Follow Right

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be a follower of Christ. I recently read a book by the famous preacher C H Spurgeon who over a hundred years ago had this to say about following Christ.

Brethren remember, to keep close to Jesus Christ is right. It is in itself to keep close to integrity, for the Lord Jesus never stepped out of the right path. He never asks any of his followers to do anything which be a breach of the right, or which will make them turn aside from uprightness. If we could put our feet down exactly where his feet went down, even though we had to walk up to Calvary itself, it would be our duty so to do, for his path was perfect rectitude, and in him was no sin. We challenge heaven, with its omniscience, to detect a flaw in him. We challenge hell, with its malice, to discover in him an aught that is amiss. Lovers of the right and of the true, ask grace that you may be as he was. You cannot be more eminent for virtue than he. You cannot serve your God better. You cannot do better than keep close to every step that he has taken, and, whether in life or in death, to follow him. It is right, then, because he deserves it; it is right, again because in itself it is according to the eternal rules of equity.

Some things never change regardless of time. Jesus’ path was perfect may our desire be to follow Him as closely as possible.

Follow the Leader - Jesus, everyday. Amen?

Accept and Forgive

Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful words in the human vocabulary. 

How much pain and unhappy consequences could be avoided if we all learned the meaning of this word?

 King David shared some of the emotion he personally experienced after he asked God to “wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin”. - Psalm 51:2

Elsewhere he says,“ Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit”. - Psalm 32:1–2

In one bold stroke, forgiveness obliterates the past and permits us to enter the land of new beginnings. We all need forgiveness in our lives. Who do you need to forgive? Maybe it's yourself. If God can forgive us of our sins, how can we not forgive ourselves?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

Accept and Give Forgiveness Today and Every Day! 

Amen?

Important

There are two things that are apparent in today's world; 1. Christians are not gathering for worship, service, and study like they should. 2. The world is getting worse (more evil). Neither of these two facts take God by surprise.

 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25

So... What can we do about it? 

First, we need to make church a priority instead of a second (or third...) choice. Our desire to meet with God's people as His family must mean something of utmost importance. Those around us will notice, and we'll be better for it.

 Second, we need to be proactive in our stance for God's plan and ways (righteousness). Praying constantly and speaking up when we have our chance. The church's silence in the face of evil has done as much to promote wickedness as the enemy himself. There is a battle being raged between good and evil.

Whose side are you on?

The Fence

 I share this story every year, because there is always someone who hasn’t heard. It’s also a great reminder to all of us.

SITTING ON THE FENCE (WHO'S SIDE ARE WE ON?)

There was an incredibly large group of people assembled. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side of the group stood another man, Satan. Separating them, running through the group was a fence.  The scene set both Jesus and Satan began calling to the people in the group and, one by one, each having made up his or her mind, each went to either Jesus or Satan. This kept going and eventually Jesus had gathered around him a group

of people from the larger crowds, as did Satan. But one man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and just sat down on it.

Then Jesus and his people left and disappeared. So too did Satan and his people. And the man on the fence sat alone. As this man sat there, Satan came back, and appeared to be looking for something that he'd lost. The man said, "Have you lost something Satan looked straight at him and replied, "No, there you are. Come with me." "But," said the man, "I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor Him. "That's okay," said Satan. "I own the fence." 

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

- Joshua 24:15

Amen?

Lamb of God

When John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God (John 1), it sounded like Jesus' crucifixion was certain from the outset.

This Lamb of God imagery says something very different from "light of the world" or "bread of life" imagery. Jesus as the light of the world illumines and brings warmth. Jesus as the bread of life satisfies our deepest spiritual and physical hunger. Jesus as the Lamb of God speaks of one who was on his way to the cross.

What is the Biblical response to conviction of your sins? Let’s look at what happened after Peter’s great sermon on the day of Pentecost.

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” – Acts 2:36-39

What is your response?

The A Team

I read an article about Medical experts who had been researching why people choose a particular doctor over others. They determined it's three A's: "Affinity, Availability, Ability."

Affinity asks whether the doctor seems friendly, approachable, empathetic, and genuinely caring. Availability takes into account how long you have to wait to see the doctor. Ability measures their skill as a doctor.

The results of the research were that ability was the least important. Availability was in the middle. And the most important thing when choosing a doctor was affability or affinity.

What if we used these findings in determining how people choose a church. Better yet how about using these findings in determining why people go to church or not. I think we can. 

Remember people don't care what (or Who) you know until they know you care. Let's be genuine in sharing Christ's love with a world that desperately needs it.

Amen?

Promises

Hope is an incredible word, full of promise that better days are ahead. Sometimes life comes at you fast and we are dealing with things we never planned on. How many times in life do things not turn out as we planned or hoped for?

Maybe we need to consider what hope is. Hope in God’s eyes is not wishful thinking but means a “strong and confident expectation”.

Look at the promises that are made in Proverbs:

Proverbs 10:28 - The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

Proverbs 11:7 - Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

Proverbs 11:23 - The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

Proverbs 23:18 - There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 26:12 - Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Follow the Word, receive it's promises, and apply them to your life. Receive the hope that only God can give. 

Amen?