Follow…

Follow…

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-20)

I never cease to be fascinated with the stories of people who encountered Jesus as captured for us in the New Testament Scriptures. Jesus invited ordinary people to come to Him first; and then, He told them to follow Him. In Luke 5:1-11, this encounter with Jesus is shared in greater detail, but the outcome is unchanged: They pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed Jesus!

How intriguing and compelling Jesus must have been to them! How irresistible His captivating presence must have felt! These fishermen immediately left everything – their very lives as they had known them up to that moment – to follow Jesus. What a testimony of their conviction and faith! I scare know anyone who has immediately left everything to follow Jesus; and yet, that is what He expects of us….

In Matthew 19:16-30, we read about another encounter. A rich young man met with Jesus to question Him about obeying the Law and eternal life. Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Oh, there is no doubt that to follow Jesus will require sacrifice on our part. Indeed, Jesus has affirmed to us all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

In spite the cost and self-denial required to follow Jesus, there are great blessings for doing so! Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Whoever follows Jesus will know His voice and never follow a stranger. (John 10:4-5) Whoever follows Jesus will serve Him; and where He is, His servants will also be. (John 12:26) These are just a few of the innumerable riches of grace Jesus imparts to us.  Indeed, to follow Jesus is to love Him wholeheartedly … withholding nothing within our beings from Him….

My friends, there is an incredible life to be received and experienced when we come to Jesus Christ and follow Him. He redeems us from the old-self … the old way of life. He empowers us walk in newness of life! (Romans 6:3-5) We become new creations; old things pass away; behold, all things have become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Yes, come to Jesus! Follow Him! He is the Way and the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

Have a Blessed Day!

Come…

Come…

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

Never have there been any kinder, more gentle words than this invitation of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a deep longing within each of us to hear His voice … calling us to draw close to Him and to surrender every wearisome burden of life. His appeal, “Come to me”, is the heart of the Gospel! Jesus assures us: “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” And, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” (John 6:35; 37-38)

Jesus taught, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ (Quoting Isaiah 54:13) Therefore, everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to me.” (John 6:44-45) And Jesus declared, “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” (Luke 6:47-48)

My friends, there is an abundance of grace to be received in His offer to Come! There are benefits to be enjoyed. When we come to Jesus and place our faith in Him, we receive His gifts of salvation and eternal life. Whoever comes to Jesus will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life! (John 8:12) Indeed, Jesus pleads: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38) Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Him!

So, I urge everyone to come to Jesus! He is waiting with open arms to embrace and betroth you! Yes, come to Jesus, and joyfully serve Him in love! One day, Jesus is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done. Indeed, we will hear that precious word again: “Come!” For the King will say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

Have a Blessed Day!

Power…

Power…

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the Gospel, by the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:6-8)

There is a power that we have been given by God … the power of His Holy Spirit! What Paul shared with Timothy, is the same power that Jesus promised His earliest disciples. He told them: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. (Acts 1:8-9)

From the context of both passages, we can readily discern the power we receive is given for a purpose … to be witnesses … to testify about the Lord Jesus Christ! Moreover, Paul indicates that we are empowered to “suffer for the Gospel.”  As Paul asserted to believers in Corinth: “The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power!” (1 Corinthians 4:20) Indeed, the Holy Spirit is given to activate us … to energize us for service and ministry … to advance the Kingdom of God! For these reasons, He gives us power, love, and self-discipline!

Notice the power we receive is not for our own use. When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases; and He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2) On another occasion, Jesus sent seventy-two others to evangelize. The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:1-3; 17-20)

My friends, the power we have been given through the Holy Spirit is solely to glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! And God has deemed us worthy of this calling! For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Indeed, God works in us to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13) Thus, it is through His power that we are able to serve Him….

Have a Blessed Day!

Redeemed…

Redeemed…

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:17-19)

Is there anything better for believers than the knowledge they have been redeemed? Do we truly understand redemption – the redeeming love of God in Christ? We have been redeemed from the wages of sin and death! We have been redeemed from the power of sin and its empty life! We have been released from the shackles of guilt and the chains of darkness! Indeed, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Let us understand the significance of the redemption He accomplished! “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” (Cf. Deuteronomy 21:22-23)He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promised Holy Spirit.” (Galatians 3:13-14) Yes, we who trusted in Jesus, after we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation; in Him, having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory! (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Let us understand the necessity of the redemption He accomplished! In Jesus we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God’s grace! (Ephesians 1:7) For God rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14) Indeed, we have been freely justified by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. So, let us not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we have been sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) Rather, let us praise the One who paid our debt and raised us from the dead!

