wine...the new covenant!  Communion!  Nearness to our Father!  How amazing and telling this first miracle of Jesus was and is!

Forever the new wine would mean:
the end of our sin;
the end of measuring up;
the end of proving ourselves;
the beginning of what we were made for - nearness to God.

Ephesians 2:4-10 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raise us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

God has given us a great gift, the best gift, Jesus.  We don't have to work for this gift, strive for this gift, it is freely given when we accept this gift in faith.  God's precious grace that covers every aspect of our lives so we can live better, so we can quit trying to measure up, most importantly so we can live and walk closely with Him with real fulfillment, real joy, real peace.

God forgive us for deciding what is should look like to follow Him, for suggesting that fulfillment comes more from the life we build here than the life that waits for us with Him.  Somehow we miss that the most exciting, fulfilling rush of an experience comes in following the Spirit of God.  Jesus promises complete fulfillment.

Why do we settle for cheap wine?  Entertainment, social media, work, our kids' activities, our kids' lives?...ouch, material things?  The list could go on and on with the things we put in place before our Jesus.

Our joy, or our lack of it, is a direct result of where we spend our time and thoughts and energy.

Time with Jesus...how much time do we really spend with Him?  I'll be honest, I do not spend enough time with Him.  I have been settling for cheap wine in the way of ministry and trying to keep everyone happy (aka people pleasing).

We want to do things for God without spending time with God.  God built us for Himself, and all our attempts to manage life apart from intimacy with Him only further expose our ache for Him.

Jesus, the best wine means: joy, satisfaction, freedom, enoughness, He will measure up for us, that we no longer have to be addicted to the empty diversions of this world.  What does this look like?  Cutting off or out the things that distract us from intimacy with Jesus!  Do it!  Do we want God more?

Be Still

"And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail".  Isaiah 58:11

Step into the Stream

When you look at your life and how you spend your time, what is the most tempting addiction for you?  Name your cheap wine.  How is Jesus better?

Wade in Deeper

Plan one hour and be with Jesus in a new way.

• Arrange time to be alone.
• Pick a new, unique, inspiring location.
• Take your Bible and journal and a pen,
• Turn off your phone.
• Be.

Quench Your Thirst

Take a technology fast. Try it for one day!

The Overflow

Right now, pick up your phone and text one friend a passage of Scripture she needs to be filled up.

Jesus is better!

https://youtu.be/H0QotnipM-o

*Everything in italics is from "Nothing to Prove"