by David Brenneman
"The Holy Spirit . . will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
JOHN 14:26
Many of us have heard the expression Follow Jesus" all of our
lives. But what does it really mean? There are people who think they`re pursuing Him when they agree to a morally Christian lifestyle. But if your idea of seeking after the Savior is merely going to church, listening the Bible when the pastor reads it, giving money, and saying some prayers, you are missing the mark.
When Jesus was about to be crucified, He explained to the
disciples that they would be able to follow Him just as closely after He was resurrected as they did when He walked the earth with them. How? Through the presence of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit would give them direction so that they wouldn't be left to do their own thing. The same applies to us. In following Jesus, we don't have to figure out what to do or how to carry out His will-He shows us.
Because Christ no longer physically walks the earth, we must
develop a keen sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Once we learn how to listen to Him and obey faithfully, we need never doubt how Jesus wants us to follow Him.
Jesus, make me sensitive to Your Holy Spirit so I may always
follow You. Amen.
- Trusting God with Today. Dr. Charles Stanley.
There's more for your life than you can possibly imagine. More than you honestly could ask or think as well because it's beyond your comprehension. Certainly is beyond mine.
The many many times and ways my life has taken different direction from what I was both wanting or expecting is beyond measure. Even yesterday there was an incident with my truck. I wasn't letting it both me during my work day. I got out and verified a few things and plans began forming that weren't there before. My God knew this was going to happen on that particular July 29th of 2026, even though I did not. A short conversation with my brother later and a ballpark idea of cost was in my head. A while later on the phone with my Mother telling her all this and a second call was coming in. A side job opportunity that God sent to help pay for what was coming.
For sure God doesn't have problems only situations. For sure trusting in Him and walking in His ways to the best of our abilities enables us to see the fingerprints of God in our lives.
But you have to be doing your best to follow Jesus daily. Keeping your heart right before Him. This isn't some part-time job this is a lifestyle that's meant to change you into the kind of servant of God that brings honor and glory to Him.
Your life in Christ isn't at all about you gaining wealth and happiness or even prosperity. Might not even be health. He meets you where you are at and works from there for your good and His glory.
But know this...in reading those letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation...being lukewarm about your dedication and your commitment will not go well for you at all.
Make the time, give up what you have to, in order to be living life that shows yourself and others that you really are a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
There's so much more that He's willing to do through those who are fully devoted, fully committed, to the life that He's planned for them.
Obeying God and leaving all the consequences to Him. Another Life Principle of Charles Stanley.
This a big one. We may think we're being good stewards of what He's given us but sometimes we get in the way of God by doing so. We may think of how little we will have left or be thinking of how it was a waste from our vantage point in the past...but honestly the risk is with the Lord. Not with us.
Following Jesus isn't like following various influential people in the world. None of them have the power of the resurrection behind them. None of them has omniscience or omnipresence. None of them has perfect wisdom and knowledge of all potential possibilities and their outcomes.
I had noted all the times various kings took from the treasuries of the Lord and gave to this king or that king in order to turn them away from Jerusalem. They never prayed they just took what was valuable that wasn't theirs to give. Doing life their way rather than to ask the Lord.
We often try to follow Jesus the same way. We often don't come to Him with our situations and dive in trying to do it ourselves. This isn't being a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
We need to rethink our priorities.
First is obedience to God's Word.
Second is in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Third is to trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
This may or may not include you picking up a shovel and doing some work yourself.
Take a few steps back and observe the lessons that Jesus was teaching His Disciples about following Him. Look at their conclusions, look at their confusion. Look at yourself when you look at them. Read all 4 Gospels when you do.
Oh there is so much more for us to experience in Christ when we follow Him as He leads the way.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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