Following Jesus

August 24th – Ephesians 4:1

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Ephesians 4:1

The pull of this world is strong. Every day, we’re surrounded by voices telling us how to think, what to value, and how to live. It’s easy to get caught up in the ways of the world without even realizing how far we’ve drifted from God.

But Paul gives us an example worth following. He could have continued living for himself, and persecuting the very people who followed Jesus. Instead, he encountered Christ. And everything changed. Paul chose Jesus, no matter the cost.

And the cost was great. He was beaten, imprisoned, rejected, persecuted, and ultimately gave his life for the Gospel. Yet Paul didn’t see following Jesus as a burden. He considered it a privilege to live a life worthy of the calling he had received. Why? Because he knew this life was temporary, but eternity with Christ was forever.

We need that same perspective today. The world may pull us in a thousand different directions, but our calling is higher. We were not saved to simply blend into the culture around us. We were saved to belong to Jesus and reflect Him in the way we live.

Living worthy of our calling doesn’t mean living perfectly. It means living intentionally. Choosing Christ when the world says choose yourself, choosing truth when the world embraces lies, and choosing holiness when the world celebrates compromise.

So let Paul’s life challenge us. What are we willing to surrender to follow Jesus? May we count it a privilege to live for Him no matter the cost. Because we know that whatever we give up here will never compare to what awaits us in His presence.

August 24th – Ephesians 4:1 Read More »

August 13th – Hebrews 12:3

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Hebrews 12:3

Following Jesus was never promised to be easy. In fact, Jesus warned us that the world would hate us because we belong to Him. And standing firm in our faith can mean being misunderstood, mocked, rejected, or even hated. That’s why following Jesus isn’t for the faint of heart. But when those moments come, Hebrews 12:3 tells us to “consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Think about what Jesus endured for us. He was mocked, ridiculed, spit upon, beaten, tortured, and ultimately nailed to a cross. He was innocent, yet He willingly endured the shame and suffering that should have been ours. Jesus could have called down angels to rescue Him, but He chose to stay. Why? Because He loved us. He endured it all so that we could have life.

So when following Jesus becomes difficult, remember who went before you. When you’re criticized for standing on God’s Word, remember Jesus. When you’re rejected because of your faith, remember Jesus. And when you feel weary from trying to live faithfully in a world that doesn’t understand, remember Jesus.

We don’t follow a Savior who asks us to endure something He was unwilling to endure Himself. He walked the road of suffering first, and He walks with us now.

So don’t lose heart. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep standing firm, and loving others, even when they don’t love you back. And remember that whatever this world may throw at us, it can never take away the eternal life Jesus purchased for us with His own precious blood.

August 13th – Hebrews 12:3 Read More »

June 4th – Luke 9:23

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Luke 9:23

When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t promise them an easy road. Instead, He invited them to follow Him, day by day, step by step. The same invitation is extended to us today. Walking with God isn’t a one-time decision, it’s a daily choice. Each morning we decide whether we will follow our own desires or trust God’s plan for our lives.

Some days that choice comes easily. Other days it means surrendering our worries, forgiving someone who hurt us, choosing obedience when it’s difficult, or trusting God when we don’t understand what He’s doing. Taking up our cross isn’t about carrying a burden God never intended for us to bear. It’s about laying down our own will and choosing His instead.

The beautiful thing is that Jesus never asks us to walk a path He hasn’t already walked Himself. He knows the challenges we face, the temptations we encounter, and the struggles we carry. Yet He promises to be with us every step of the way. As we continue to follow Him through both the joys and hardships of life, we discover that no sacrifice compares to the privilege of walking closely with our Savior.

June 4th – Luke 9:23 Read More »

June 3rd – John 10:27

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John 10:27

One of the most comforting things about belonging to Jesus is knowing that we are never left to walk through life alone. Our Shepherd still speaks to His people. He guides us through His Word, through prayer, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and through the quiet reminders of His presence in our daily lives.

But learning to recognize His voice takes time. In a world full of distractions, opinions, fears, and noise, it can be easy to miss the gentle leading of Jesus. That’s why spending time with Him matters so much. The closer we grow to Him, the more clearly we begin to recognize His voice above all the others competing for our attention.

But following Jesus isn’t only for the easy seasons of life. It’s one thing to follow Him when prayers are being answered and life feels joyful. It’s another thing to keep following when life is painful, confusing, or uncertain. Yet even in the hard seasons, our Shepherd never stops leading, loving, and caring for His sheep.

Sometimes He leads us beside still waters. Other times He walks with us through valleys we never expected to face. But through both the good times and the difficult ones, we can trust that the One leading us sees the bigger picture and knows exactly where He is taking us.

The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He never asks us to walk anywhere He won’t walk with us first. His voice brings peace, wisdom, comfort, conviction, and direction. And when we continue following Him day by day, even when we don’t fully understand the road ahead, we discover that our Shepherd is always faithful!


