Everybody Needs a little Jesus.
You’ve tried everything.
The career, the relationships, the self-help routines, even the vacations meant to ‘reset’
you.
But after all that, something still feels off. You’re left asking, ‘Is this it? Is this really all
there is to life?’
What if I told you that the answer isn’t found in more of what you already have, but in
something—or Someone—you may have overlooked?”
But here’s the truth: Without Jesus at the center, all those things will leave you empty.
What if the one thing you’re missing isn’t more of what you already have, but
something—or someone—you’ve been overlooking?
How long can you keep holding it all together?
Could it be that the thing you’ve been avoiding or ignoring is the very thing that
holds the key to your peace, purpose, and fulfillment?
Jesus fills that void in a way nothing else can.
SO I know you might not be ready for A LOT of JESUS, but let me introduce you to a LITTLE JESUS!
EVERYBODY NEEDS A LITTLE JESUS
Many people are living with a little bit of Jesus with them, but they haven’t experienced
the fullness of life that comes from Jesus living in them through the Holy Spirit.
Is Jesus just a companion, or is He the core of who you are?
TEXTS:
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? —Psalms 42:1-2 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. —John 14:27 (KJV - King James Version)6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. —John 14:6 (KJV - King James Version)11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for prosperity and
not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. —Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation:
16 for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been
created through Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. —Colossians 1:14-17 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
These scriptures show us that Jesus makes the difference.
Jesus needs to be the
Jesus Meets Every Need
Jesus offers peace (John 14:27), direction (John 14:6), and purpose (Jeremiah
29:11).
Things we chase offer temporary satisfaction, only Jesus provides lasting
fulfillment.
Jesus isn’t just for “Sunday mornings” He needs to be at the center of everyday life.
Colossians 1:17
Jesus gives us a hope and a future.
His role isn’t limited to our present circumstances but extends to eternity.
Salvation and life are rooted in Jesus, which brings stability in uncertain times.
Why not make Jesus the focal point of our lives— not just in emergencies but in our everyday routines, decisions, and long-term planning.
Matthew 6:33 (“Seek first His kingdom…”)
This is the type of transformation that takes place with Jesus in His proper place in
your life:
I was born in Germany and raised in a church with many traditions which have no
scriptural basis. I knew about God, but didn’t have a personal relationship with Him.
In 1995, I had to leave Germany and all that was familiar and dear to me - my family, my
friends, and my job. As soon as I came to the U.S., I was faced with a situation that was
so devastating that I felt hopeless. I became severely depressed, to the point of not
wanting to live anymore. Medication and therapy were my only way out.
In 2004, I had to deal with a similar situation, but this time it was different!
God had prepared me for it by leading me to theCrossroads the year before. There I
heard the truth of God’s Word preached. I repented of my sins, got baptized in Jesus’
name, and was filled with the Holy Ghost.
As I started to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, He showed me His love,
care and protection. This was done by giving me a Pastor and a church family who
supported me through it all. This time I didn’t need any medication or therapy because
Jesus gave me hope, strength, and a joy I never had before!
As I have learned to become faithful in serving Him, Jesus has shown Himself faithful
to me by providing for all of my family’s needs. —Gerda
I remember as a little girl, reading my picture Bible with mom before bedtime (neither
one of us fully in truth) and believing that there was a God who sent a bearded man
with sandals on earth, to die for my sins. If I’d confess all my sins - how I snuck candy
when mom wasn’t looking, or how I lied about the red juice stain I made in the carpet -
and invite this figure into my heart, my future would be secure and I’d go to Heaven
one day. And so I did! I invited Jesus into my heart during a Summer Bible camp. And I
invited Him into my heart every Bible camp thereafter, just to make sure He was still in
there.
As I got a little older, I’d confess and invite Him in every so often, but suddenly found
myself questioning if that’s all there was to this thing.
About that same time, my mom began attending an Apostolic Pentecostal Church.
Apostolawhat? My mom was excited and I quickly became an irritated teenager who
found herself running from her mother, who’d excitedly follow me through the living
room, quoting scriptures about how God himself became a man and died for our sins.
She said something about receiving some Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues too-
and that’s when I knew she’d lost her mind! I didn’t realize it at the time, but through
her excitement, God was beginning to work out the plan He had for my life.
He has one for us all.
