Do you love my Jesus? My Jesus is your Jesus. We are all His children, red and yellow black and white; we really are precious in His sight. But do we truly love Jesus and cherish His love for us? The question that sparked this story was the title for Rev. Alan Robert’s sermon at Baptist Chapel Church recently. It touched my heart, moving me to rise up and go forward during the invitation hymn.

Praising and praying prepares a church family for powerful worship. Sitting in the church’s balcony provided a panoramic view of families worshipping together, a huge host of children heading to children’s church, the choir sharing a song about His love that sent chills down my spine, and a pastor standing to preach a sermon that reached deep inside my soul and brought me closer to Christ. My tears and pounding heart were sure signs to rise up and renew my commitment to Him.

The Holy Spirit convicted me to move forward; the enemy urged me to stand still. God’s still, small voice gently persuaded me to follow my heart. 1 James 19 reminds us that God speaks in a still, small voice and His sheep will recognize it. I knew it was God speaking for me to go forward, but I stopped to think it over one more time. In my hesitation to take the first step in faith, the devil claimed advantage point. He flooded my thoughts with silly but persuasive sayings, ‘what will people think, this isn’t even your church, they will wonder what you’ve done wrong, they’re on the last stanza and people are ready to go home, just wait ‘till next time.’

I was almost persuaded when I thought of how God has blessed me, protected me, and healed me. My life is a testimony of His grace and goodness, of His willingness to give me a second chance at life…and love. So, I stomped my foot softly, making sure the devil knew advantage point was in my court. After the first step, the walking was easy. Taking the preacher’s hand and asking my Jesus to forgive me for anything I have done to hurt Him or others and anything I have not done for Him or others brought peace to my heart. I told him how his sermon touched me and how I love my Jesus. He prayed with me and I felt like I was on top of the world.

Walking back to my seat, I smiled at people in the pews without thinking twice about what they might be thinking. It is wise to think about what God thinks of us. Too often we strive to be people pleasers instead of pleasing God. I thought of Job 17:9 “But the one who is right with God will hold to his way. And he who has clean hands will become stronger and stronger.”

Church services conclude in many churches with no one walking the aisle to accept Christ, to rededicate their lives, to offer praise to God, or just to kneel at the altar and pray. We certainly don’t have to go forward and shake the preacher’s hand to get brownie points from God or impress people. How dangerous such actions would be! Yet, not a Sunday comes when we worship our Lord that we have lived sin free all week. Therefore, we should make things right with God, get clean hands, and we will be stronger. This commitment and re-dedication can be done from our seats, but God says when we honor Him in front of people, He is pleased. Allowing the Holy Spirit to flow gives freedom for precious praise and worship…and His people will be moved. I scored an ace from divine coaching and prompting of the Holy Spirit to ‘go forward’. The enemy is defeated when Jesus leads our lives at every game we play

The sermon about ‘Do you know my Jesus?’ stuck in my mind for weeks. Mr. Robert’s message moved me to think about people who do not know my Jesus and what I was or was not doing to share Him with them. It’s difficult to imagine anyone not knowing and serving Jesus. Could God be speaking to people who profess knowing Jesus personally to become workers instead of waiters? I believe this message should be preached to the masses. Miracles of people coming to know ‘our Jesus’ can happen, if we all step forward in faith.

An old hymn titled, ‘Anywhere with Jesus’ is perfect to share with anyone who knows and loves my Jesus. If you do not know Jesus, read these words and you will understand just how wonderful it is to walk with Him, talk with Him, and tell Him you are His own every single day. It is so simple to receive salvation. Just repent of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart. He is waiting and willing to become ‘your Jesus’, forgetting and forgiving anything in your past and protecting your future by the blood He shed on Calvary. If you know my Jesus, your heart will understand these words.

“Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go; anywhere He leads me in this world below; Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade; Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid. Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone, Other friends may fail me, He is still my own; Though His hand may lead me over dreary ways, Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise. Anywhere with Jesus over land and sea, Telling souls in darkness of salvation free; Ready as He summons me to go or stay, Anywhere with Jesus when He points the way.”

Knowing Jesus gives peace, protection, and promise. He really will go anywhere with you. Fear you will not know, for anywhere with Jesus you can safely go. In Hebrews 13:5 God says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” And He is a God of His Word. Do you know my Jesus? I sure hope so!