Following Jesus

January 31st – Matthew 9:9

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

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?

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October 22nd – Mark 10:17

Mark 10:17

With Halloween soon approaching, the fascination with ghosts, vampires, and the undead is in full gear. And although we know those spooky things aren’t real, there is a way we can live forever. The Lord and  His disciples were headed to the area on the other side of the Jordan River from Judea. A young man who encountered the Lord, knelt before Him, asking how to obtain eternal life. But Jesus’ answer sends him away grieved. Because the Lord replied that the only way to live forever is to perfectly obey God’s commandments. But when the man says that he’s done that, Jesus says he’s still lacking one thing. To sell all of his worldly possessions, give them to the poor, and follow Him. But the man was unwilling. Was Jesus being unreasonable? Not at all! What He wanted the young man to see was that eternal life is not achieved by our own doing. It is a free gift of love that comes only from the mercy of God and the blood of Jesus Christ.

October 22nd – Mark 10:17 Read More »