My mom invited me to attend church with her. I initially thought I was just attending to
appease her, but God began to speak to me in a way I’d never experienced before. I
found myself overwhelmed by His mercy and love and wanted to know who He really
was. As I sought Him more and more, He thoroughly introduced Himself and
completely blew my mind! I decided to confess my sins, but this time, have them
washed away through baptism in His Name, the Name of Jesus, like His Word says. My
life never felt so new! Before I knew it, God also filled me with His Spirit, the Holy
Ghost, and I became fully persuaded that He indeed had my heart.
It’s been an awesome journey since then. Not without its setbacks and failures of
course, but one evident of His faithfulness time and time again. He’s been there to
comfort me through the darkest times of my life, He’s been my Healer and my
Protector. He’s kept me from trouble and guided me away from the destructive paths
my life was heading in. The One I hadn’t known, knew me all along, and since meeting
Him, I’ve never been the same! —Jessica
John 14:17 (NKJV - New King James Version)
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor
knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. —John 14:17 (NKJV - New King James Version)
ACTION STEPS
Let me try to make it really simple today…
Here is where you can start or help others around you get started with Jesus…
- Invite Jesus into Everyday Moments
Start small by inviting Jesus into your everyday activities.
Pray simple, honest prayers—like asking for peace before a stressful meeting,
guidance in making decisions, or strength during challenges.
Jesus is interested in every part of your life, not just the “religious” parts. - Explore Questions, Doubts, and Curiosity
Everyone needs a safe space (this should be the church /church family) to explore their
doubts, questions, and uncertainties about faith.
Be honest with yourself and with God, even if you don’t understand everything.
Many people carry unresolved questions or misconceptions about God and church in general.
Engaging with those questions in a non-judgmental way allows them to start building a relationship with Jesus based on openness and truth (Jeremiah 29:13). - Take One Step Toward Community
Some people might not be ready for a church service or small group to experience community, but we can invite them to a casual church event where they can connect with others.
No commitment is required—just a chance to meet others.
Being far from God also means being disconnected from others who follow Him.
Experiencing authentic community can be the first step toward knowing God through relationships (John 13:35). - Experience Jesus Through Service
Many people are happy to participate in a service project, such as helping with a food pantry, community clean-up, or serving at an event.
No spiritual pressure—just an opportunity to do good.
Serving others is a powerful way to experience Jesus’ love in action.
People need to feel Jesus working through them in ways that words alone cannot communicate (Matthew 25:35-40). - Reflect on Life’s Bigger Purpose
Reflect on the bigger questions of life—What is my purpose?
What happens after this life?
What do you truly want out of life?
Think about how your current path aligns with what you truly want out of life.
So many people are searching for purpose and fulfillment in worldly pursuits that leave us empty.
When we start to reflect on what we are here for, it helps us start seeing how Jesus offers answers to life’s most significant questions (Ecclesiastes 3:11). - Start with Gratitude, Not Perfection
Recognize the small things you can be thankful for, even if you don’t have all the answers about God yet.
A gratitude practice can be a simple way to open your heart to Jesus.
Our Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s missing or broken to what is present and good, helping us recognize God’s hand in our life without feeling overwhelmed by expectations of spiritual perfection (Philippians 4:6). - Look for Jesus in Nature and Creation
Take time to reflect on the beauty of nature— take a walk in the park, a hike, or just sit quietly outside on a nice evening.
Think about the Creator behind the creation.
You will begin to see God through the wonder of creation.
It will open your eyes to God’s presence in the world around you (Romans 1:20).
The transformative power of a personal relationship with Jesus. - Jesus Will Transform You!
Jesus isn’t distant or irrelevant but actively changing lives today
(Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17).
(Tom’s Testimony)
At the age of 19, I met a woman and got married, getting an instant family including a
new son, Gary.
She and I had 2 additional children together, Tommy and Emily.
Unfortunately, the marriage was toxic. After 10 years of hell, we divorced.
Their mother abandoned the kids so I received custody of all 3 of them.
I didn’t know how to be a parent. I was out of my league.
I regret what I put them through but that was about to change.
On a drunken, drug infused night, I ended up with 3 felony charges.
2 assaults on police officers and one assault to do great bodily harm, just less than
murder.
I was facing 5 to 15 years in prison. I was out of control.
Depressed and broken, my spirit was crushed. I cried out to Jesus in a jail cell.
I asked the Lord to send me to someone who knew Him.
About 30 minutes later, a deputy asked me “Collins, you want to be a trustee?” I said
yes.
So they moved me into another 2 man cell.
I walked in and a young man about 20 years old asked me if I was saved.I said “no, but I want to be”. He said “Praise God!
I prayed about 30 minutes ago for God to send me someone who wants to be saved”.
