Steps to Victory
Mark 1:40
1. REACH out to Him
2. REQUEST of Him
3. RECOGNIZE Him
4. REGARD it as done.
Step
one: REACH out to Him: "And there came a leper to him. . ."
No doubt this man
had been to others to try to find some relief. But even though he more than
likely got, a few "be well my sons," and perhaps more "go away
you bother me’s," he persisted. As a leper he was totally dependant on
others for everything.
Get into the habit
of reaching out for Jesus. It is the only way to make contact with him.
Step
two: REQUEST of Him. "Beseeching him. . ."
1. God has made it
quite clear that we are to ask, seek and find.
2. He longs to hear
our requests.
3. Sadly that is
the only time that many communicate with Him.
4. No wonder he
encourages us to ask of Him, else He may never hear from us.
5. Talk to God,
tell him how you feel, tell him what you perceive that you need, tell him what
you want. Don’t be shy. Talk, talk, talk. Listen, listen, listen.
6. God wants more
than anything to have a conversation with you. Make your request known to him
and receive his answer with Thanksgiving.
Step
three: RECOGNIZE Jesus for whom He really is: kneeling down.
Over the last one
hundred years there has been a movement to relegate Jesus to the position of a
great teacher, or great philosopher. Let me submit to you that he was none of
those. C. S. Lewis put it best in answer to this question. "He is either a
liar, a lunatic or lord." But the most burning question for us today is
the very same question that Jesus asked his disciples 2000 years ago. "But
whom do you say that I am?" You know Jesus is asking that very question of
you today. And what is your answer. To you is Jesus just a really nice guy? Or
perhaps he has some great truth to tell? Examine yourselves today. Who is Jesus
to you? If he is not the Lord of your life, then you have missed this step on
the road to victory. Recognize Jesus for whom he truly is.
Finally
Step four: REGARD it as done. "Thou canst make me clean. . ."
We must believe
that Jesus can do anything. Why? Well, simply because He can!!! Many over the
centuries have tried to make this such a deep theological thing and it is not.
This is not rocket science folks, Jesus can do anything. And Paul takes it a
step further by saying that through him.. "all things are possible."
That means that if you have followed all of the steps, you can do anything as
well. The greatest thing that Jesus can do is to take all of your cares and
burdens. Take all of that rubbish and leave it at the foot of the cross, turn
around and leave it. What many insist on doing is to lay their burdens down and
then immediately go back and pick them up again. How absurd. Let Jesus deal
with it and forget about it. Regard it as done.
What step are you
on right now?
Are you reaching
out?
Are you making
requests?
Are you recognizing
Jesus for who He really is?
Are you regarding
it as done?
Take the steps to
victory in Jesus.
Have a wonderful week
Rev. Thomas L Howard