My friends, do you understand what it means to be redeemed? If so, then by faith, wrap yourself in the white linen that is to be our everlasting garment and give Him all the glory! Yes! Let us worship Christ Jesus, who entered the Most Holy Place with His own blood, and obtained for us eternal redemption! (Hebrews 9:12)

Have a Blessed Day!

Slumber…

Slumber…

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— (Proverbs 6:10)

I find it interesting that a lazy person only asks for a little sleep … a little slumber. Perhaps he would be offended if he were accused of outright laziness. A little is all that is desired.  Perhaps he thinks “a little” is easier to conceal…. But let us see the outcome of “a little” over the span of time:

Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV)

Go to the ant, you lazy person; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 24:30-34 (NIV)

I went past the field of a lazy person, past the vineyard of someone who has no wisdom or discernment. Thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Charles Surgeon observed: “It is by little procrastinations that people ruin their souls! They have no intention of delaying for years. They hope that it will be more convenient for them to seek God in a few months. They will get around to serious matters tomorrow.” And little by little, time eludes their attention. Indeed, life is wasted in small amounts! Opportunities for grace to be encountered are often taken for granted. And in the end, that person comes to spiritual poverty because of a little sleep … a little slumber … along their journey of faith.

As poverty will come to the idle, so ruin will come to those who remain undecided about Jesus. Yes, death will come to the unrepentant; and the unbeliever will miss salvation! For as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment; so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, Jesus will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

My friends, there will come a solemn day when it will be too late to repent and believe. I urge you to do so today: because the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, and our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here! Therefore, put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of His light. (Romans 13:11-12)

Have a Blessed Day!

Fellowship…

Fellowship…

These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the Lord: (Leviticus 7:11)

Among the various types of offerings to be presented to the Lord, there is the fellowship offering which anyone may present to Him. (Cf. Leviticus 7:11-38) The people were instructed, “When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf.” (Leviticus 19:5) Indeed, there were many instructions regarding fellowship offerings written in the Mosaic ordinances. Their purpose was to offer thanksgiving to God and to rejoice in His presence! How timely is this word as we end another Thanksgiving Day…. 

Fellowship is what we experienced as a family during the Thanksgiving Holiday. There was a time of warm companionship … enjoying the closeness of each other. Around the dining room table, there were memories recalled and relived for a moment. There were bonds of love and joy shared in our hearts. Yes, it was a fellowship offering before the Lord as we rejoiced in Him with gratitude for all His blessings….

In Scripture, fellowship is the mark of community among believers. In the early church, they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) Believers are admonished to 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 10:24-25) And Jesus commanded: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

My friends, we were created for fellowship – fellowship with God and with each other! For love can only be expressed within the context of relationship. It has no meaning or purpose otherwise. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10) And Paul affirmed: “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

John envisioned that we might have fellowship with other believers and with the Father and His Son. (1 John 1:3) But John cautioned: “If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7) Indeed, let us be mindful of the sacredness of fellowship! Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

Have a Blessed Day!

Thanksgiving…

Thanksgiving…

With praise and thanksgiving, they sang to the Lord: “He is good; His love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. (Ezra 3:11)

After returning to Jerusalem from their captivity in Babylon, the foundation of a new temple was laid and there was a time of praise and thanksgiving among the people! I am reminded of how our faith is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20-22)

I marvel at how centuries before Christ, Isaiah prophesied: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. (Isaiah 28:16) He foresaw that Jesus, the stone the builders rejected, would become the cornerstone of a temple made without hands! Peter affirmed this as well: “As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Paul used this metaphor in his letter to the believers in Corinth:

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

Indeed, Jesus is the cornerstone and the head of His Church! He is the founder and the finisher of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2) Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and exalt Him with music and song! (Psalm 95:2) For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. (Nehemiah 12:46) Let us follow their footsteps! Let us praise His Name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving! (Psalm 69:30)

My friends, I pray you will have a time of remembrance and thanksgiving for all the ways God has blessed us! Yes, Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1) And, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Have a Blessed Day!

