What does Jesus mean to you?

This week I went on a quest, asking a simple question yet meaningful question; what does Jesus mean to you? I went on social media in hopes to find out what people really think about Jesus. I was able to capture a few of my favorite answers that I am sure will inspire and encourage you to keep falling in love with Jesus. I want to thank everyone who participated and shared their hearts with all of us.

The next time you feel abandoned and alone with absolutely no strength or hope to continue pressing forward, go back to this blog and read these answers because in Jesus you will find everything you need. You may not be where you want to be but you are where you need to be. You may be going through a struggle but know that Jesus is right by your side, cheering you on every step of the way. Whatever situation you may be encountering know that 'This Too Shall Pass' and that joy comes in the morning. The best is yet to come and God has wonderful plans for you! Do not get discouraged, do not give up, everything you need is found in JESUS!

What does Jesus mean to you? 26 heart-felt responses.

• What Jesus means to me is a new life. Transformation. Restoration. Redeemer. Jesus is Salvation for all. He is the son of God. Jesus means eternal Mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus means hope. Jesus means life. Savior for all mankind. Endless love. A love of many chances. Jesus means the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus is freedom. –Karla Jiron

• The reason of my existence, Salvation, Love, Praise and Forgiveness. -Zulma Castillo

• Jesus = Love personified, my second chance, -Ruthy Rodriguez

• My support, my rock...the only one I can trust to handle the things I can't handle myself.....My savior, my friend, my healer, the one who can give me peace when my world is torn to bits (like it has been now) Jesus is my everything...I just cannot live without Him.....He gives sense to my world. -Marsha Gomez Hurney

• He is my best friend! He's been faithful; when no one else was there He was there. He is my rock! He is my everything! -Marsha Capellan

• He means my salvation in every way, He is everything I need. My loving King who fights for me. -Lucia Parker

 

• He is my WAY because He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. He is my TRUTH because He is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? He is my LIFE because He is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? He is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? –Millie Perez Gonzalez

• To me Jesus is like oxygen, the moment you don't have it, you get anxious, desperate, need it to continue living. Jesus, I need him to continue living. -Marcos Lopez Ayala

• Jesus is my foundation. The foundation of my family, of my marriage, of my very existence. Jesus is God, He represents Grace at its ultimate level, He encompasses every single motive, reason, and purpose to live for. Jesus is enough! Without Jesus I wouldn't be able to go through what we are going through with peace and comfort in my heart and soul knowing that His ultimate will is being done. -Claudia Rivera Vargas

• To me, based upon his word and actions in the Bible, Jesus means unconditional LOVE... enough to die and save. JESUS is so much to us but it all comes down to LOVE! -Carol Polanco

• He is big and overwhelming in my life. I love Him lots! –Valerie Inclan

• Before I would say that Jesus was everything to me but there came a point in my life where I found myself alone...literally. Family was in another city/state, and friends were not there. That is when I realized the place Jesus had in my life was not what I preached. In that dark moment is where Jesus truly became my everything; my father, my best friend, my counselor, my healer....my passion. So you ask me now what Jesus means to me and I can honestly, truly and with conviction say that Jesus is my....EVERYTHING. -Naeecha Silva

 

• Jesús para mí significa puerto seguro. No importa que tan "preparada" este para ciertas situaciones llámese trabajo, estudios o vida personal, si Jesús no está involucrado en el asunto no me siento segura de mi misma. Jesús dentro de las muchas cosas que representa en mi vida es una parte fundamental de mi persona, como mujer. -Katherine Polanco

• Cuando me detengo a pesar que significa JESUS para mí. La única palabra que sale de lo más profundo de mi corazón es Amor. Fue su amor el que me rescato, me libero, me restauro y es su amor el que me mantiene viva! y por tanto tengo  que testificar al mundo que el sacrificio de JESUS  en la cruz del calvario fue por amor. -Carolina Flores

