"More time with Jesus."
A sweet lady I have studied under for years quipped that statement a few years ago, and it stuck with many of us. And honestly, while simple, its deep. What does time with Jesus look like? It's prayer, it's scripture reading, scripture studying (there is a difference in reading and studying), its worshipping, its singing His praises, attending/listening to sermons that are biblically sound, fellowshipping with other believers.
Time with Jesus - based on the above, well its a lifestyle. It is not something you can flippantly partake in. If you are wanting time with our Lord and Savior, its a commitment, it takes dedication, it takes a mindset that is focused on the heavenly things.
But when you add the word "more" to the front of the phrase, it implies someone who is already dedicated and committed to their relationship and walk with the LORD. And that is beautiful. That someone who is not satisfied with a surface level encounter with Jesus.
This reminds me of the analogy given by my mentor L.M. regarding the study of the Bible in the Precept Style. This is how she described different Christians, the different levels of involvement that Christians have in their walk with Jesus. Precept in her opinion was scuba diving.
- On the beach, feet in the sand
- Christians who attend church on Easter, Christmas, for weddings, and for funerals
- Splashing toes in the water/waves
- attend Sunday School and one church Service a week
- Water up past the knees
- Serve at church, attend several times a month, involved in activities hosted by the church
- Snorkeling, face under the water
- All of the above, and attend events that are study-like, but said study's require very little from the individual at home in the way of study.
- Scuba Diving out in the water with land no where in sight
- This is where someone who does Precept Bible study is according to my former mentor. With Precept Bible Study, you are essentially taking a college course in Bible. In depth reading, a good 4 to 5 hours a week of study, using God's Bible to study God's Bible. So many beautiful cross-references. And a person who has studied God's word in this manner....they live a life transformed by Jesus. When you have seen the beautiful interweaving of God's narrative you serve, you worship, you participate at a different level.
I miss taking precept. Thanks to the global pandemic, the classes have been on hold. Last fall we did
move forward in our studies via online meetings, but something was missing and it was harder. Precept truly is a class meant for in-person instruction and conversation. I am hopeful that this upcoming fall the class will resume and I will be able to attend and study.
move forward in our studies via online meetings, but something was missing and it was harder. Precept truly is a class meant for in-person instruction and conversation. I am hopeful that this upcoming fall the class will resume and I will be able to attend and study.
Obviously someone who has done Precept, or similar inductive Bible studies, they grasp, they live "More Time with Jesus." When I look at all that is going on in the world, I see a world though that isn't ready for "More" - I see a world that needs to "Make" Time for Jesus.
More Time with Jesus vs Make Time for Jesus
My mind and heart are heavy as I move into this next section. I am saddened. I grew up and live in America. The land of the free to quote the Star Spangled Banner (1814). A country founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs, founded with the mindset of religious liberty and freedom. While many states in this United country have worked hard to keep people of faith from partaking in their God ordained right of worship, the past 13 months has shown the churches that will do anything to reach the lost. These churches, they remind me of Smyrna and Philadelphia - the two churches who received no rebuke from our Lord Jesus Christ. So many churches initially closed due to wanting to honor Romans 13:1 -
"Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." (New American Standard Bible)
But then that initial two weeks to "flatten the curve" never stopped. It kept be extended, the proverbial tin-can kept being kicked down the road. And in fact, our current residing President says states that have opened back up, that have given the right to its citizens to decide how to live, that they should shut back down (link). That these states are being "reckless." That type of rhetoric is fear mongering, and I serve a Lord who says, "Do not fear": link, link, link, link, link
I am thankful and grateful for all the churches who stood up, and said enough and opened back up. Not a one was rude, but they left it up to their congregations to attend in person if they felt comfortable. For the individuals or families who did not feel that in-person fellowship and study was for them, the online options were numerous. But when the Apostle Paul, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, said,
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 - King James Version
He was not talking about an online community. Think of it as a watch, and its components. If they pieces are just gathered together but not in the right functioning place, the watch doesn't work. Only when "assembled" does the watch work. That is the Church. We can gather online together, but we are not in a position to function and work as the Lord has called us to do. It is only when we are assembled together, in-person, that we are truly effective and able to be used by our God.
The Church needs to Make Time for Jesus. Many have fallen away - and the past 13 months have revealed an apostasy. I have heard different word studies on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 -
"The Great Apostasy"
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, (New King James Version)
"The falling away" - a mass exodus from the faith, from the Church
Now the general consensus, which makes sense, is that people will leave the faith. But I have heard differently a few times in the past year a slightly different take. Its beyond just a great leaving - that is evident, but it also ties into the Rapture, which these verse are linked and symbolic of. There will be a great leaving of/from the churches, but also the leaving of the true Church (which is the Rapture). Something to think on, in these days in which we live. I will say though, we are seeing the leaving of the faith now.
More Time with Jesus would solve many of the worlds woes, but unfortunately More isn't even something to consider currently. We are in a state of where people need to Make Time FOR JESUS.
When a society, country, culture goes away from Jesus, we see the horror of depravity that is truly man. His righteousness is what makes us right with God. Without Him, without Jesus, we are sinful, depraved, and disgusting.
So as we start our day this Friday, I am asking you to Make Time for Jesus. It's Good Friday, today we remember the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Some churches observed the Lord's Supper last night as apart of Maundy Thursday. Our church we attend will be having a service tonight to reflect on the sacrifice Christ made as He was nailed to the cross. And on Sunday - all of Christendom will celebrate the empty tomb, the fact that our LORD is RISEN!
Start now by making time for Jesus by settling to attend church this weekend. That is a very good start.
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