On this episode of Faith Boost, Pastor Andrew McLennan talks about how inviting Jesus into our lives can change everything. Andrew starts by referencing a well-known song that claims Jesus is the answer to the world’s problems. He challenges us all to think about whether we have welcomed Jesus into our lives.
Andrew shares the story of Samson from the Book of Judges. Samson’s mother faced incredible challenges, as she was unable to have children in a time when their nation was conquered by the Philistines. Yet, even in these difficult situations, God can intervene and provide hope.
An angel sent by God visited Samson’s mother, which many believe is a sign of Jesus appearing before He was born as a man. ‘Most Bible scholars believe that the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament is Jesus,’ says Andrew. ‘There’s many times where you’ll see this angel of the Lord turning up. And the angel, the Lord Jesus, turned up in Samson’s mother’s life and everything changed. You need Jesus to change your life.’
Jesus is the Answer
Andrew believes there are many other examples in the Old Testament where Jesus appeared, like during the fiery furnace incident with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and when Daniel was in the lions’ den. These encounters changed lives in remarkable ways.
Andrew encourages everyone to seek Jesus in their own lives. He suggests reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, where the words of Jesus are often marked in red. By meditating on His promises, we can learn more about who He is and how He can make a difference in our lives.
‘You can start to encounter Jesus,’ says Andrew. ‘To know Him in a personal way. You can start to pray to Him and reach out to Him according to His word.’
In John 8, Jesus refers to Himself as the light of the world. We can ask Jesus to bring light into our lives and show us the right way to go. Andrew also reminds us that Jesus is the bread of life (John 6), offering true satisfaction that the world cannot give, especially in times when we might feel lost or disappointed.
‘This is how we can know Jesus today,’ says Andrew. ‘We can read His word and we can pray according to His word. Just like Jesus turned up in the life of Samson’s mum, He can turn up in your life too.’
Make sure you tune into Faith Boost and let your faith grow! It’s perfect for your busy schedule and available anytime on Vision’s website and app. Listen to Andrew’s full message below, and join us next time for another episode of Faith Boost!
