Jesus as King

Hey everyone,

1 Peter 3:15-16 says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

I just got back from a mission trip to New York City. It was an interesting trip, but saturated by the Holy Spirit's presence. It was praiseworthy and for that I am grateful.

I learned many things on the trip and I saw God work in so many unfathomable ways in the students that went on the trip. I was so greatly blessed to see God move. I was definitely looking forward to seeing God do a work in them more than I was in seeing the sights of NYC.

AND HE DID! I was so drawn to tears for a few of those nights because all I could do was praise Him for revealing Himself. And He still is. I am now praying for those students for further shaping of their hearts by God. I pray that it wasn't momentary but lifelong. And I know that God is so faithful that it will be lifelong!

I wrote our daily devotions for the week. The Scripture above was one I had chosen for the students to think about and read. The day we discussed this Scripture, we talked about letting Christ be our all. But more than that, remembering He is our friend. One of the students in my group even pointed out (so profoundly, I might add) that we can get wrapped up in spending time worshiping Jesus, but forget spend time being relational with Him. We can spend a lot of our energy singing to Him and doing good things while forgetting that He desires a relationship with us, where we do sing to Him, but we also give our hearts and fall in love with Him.

I was moved by the way these young people really grasped that. I desire Jesus to be my King, but also my friend. And He is. But I need the reminder so often. The day we did this devotional, I saw God work in the most profound way I have in a long time in these young people. He really did a work. He brought them before His throne, where their souls were naked before Him and let Him do a work. I cried for the power of God moving. I am so thankful He brought us all to that place.

It's only by grace that I can proclaim Jesus as King. It's only by the favor that God bestows upon me. I know it is not easy to understand, but it is truth. I can only stand and move because of His Holy Spirit's empowerment.

I am a child of the most High God! I am an heir with Jesus! My Lord is my friend! What power love has to transform our hearts and lives! That power is the power that we must carry with us always to transform this world.

I pray these words move for God's victory and bring Him the most glory. To Him be all my praise.

Brandon