He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). John 1:41 People become known for many things. Noah is known as a righteous man in an evil age. David is known as the man after God's own heart. Peter is known as the outspoken disciple. John is known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Judas is known as the betrayer. Paul is known as a fearless proclaimer of the gospel. Andrew is known for bringing others to Jesus.
Andrew is a good role model for us. Our job is not to transform people into Christians nor to convict them of their sin. It is not our responsibility to make people do what they ought to do. Our task is to bring them to Jesus, and He will perform His divine work in their lives. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
Overwhelmed - Big Daddy Weave
I see the work of Your Hands
Galaxies spin in a Heavenly dance oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming
I hear the sound of Your Voice
All at once it’s a gentle and thundering noise oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming
I delight myself in You
Captivated by Your beauty
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
I know the power of Your Cross
Forgiven and free forever You’ll be my God
And all that You’ve done is so overwhelming
I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
And God I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful
Oh God, there is no one more Beautiful
You are Beautiful, God you are the most Beautiful
You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful
Oh God, there is no one more Wonderful
You are Wonderful, God You are the most Wonderful
You are Glorious, You are Glorious
Oh God, there is no one more Glorious
You are Glorious, God you are the most Glorious
I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
And God I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
There is no one more Beautiful
You are the most Beautiful
There's at least two things that have come to my mind to write about this morning. Seems that there's an outlet for joy this morning in that song by Big Daddy Weave.
When you find a way to put joy to words...overwhelmed is probably the closest that you can get in describing what Jesus can do with your heart.
It's awesome, it's amazing, it's...well...overwhelming.
Then as I read my devotionals I come across Blackaby talking about Andrew. There are many, and I am no different, who after spending any significant amount of time in a book find a character to latch onto. A character we mostly associate with. The Bible is no different in that. In the New Testament there are examples given of Heroes of the Faith. My personal one is Daniel. There's just something about him that draws me to liking him so much.
Andrew was brought to Jesus...someone did that. Andrew was so convinced about Jesus that he brought his brother Peter. We all can read about Peter and his ups and downs. Yet there's not much in recorded history of Andrew.
If it weren't for the footprints of God in Andrew's life we wouldn't know of Peter.
If it weren't for the footprints of others in Daniel's life we wouldn't be reading about him either.
If you indeed are a believer in Jesus Christ, there are footprints of someone leading you towards Jesus. Nobody made you accept Jesus as the Christ...Jesus knocked and you opened the door.
"Hey! It's Me! Jesus! Can I come in?".
It's really that simple. Nobody has ever needed a forced conversion to Christ. It has never worked that way. It's an invitation. In many places you see invitations given and they are either acceptable or not.
You may not be a huge pillar of the Church. You may never be a Billy Graham or C.H. Spurgeon. You may not even be as the Pastor of your Church. But if you have Jesus you have enough to share with others. Andrew shared what he had with others.
You can share the you that Jesus is making of you with others. The Holy Spirit is at work in your life. You will always be a work in progress until we are in the presence of Jesus. Don't be expecting to get your life right before you share it. It is what it is. Jesus meets us where we are. You meet people where they are. Jesus is in you...so now Jesus has met those you meet where they are.
You may not be some eloquent speaker. Who cares. Look at Peter. Poor Peter always gets it for shooting from the lip. Not thinking before speaking. Thomas was stubborn in his thinking and to this day has been called a doubter. I really think most from Missouri are related to Thomas. The 'show me' state.
You are unique. The worst we do to ourselves is compare ourselves to others.
I can't do what they can so I won't try.
I can't do that kind of thing they do I am not made that way.
Guess what? You're right!
God made you to be you. He made Andrew to be and do what He had in mind for Andrew to be an do. To be the best Andrew he could be for God.
He wants you to be the best you that you can be for God.
When I think on how many times I blew it trying to be like others that I saw as strong in the faith...I shake my head in wonder of how I got this far.
Scripture says to keep our minds on things above not on things here. When we look at and criticize ourselves we will always find faults. Go back to that song. Think on Jesus instead. We reflect His light and life.
Be who YOU are to be. Go ahead and be overwhelmed by Jesus. It's ok. It's also very peaceful. We rest best in His arms.
Write your own story of how Jesus changed you. Of His never ending love for you. Be who He needs you to be. Billy Graham had spoken of those whom brought him to Christ. Every powerful Church Leader who is empowered by God has had an Andrew that was there to say "Hey! I think I have found Jesus!".
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