I said to him “You’re not going to believe this, but I prayed to be sent”.
This young man was a backslidden Pentecostal. He had gotten into devil worship.
He told me that he had been in a cemetery with a plan to rob a grave when a demon
appeared to him.
He believed it was going to kill him.
Suddenly, an Angel of the Lord appeared and ran the demon off.
He turned himself into the police and was serving his time.
Richard was his name.
That young man changed my life.
He began to give me a bible study on how to be saved and taught me Acts 2:38.
The power of the Lord was so strong in that cell, people would walk past, back up and
look in with a puzzled face.
They didn’t know what was happening.
I repented of all my sins in that cell for 3 straight days.
He was also giving a bible study to others in the common area.
After 3 days, I had to go to court for arraignment. I didn’t have an attorney yet.
I was laying in my bunk the day before when Jesus spoke to me.
He said “Get up and give your things away. I am going to let you out in the morning”.
I told myself it was just me thinking this in my mind.
A few minutes passed and I hear this voice again, “Get up and give your things away. I
am going to let you out tomorrow.”
I said, Lord, if I do this, people will think I’m nuts. But I thought, ok Lord, I’ll do it.
So I gathered my commissary things, snacks, paper, envelopes, stamps, etc.
I went into the common area.
Richard and some men were having a bible study around the table.
I started giving everything away and told them that God was letting me out tomorrow
in court.
They knew what I was charged with and why I was there.
Sure enough, they thought I was nuts, saying “you ain’t going nowhere. You’re in here
for worse things than us”.
I just shook my head and said, I know but God told me to do this so I did.
The next day, in court, the judge asked me what was going on with me.
I explained my situation.
Lo and behold, he let me out on my own recognizance.
The bailiff was so angry, he said “you assault my officers and I’m supposed to let you
go?”
He put me back into a cell and told me that if he found so much as a traffic ticket, I
wasn’t going anywhere.
About an hour passed and he came back and asked me if I wanted to leave out of the
front door or the back.
So I asked which door was closer and then out the back door I went.I truly believe if I hadn’t been obedient to God, it wouldn’t have happened.
I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall when I didn’t come back to the jail.
I bet there was some great Bible study that night.
That next Sunday, an acquaintance of mine invited me to the Apostolic Church in
Pontiac Michigan.
About 3 weeks later, I was baptized in Jesus name and received the gift of the holy
ghost coming up out of the water, speaking in tongues.
A year went by and I was summoned back to court.
I asked some of the associate pastors to pray with me and let them know I had court
the next day.
By this time, I had retained a lawyer to handle my case.
My lawyer and I were sitting in the lobby when two of the church pastors came up the
stairs.
They walked over to us and asked my lawyer where the judge’s chamber was.
He pointed to the door. They knocked on the door and went in. 10 long minutes
passed.
They came out, walked up to us and told me that I was not going to jail that day.
We went into court and the judge, again, postponed sentencing.
My lawyer was so impressed, he waived his fees.
About a year later, I went to court for sentencing.The judge gave me a year in work release.
I had to pay my debt to society, which I did gladly.
I started a Bible study while I was there.
That opened the door for members of the church to come into the jail.
One year after getting out, I was blessed to take a trip to Jerusalem.
I was able to walk in the same steps that Jesus had walked in.
I saw Golgotha, the Dead Sea, I watched people get baptized in the Jordan River.
We visited so many places there and then went to Rome where we visited the place
where Paul had been kept in prison.
It was the trip of a lifetime for me.
Now, All of my children had been baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy
Ghost.
My mother, brother, sister, nieces and nephews as well.
A total of about 40 people including friends.
But God wasn’t finished with blessing me.
In 1998, I met the love of my life. We were married by missionaries in Guadalajara,
Mexico.
Crystal is my gift from God.
There is so much the Lord has done, I could write a book, if I knew how.
I am now 66 years old and the Lord is still working on me.I am far from perfect, but a whole lot better than I used to be.
I made a lot of bad choices and had a lot of horrible things happen to me.
I have been able to forgive those who have done me wrong through the grace of God.
I can’t wait to see how God is going to continue to move in my life. —- Tom
Everyone needs “a little Jesus,” but more than that, they need the fullness of His
Spirit inside of them.
Just as the disciples were transformed, and Tom, Gerda and Jessica are being
transformed, we too can experience a transformed life when Jesus is not just with us
but living in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This progression from Jesus with His disciples to Jesus in them through the Holy Spirit
illustrates how close He desires to be to us—not just an occasional presence, but the
living, guiding force at the center of everything we are.