• Único y Restaurador - Frances Rivera

• Amigo, Fuerza y Esperanza –Estefania Ospina

• I would say that Jesus is my everything. He is the reason I exist I live for him I breathe because of him he is my greatest advocate he fights my battles I feel a peace and strength that no one and nothing has been able to give me like he has been able to give me.  His name has such a power that when I am feeling at my worst and my weakest just mentioning his name gives me a sense of faith and hope that regardless of what comes my way I can trust in him and trust that he knows exactly what he's doing in my life. He has loved me when I felt unlovable and unworthy. And has made me literally feel his love surrounding me in my darkest hour. -Kathy Perez Gonzalez

• Jesus is my breath of fresh air. Many times I get caught up in my daily routines and all of my responsibilites, I’m just thankful for that peace I get when I just stop and breathe. In that deep breath I inhale His peace, His love, the reminder that He placed me where I need to be and I exhale all the stress, feeligns of being overwhelmed and heartache. God breathed life into His creation, Jesus took His final breath on the cross for me. I’m thankful for those deep breaths. –M.F.

• Jesus is my breath of life! He's my strength when I get up in the morning, He's my source of inspiration, my reason to be good and mostly important my HERO! I'm in love with Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice humbles me to worship Him with all in me. -Dafne Gomes Spencer
 

• Jesus means peace to me because through Him I have peace and conquer all understanding and misunderstandings too! He also means power so we can see the purpose through. And lastly He means plenty because sometimes we have little or nothing and He gives us spiritual abundance. -Jennifer Morales

• Jesus is LOVE. He is the only reason I understand what love is. No boyfriend, friend, or family member can tell me they love me if it doesn't reflect that love. -Gloridely Tavarez

• Jesus means everything to me. He is truly my life; everything I do on a daily basis is surrounded by Him.  He is my Savior, my best of friends. No matter how bad I may mess things up, I know I can always look for Him and know that He is still there for me to lift me up and to forgive me. I cannot imagine a day without Him. He is my love, my peace, my hope. Everything, I mean everything I do, I base it around my relationship with Him. -Yari Wimbush

  

• He is the meaning of life. Without Him life fails to exist. He is the true meaning of the word friendship. His name defines grace. He means complete happiness. He is the source of good news. He means everything! –Erik Carrion

• To me Jesus is my everything. Without him life would not be worth living. He is my friend, my confident, my strong tower, my refuge, my comfort, my hero, and I can go on. Jesus is real and He is here for each of us, best part is He is a gentleman. He will knock on the door of your heart but will only walk in if the door is opened for Him. Jesus is in one word, Perfect. –Erica Canales

 

• Jesus is my bride-groom. Gentle, humble and atisfying in every sense of the word. He saw my burdens were far too heavy for me to bear and as the ultimate gentleman He is, He took them upon his own back, continuing to do so today; that we may walk together, me in love with Him and Him with me, for the rest of the days to come. Jesus is simply love. Not just for me, but for all of our world. –Meena Vee

 

I hope that after reading these responses, your faith is strengthen and your relationship with Jesus is deepened. He is EVERYTHING and if we are here today is because of His love and sacrifice for us. He died so that we can live. And He lives so that we can spend eternity with Him. What a beautiful exchange of selfless love! 

 

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez- Feliciano

His words

This month we’ve been talking a lot about Jesus and the world tends to remember Him a little bit more than the rest of the year (except for Christmas). And as we take this Holy Week to remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ did on the cross for our sins, let us never forget that He not only died but resurrected on the third day. Jesus is ALIVE! That is why we do not only celebrate Him on this memorable week but we celebrate Jesus every single day because He lives!

Last week, I started a series in our young adults small group on the last Seven Words Jesus said on the cross before His death. And I would like to share a brief thought with you so when you listen to them on Good Friday, you can have a clear perspective of these words and how you can apply them to your life. These words are powerful and they are at our disposal, two thousand years later!

1. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:24)

Choosing to forgive doesn’t say “I’m weak.” It says “I’m stronger than what you did to me.” We have to learn how to let it go. Whatever happened in the past let it go. Let Go and Let God. Do yourself a favor and forgive so you can be free to continue living your life the way God intended you to live it. HAPPY!

