Liv
Extracts of Truth & Encouragement from a Growth Journey with God
Follow the Leader
This morning looked a LOT different than I’d envisioned!! What I thought would be restful and peaceful turned into a morning of interruptions, attitude, and conflict. Been there? In the quiet of the bathroom (while not the most glamorous of spots, the LORD talks to me a LOT in there, where I’m alone), I was confronted with the truth that others were not the only ones in the wrong; I had returned evil for evil. Yup! A sock to the gut! Before much time had passed, I was apologizing (both to the LORD and another) for the way I’d reacted. It wasn’t a purposeful reply or response, but was exactly that–a reaction.
Then comes another attack…Does the devil ever put thoughts in your head…the ones about your faults or mess-ups; wondering how you can lead anyone, given the state of your heart…or home…on any given day? Well, contrary to what he wants us to focus on (our inabilities or infractions), God reminded me this morning that He works through those who follow Him. Sometimes, following Him well is us in the bathroom, having a heart to heart with Him, listening to Truth when He reveals it to us, and acting on it with repentance. Apologizing for behaviors that oppose the way God wants us to live IS leading, because it’s choosing to make an about face from our way to following hard after Him, and it doesn’t take long for others to see this.
When we choose to follow Christ well, we’ll find ourselves leading well, despite whatever the devil tries to get us to buy. Following is really what being a disciple of Christ is:
- Learning from the One Who has all knowledge and wisdom
- Supporting Him as the Messiah as well as in His ideas/truths and adhering to them
- Pursuing Him
Although “disciple” is a noun, it requires ACTION!
- To learn, we must listen, read, communicate (i.e., ask questions), and think on what we’re learning.
- By supporting Him, we assist Him in His Kingdom work. When we walk in His ways and align ourselves with Him and His purpose, we open ourselves up to being used by Him. We let Him act through us, showing His power and fruit, and strongly refuse to let ourselves and our interests run the show. Think of adhering as like glue; it’s an adhesive. When we adhere to Christ, we are sticking to Him, staying close to Him, serving Him in the way He wants us to with the intention of becoming more like Him.
- Pursuing Him involves following hard after Him to learn and resemble Him more and more.
So, if you thought being a disciple was a stagnant position, you’re sorely mistaken. Get your walking shoes on!! You’re in for a journey!
“Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119:133 NIV
“Go after LORD JEHOVAH your God and stand in awe of Him. Keep His commandments and listen to Him. Serve Him and cling to Him.”
Deuteronomy 13:4 ABPE
‘”So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”
John 8:31 AB and 32 GNT
“Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples and said to them, ‘If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].'”
Mark 8:34 AB
“For you are called to this, for even The Messiah died for our sake and left us this example, that you would walk in His steps.”
1 Peter 2:21 ABPE
“I’ll place My Spirit within you, empowering you to live according to My regulations and to keep My just decrees.”
Ezekiel 36:27 ISV
God has given us, as believers in Christ, His Spirit inside of us as the seat of thought and emotion. He resides in that part of us to guide and support our feelings and thinking. Will we let Him?…I didn’t yield, at first, this morning when I reacted. I drove right into “traffic” without looking, which is a “great” way to cause an “accident!”
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘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 NIV
How is your “driving” today…so far this week? Are you yielding, being careful to follow where He is moving you…to follow His prescription for life (His Son, Who IS Life!), or are you following your own path and pushing yourself out into traffic without much of a look or thought?
Let the Spirit of God guide your thinking in this…By yielding to and following Christ, we lead others to do so, as well…no matter what lies Satan says to hold you back.
“Jesus said to them, “Come, follow Me! I will teach you how to catch people, instead of fish.”
Matthew 4:19 GWT
What is something God is teaching YOU, as YOU pursue Him?
2 Comments on “Follow the Leader”
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Liv 
Your words and the visuals you have used (glue and yield signs) have impacted me, and I thank you for your obedience to sharing what He puts in front of you!
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Thank you so much for that encouragement! I’m glad He used what He gave me and what stuck with me, too (pun not originally intended), to give you a different visual. Thank you, LORD, for continuing to use me, through my sins and learning! Please keep teaching me!!
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