Typically this time of year depresses me to no end. For whatever reason, this year, the quiet of this new season brings me peace. I need to be still. Slow down. Listen to what the Lord is trying to teach me in this hectic life.
I read the greatest quote yesterday. It was actually from Winnie the Pooh. "Sometimes the best way to get where you are going is to start without knowing where that is". Who knew a bear from my childhood could be so wise? We are all so busy rushing to and fro. Trying to reach our destinations. Monetary wealth. Academically gifted children. Staging the perfect home. Instagramming perfect pictures. Sculpting the perfect body. But is that our final destination?
The disciples had no idea where they were going with Jesus. He simply asked them to follow Him. I feel certain that those men wanted to know the end goal. The purpose. The rewards for their obedience. They knew their current lives and occupations were not fulfilling them. They met Jesus and dropped everything to follow Him.
Peter was a gruff fisherman who probably had foul language on occasion. Yet when He met Jesus he instantly knew that Jesus was the Messiah. He dropped his livelihood and all of it's belongings to follow Jesus. Peter was also married. He felt so compelled to follow the Lord that he left his beloved behind. And, yet, during the last days of Jesus life Peter denied Him. Even though he knew from the depths of his soul this man was his Savior.
I bet most of us are like Peter. I know I was. I have believed in Jesus my entire life. During my 20's and most of my 30's I denied Him. I still said I believed. Attended church. Worked on parish committees. But my agenda was about me. And only me. I was busy raising a family. Accumulating worldly treasures. Building our castle. My church attendance said I was a Christian. We openly talked about Jesus and taught Jesus to our young daughters. But our walk did not demonstrate that we were literal followers of Christ.
I recently read an article about the disciples and their lives. Fascinating. In the article the author gave direct and precise definitions of what an actual disciple is. What an Apostle is. A disciple is someone who follows Christ. An apostle is someone who sets forth into the world and proclaims the gospel of the Lord.
After we say "Yes" to following God that's only the beginning. He should stir something deep in our souls. A feeling so strong that we are called to go forth into the world proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord. An urge to tell everyone who this King is. He should consume us. We should feel like we are going to bust if we do not proclaim to the world that this Prince has rocked our world. Changed our lives.
One of the things I love about Christ is that He is our kindred Redeemer. He knew Peter was going to deny Him. He prophesied as such. Yet Jesus loved Him through all of his mistakes. Can you even imagine that kind of love? Peter spent the remainder of his life praising and preaching Jesus. When he was crucified he felt unworthy to die on the cross upright. So he was hung on the cross upside down to die!
I say that I have that kind of love for the One who saved me. But when it comes down to it could I be tortured for my faith? Could you? When I turn on the news it becomes increasingly clear to me that one day I may be put in that position. One day soon you may be in that predicament. It's not a far fetched statement in the least. Will you deny your birth right to the throne? Will you be willing to die for the King of the Most High just because you believe?
When we start out walking with Jesus most of us have no idea where we are going. Just like Pooh. But we certainly know where we have been. When the walk starts to require more of us? Even though we've said yes. Our salvation is secured. After seeing Christ for who He is? We often retreat back to the familiar. I, personally, do not believe that we have that luxury any longer.
What is your final destination? Will you proclaim to the bitter end that you are covered in the blood of Jesus Christ? You are the royal daughter/son of the Most High! Will you secure your rewards in heaven by going forth and proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord?
Or will you, like Peter, deny your Savior? Will Jesus love us if we falter? Absolutely! But as our country becomes more anti-semitic the climate towards Christianity is beginning to heat up. A country that was once founded on 'In God We Trust' is now trying to remove the foundation. The house will fall. We must know who we are in Christ. It is time to proclaim our spot in the Royal household.
I read the greatest quote yesterday. It was actually from Winnie the Pooh. "Sometimes the best way to get where you are going is to start without knowing where that is". Who knew a bear from my childhood could be so wise? We are all so busy rushing to and fro. Trying to reach our destinations. Monetary wealth. Academically gifted children. Staging the perfect home. Instagramming perfect pictures. Sculpting the perfect body. But is that our final destination?
The disciples had no idea where they were going with Jesus. He simply asked them to follow Him. I feel certain that those men wanted to know the end goal. The purpose. The rewards for their obedience. They knew their current lives and occupations were not fulfilling them. They met Jesus and dropped everything to follow Him.
Peter was a gruff fisherman who probably had foul language on occasion. Yet when He met Jesus he instantly knew that Jesus was the Messiah. He dropped his livelihood and all of it's belongings to follow Jesus. Peter was also married. He felt so compelled to follow the Lord that he left his beloved behind. And, yet, during the last days of Jesus life Peter denied Him. Even though he knew from the depths of his soul this man was his Savior.
I bet most of us are like Peter. I know I was. I have believed in Jesus my entire life. During my 20's and most of my 30's I denied Him. I still said I believed. Attended church. Worked on parish committees. But my agenda was about me. And only me. I was busy raising a family. Accumulating worldly treasures. Building our castle. My church attendance said I was a Christian. We openly talked about Jesus and taught Jesus to our young daughters. But our walk did not demonstrate that we were literal followers of Christ.
I recently read an article about the disciples and their lives. Fascinating. In the article the author gave direct and precise definitions of what an actual disciple is. What an Apostle is. A disciple is someone who follows Christ. An apostle is someone who sets forth into the world and proclaims the gospel of the Lord.
After we say "Yes" to following God that's only the beginning. He should stir something deep in our souls. A feeling so strong that we are called to go forth into the world proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord. An urge to tell everyone who this King is. He should consume us. We should feel like we are going to bust if we do not proclaim to the world that this Prince has rocked our world. Changed our lives.
One of the things I love about Christ is that He is our kindred Redeemer. He knew Peter was going to deny Him. He prophesied as such. Yet Jesus loved Him through all of his mistakes. Can you even imagine that kind of love? Peter spent the remainder of his life praising and preaching Jesus. When he was crucified he felt unworthy to die on the cross upright. So he was hung on the cross upside down to die!
I say that I have that kind of love for the One who saved me. But when it comes down to it could I be tortured for my faith? Could you? When I turn on the news it becomes increasingly clear to me that one day I may be put in that position. One day soon you may be in that predicament. It's not a far fetched statement in the least. Will you deny your birth right to the throne? Will you be willing to die for the King of the Most High just because you believe?
When we start out walking with Jesus most of us have no idea where we are going. Just like Pooh. But we certainly know where we have been. When the walk starts to require more of us? Even though we've said yes. Our salvation is secured. After seeing Christ for who He is? We often retreat back to the familiar. I, personally, do not believe that we have that luxury any longer.
What is your final destination? Will you proclaim to the bitter end that you are covered in the blood of Jesus Christ? You are the royal daughter/son of the Most High! Will you secure your rewards in heaven by going forth and proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord?
Or will you, like Peter, deny your Savior? Will Jesus love us if we falter? Absolutely! But as our country becomes more anti-semitic the climate towards Christianity is beginning to heat up. A country that was once founded on 'In God We Trust' is now trying to remove the foundation. The house will fall. We must know who we are in Christ. It is time to proclaim our spot in the Royal household.
"For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are
eternal"-2 Corinthians 4:18
eternal"-2 Corinthians 4:18
