November 7, 2007

When I saw Him [Jesus], I fell at His feet as though dead.         --Revelation 1:17

There are many things we can learn from today's verse, which describes John's initial reaction to seeing Jesus in all His glory.

As husband and father, I've seen a lot of amazing sights over the course of my life. The sight of my bride walking down the aisle...the births of all three of my children. But as great and wonderful as those experiences were, none of them caused me to fall to the ground like a dead man!

Yet when John saw Jesus, it was too much for his mind...too much for his body...to bear. And as a result, he crumbled like a leaf at the feet of Jesus.

Today I want to ask you, what is your initial reaction to the Lord Jesus Christ in your life?

In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Is this the cry of your heart today? Because Jesus can't take His rightful place as Lord of your life until you die to yourself...until self is conquered and laid at the feet of Jesus, dead.

Are there areas in your life that you haven't died to...that you haven't truly laid at the feet of Jesus? I would encourage you to pray Psalm 139:23-24 today, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous (or wicked) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

It's my hope that you will begin to truly give up control of every area of your life to Christ today...so He will lead you in the everlasting way.

Jesus can't take His rightful place as Lord of your life until you truly die to yourself.