SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                              1417        

“Go Deep”

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them…he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. – Luke 6:47-48

The unexpected happens in life. Change is forced upon us at times and our life plans are redirected. It may be a health diagnosis, natural disaster, loss of job or of a loved one.

How well we deal with the unexpected turn of events depends upon the depth of our foundation in Jesus Christ like the ‘man who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock’.

God desires that we go deep with Him. It starts with going deep in a personal relationship with Jesus and builds upon that foundation with greater depth in Faith, Trust, Love, and Ministry.

Go Deep in Relationship with Jesus – A personal relationship with Jesus is the foundational rock upon which we can withstand the storms of life change. The more we study and pray the Word, the greater depth of intimacy in relationship we have. Is going deep in a personal relationship with Him a priority in your life?

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. – John 14:23

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. – James 4:8

Go Deep in Faith – Our faith can be easily shaken when our status quo is disrupted. Faith founded on the Truth of His Word is like a strong tower, a refuge in times of trouble.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. – Isaiah 59:1; Psalm 61:3

Is your faith like the seed that fell on rocky ground or has it sunk deep roots into the good soil of His Word?

My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! – Psalm 31:15

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 62:6

Go Deep in Trust – Our faith is a foundational belief. Our trust is the manifestation of our faith in how we act and behave when doing life in this world. Do your actions and behaviors testify that you have gone deep in your personal relationship with Jesus and faith in Him?

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. – Psalm 20:7

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. – Psalm 9:10

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. – Psalm 56:3

Go Deep in Love – It is easy to love those who love us. But can we go deep and get out of our comfort zone and love ‘our neighbor’, even if they hate us?

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. – Luke 6:27-28

It is easy to share resources when you have an abundance, but can you go deep in trust in His provision for you and share with those in need when you have little?

Jesus looked up and saw … a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” – Luke 21:1-4

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

Does the depth of our relationship with Jesus and our faith, and trust in Him provide the drive to love and serve others with the gifts He has given us as He commands us to do?

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace – 1 Peter 4:10

Go Deep in Ministry – God never intended that we be cloistered within the four walls of our church. We need to kick the walls down and be salt and light in the everyday world environment.

Life in this world is our mission field and Jesus commands us to go deep and let down the nets of our testimony of the Truth of the Gospel and salvation through Him.

Jesus came and said to them…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”- Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 5:4