June 3rd – John 10:27 Read More »

June 1st – Matthew 4:19

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Matthew 4:19

One of my favorite childhood memories is fishing with my grandma. But there was one dreaded rule. if you wanted to fish, you had to bait your own hook. Oh how I hated reaching into that bait cup, picking up a slimy, wiggling worm, and threading it onto the hook. It was messy, uncomfortable, and definitely not my favorite part of the experience. But I loved my grandma, and spending time with her made it worth it.

Following Jesus can be a lot like that. Sometimes He calls us to do things that stretch us, challenge us, or take us outside our comfort zones. He may ask us to forgive when we’d rather hold a grudge, trust when we’d rather worry, or obey when we’d rather take the easier path. We don’t always enjoy what He asks of us in the moment, but His requests are never without purpose. Every step of obedience draws us closer to Him, shapes us more into His image, and deepens our relationship with the Savior we love.

When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” He wasn’t simply giving an invitation. He was inviting us into a life changing journey with Him. And in the end, being close to our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, is worth far more than any discomfort we experience along the way.

June 1st – Matthew 4:19 Read More »

January 25th – Matthew 10:34

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Matthew 10:34

It can be a lonely road when we set out to change our lives and grow closer to the Lord. Because really following Jesus can mean division within our closest relationships, and even losing people from our lives. And while the process can be deeply painful, we can comfort in knowing the Lord understands. For He too was rejected, abandoned, and hurt by those He loved. But when we embrace His path, we gain a deeper connection with God and a community of fellow believers who support and uplift us along the way. Our pursuit of Christlikeness, though accompanied by loss, is part of a higher calling that aligns us with the very heart of our Savior. The pain is a testament to the depth of our commitment to Christ, and in the midst of such trials, His comforting presence sustains us. Because in Jesus we find understanding, empathy, and a divine purpose that transcends earthly relationships. And what God offers is far greater than anything or anyone we lose.

January 25th – Matthew 10:34 Read More »

May 14th – Colossians 3:10

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Colossians 3:10

Author Robin Lee Hatcher said, “Following Christ is a lifelong journey. Christians are foot soldiers, so to speak. Always learning. Always growing stronger.” When we first receive Jesus as our Savior, we are born again babes in Christ feeding on milk. But we aren’t to be content in staying that way. Like children who grow and move on to solid food, we too need to move to the meat of God’s Word and truth. The Lord calls us to continually grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Him. This involves moving beyond the basic teachings of the faith. And purposefully growing a deeper understanding of who God is, His word, and His will for our lives. For such growth leads to transformation. A transformation of becoming less like us and more like Jesus. One that involves a change in our character, attitudes, and behavior, as we become more loving, kind, and compassionate, like our Creator.

May 14th – Colossians 3:10 Read More »

February 25th – John 8:12

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John 8:12

Following Jesus means no longer do we walk a path of darkness. Nor do we live for ourselves and the world. Instead all we do is for the Lord and to walk in His brilliant light. And part of walking in God’s light is letting Him shine brilliantly through us to others. We do this by practicing love, humility, mercy, and forgiveness. John had a joyful relationship with the Lord. A joy made complete by leading others to having the same kind of relationship with Jesus. We too can have joy with the Lord by leading others to the Light of the world. And how could we not? For once we experience God’s grace and love, our hearts burst to tell others about the Lord! This world grows darker every day. And now more than ever, people need to hear how they can flee the darkness and receive the Light of life. A Light that will never grow dim, nor ever be extinguished!

February 25th – John 8:12 Read More »

January 31st – Matthew 9:9

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Matthew 9:9

Each of the men Jesus called to be disciples, never once hesitated to follow Him. They didn’t take time to try and clean up their lives. They didn’t take time to wean themselves off the trappings of the world. And they didn’t take time to let go of the people and things of the past for a new and better future. Jesus met them and wanted them right where they were, and in a leap of faith, they answered His call straight away and began a life dedicated to the Lord. Just as He called the disciples, Jesus also calls each of us. “Follow Me!”, cries the Lord. “Follow Me and I’ll give you heavenly riches greater than the world could ever offer. Follow Me and let My love fill your hearts with a peace and joy that can never be shaken. Follow Me and I’ll give You eternal life purchased with My own precious blood. Follow Me, and help save the world!”

January 31st – Matthew 9:9 Read More »

February 18th – Matthew 4:19

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Matthew 4:19 

To be chosen by Jesus as one of His very own is a gift beyond reckoning. And it’s also a gift that requires sacrifice. Because we can’t follow the Lord and follow the world. Following Jesus means laying down all we knew before, giving up our old, sinful, earthly ways, for a better way of life. But sadly for some, this is asking too much. They would rather cling to the world and its desires then to Jesus. The Jews of old sacrificed much to follow the Lord. They were despised and shunned. They lost their friends, loved ones, way of life, and even their lives. But it was a small price in light of the great price Jesus paid to offer us everlasting life. Jesus calls to each of us, “Follow Me!” Will you answer His call? Can you leave behind the world to become one of His beloved disciples?

February 18th – Matthew 4:19 Read More »