There is a promise of forgiveness for you and to others! If Jesus forgave, we can forgive.

2. Jesus said to the thief who was also crucified, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

No matter what situation we may find ourselves in, there is always an opportunity in the midst of our trials. There is purpose in pain. The Bible says that for those who love God ALL things work out for good. Sometimes bad things happen but then we will see God turn it around for His glory. We are not only called to forgive but also to present the Opportunity to others to go to heaven as we were one day presented that same opportunity. Jesus died for all of humanity.

There is a promise of heaven. If Jesus extended the opportunity to a thief, who was a sinner; we too, can extend the opportunity not only to our friends and family but also to strangers and enemies.

3. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.’ (John 19:26)

There is a promise of family. If your family has abandoned or rejected you, Jesus will accept you with open arms. In our Father’s house there are many rooms available and there is one reserved for those who are willing to come to His house.
 
4. Matthew 27:46 records Jesus’ loud cry on the cross, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

These words from Jesus tell us that whatever we’re going through, God is aware of your pain. And if He chose to, He could have changed the outcome. Therefore, direct your questions to God, but know that you can trust His goodness and righteousness. We see only a day at a time. God sees the whole picture. He will do what is good and right in your life.

5. ’I am thirsty.’" (John 19:28)

To confess need, weakness or injury opens up our heart for God to heal. Resentment and anger says, "I’ll get even," or "God doesn’t care." But a hopeful and trusting person confesses his need and weakness to God.

6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)

If you belong to Jesus, you will have the resources and resolve to deal with the trials in your life. Tough times are temporary; God’s people are eternal. Most people give into circumstances or temptations, not because they lack resources, but because they lack resolve; they gave up too soon. We can finish and finish well.

7. “Jesus called out with a loud voice, ’Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23:46)

We have not lost if we know in Whose hands we are held. Whether stripped of our possessions, reputation, physical or mental health, we need not be anxious, because our lives are not like dry leaves, blown and tossed by the wind. We are lovingly and eternally held in our Father’s hands.

These final words of Jesus offer eternal confidence and eternal relationship. There is the promise of forgiveness, the promise of Heaven, the promise of family, the promise of God’s watchfulness, the promise of resources and resolve, and the promise of God’s sovereign care.

Earlier today, I sent out text messages to a few people asking a simple question and here are a some responses.

Question: What does Jesus mean to you?

• Powerful and Merciful Savior which knows no boundaries. –Maribel Gomez

• Freedom. He doesn’t judge us like everyone else does and He’s someone I can completely trust my heart to Him without worry of Him betraying me. –Tatiana Maldonado

• Jesus is my safe haven. The person I know I can go to regardless of what I have done or what I think. He is my definition of what true love is. He is the lover of my heart and healer of my soul. –Wendy Ureña

• Jesus is NEEDED. There is no life, grace or way-without Him; only through Him. -Kenia Y. Perez-Ayala

• Jesus is my hero! The perfect role model, the savior of the world, defier of death, and the person I want to most please. He is my everything! I am so glad that I met Him and serve Him. –Rosa Dorado

• Jesus is who I live for. He is my anchor when I’m in my most troubling days and the person I look up to whenever I have to make a moral decision. I ask myself, what would Jesus do? But most of all, He is my redeemer and He LIVES! –Daniel Ospina

• Jesus means LIFE to me. If it weren’t for Him believing in me more than I could believe in myself I wouldn’t be who I am today. I'm not where I would like to be but I am here! –Sasha Castillo

• Jesus means EVERYTHING to me. From His love all the way to His grace and mercy. He means so much to me that He allows me to take advantage of His amazing love and forgiveness. How…? He’s the only one that can truly give me a 2^nd chance, a 3^rd chance, a 4^th chance and so on and on and on… He forgives me beyond any end. He loves me beyond measures and this is why He’s everything to me. –Johanna Diaz

Remember Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for you. Allow Him to do an extraordinary work in your life!

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