Grieve…

Grieve…

He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so, He became their Savior. In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy, He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet, they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. (Isaiah 63:8-10)

Our verse provides a woeful commentary on the unfaithfulness of God’s chosen people. Of His treasured possession, God said: “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me.”  God had wrought His salvation as He parted the Red Sea before their eyes.  He redeemed them from the slavery and oppression of Egypt. He carried them and provided for them through the wilderness journey. Yet, all the while, they rebelled against their Savior and Redeemer; and in doing so … grieved His Holy Spirit! Even after Jesus was sent from heaven to seek and to save the lost sheep of Israel (Cf. Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24; Luke 19:10), He grieved over the unwillingness of His own to recognize the presence of God in their midst. (Cf. Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)

To grieve is to suffer deep sorrow or feel great anguish or distress such as when a loved one dies. So, when we grieve someone, we afflict them with deep sadness, agony, heartache, and pain. This describes what Holy Spirit feels when a child of God transgresses the will of God or walks in willful rebellion.  Notice I said, a child of God … one who has been born of God.

John 1:10-13 (NKJV)

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

My friends, how unthinkable it is for the children of God, the Body of Christ, to grieve His Holy Spirit! We are children who should be true to Him! He redeemed us by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus … the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world! He has carried us in His unfailing love and mercy! Shall we continue to resist the will of our Savior – who called us to a holy life? O saints, “Do not quench the Spirit!” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) For we are commanded to love another just as Jesus loved us! (John 15:12) Indeed, it is in this context that Paul exhorts us: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the Day of Redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30) 

Have a Blessed Day!

Seek…

Seek…

Glory in His Holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. (1 Chronicles 16:10-11)

The Spirit declares: “Today is the day to seek the Lord while He may be found; to call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) And so my heart cries out: “You, O God, are my God; early will I seek You! My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1) “Those who know your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:10) “My heart says within me, ‘Seek His face!’ Yes, Lord, I will seek Your face today!” (Psalm 27:8) For You have said, “Blessed are those who keep Your statutes and seek You with all their heart!” (Psalm 119:2) Thus, Lord, “I seek you with all my heart; and do not let me stray from your commands.” (Psalm 119:10)

I believe we are called to always seek the face of the Lord Jesus! “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” (Psalm 14:2) Does He find us seeking Him? Thus says the Lord: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) Do you seek Him with your whole heart? Have we come to understand that the Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him – to those who seek Him? (Lamentations 3:25) This is what the Lord says to His people: “Seek me and live!” (Amos 5:4) Indeed, let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you, O Lord; let those who long for your salvation declare, “The Lord is great!” (Psalm 40:16)

My friends, it is my desire to encourage us in this matter of seeking God. Jesus taught us to seek God and His Kingdom first above all things:

Luke 12:29-30 (NKJV)

Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after; and your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things. Rather, seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

And Jesus has affirmed:

Luke 11:9-10 (NKJV)

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. (Psalm 27:4)

O saints, let us seek Him!

Have a Blessed Day!

Refuge…

Refuge…

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:1-2)

I have been under the weather with influenza this week; and a dear friend and prayer warrior shared a prayer that reminded me: “God is my refuge.” It was a timely word … a needed word … to encourage me as I walk through this valley. As I deal with the symptoms and malaise of this virus, I have found that my time of isolation has proven fruitful. I have taken time to meditate on what it means to have God as my refuge and my strength.  For indeed, He is a shield … a protective cover … for all who make their refuge in Him. (Psalm 18:30)

If you or someone you know are being oppressed by a spirit of infirmity, I encourage you to read these verses below and let them settle on your heart:

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. ~ Psalm 31:3-5

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. ~ Psalm 36:7-9

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. ~ Psalm 57:1


But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. ~ Psalm 59:16

My salvation and my honor depend on God Most-High; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. ~ Psalm 62:7-8

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most-High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ~ Psalm 91:1-2

My friends, let us take all of our infirmities in prayer before the Lord and His throne of grace.  Let us find our refuge in Him … our ever-present help in times of trouble. In the shadow of His wings, we will find mercy and strength for the day. Indeed, His love is unfailing, and He is the fountain of life for all who drink.

Have a Blessed Day!