(2 John 1:12 NASB) - Jesus_Up Close and Personal

(2 John 1:12 NASB) "Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full."

One of the things that always intrigued me as a child was the telephone. Although the instrument had been in existence for quite some time, it has evolved considerably in my lifetime and is still evolving.

In our family, it was, indeed, a memorable occasion when we would pick up the telephone and call some distant friend or relative to talk with them on the phone. Early on, we would have to call a long distance operator who would place the call and call us back. Then the technology improved, and we could wait online while the operator placed the call. Still later there was direct distance dialing.

Talking with grandmothers, aunts and uncles was a real treat, but it didn't take the place of a face-to-face family gathering. Then, we could actually sit down with our friends and relatives and see their reaction immediately to what we said.

Kind of like John's comment above about having many things to write to the person(s), as I grew older I came to prefer the personal contact with those I was communicating with. I could see right then whether what I was saying was making the connection I intended.

Of all the apostles I would have thought that Brother John would be the one who would want similar close contact with those he was talking to. He surely had it with the Lord when Jesus was here on earth walking with the apostles. And I can see how that contact, as close and intimate as it was, would have caused John to want to forgo pen and paper for an "in-person" exchange.

And that's precisely the relationship I have with my Lord today. There is no distance between us. He's with me all the time............and I share with Him all those things a child shares with his Parent. And although I can't see Him in the usual sense, I know He's still there because He speaks to me in so many ways throughout the day in His Word.

Jesus is up close and personal............that's always the way He intended for it to be...........and I am blessed to have that kind of relationship with Him.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

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"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on September 10, 2004 in post #645. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added July 30, 2005

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