Who Is Leading You?

"If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.  If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor (or, 'value at a price')." (John 12:26, from yesterday's Gospel reading)

Most people want Jesus to follow them wherever they go, to work, school, shopping, mission trips, church activities, etc.  The Theology of the Bible is that you and I are called to, "....follow the Lamb wherever He goes."

Our text is the verse which sealed the decision to live in Berlin for a year.  Now understand the theology here.  Of course, as Psalm 139 says, the Blessed Trinity is everywhere, and mankind cannot escape Him, though it is to humanity's undoing that anyone would try.  It came to me, however, when I read our text in the summer of '98, "For me, Jesus is going to Berlin."  And, as a result, "If you, Woody, serve Me, you will follow Me to Berlin."  This is a life principle, yea, a Biblical Principle for us all, whether in "full-time" work or not.  The Theology of our text applies to vocations, choice of schools, mates, etc. 

Following is not what the flesh desires.  Even the most timid among us want to "lead," lead life to wherever we want to take it, lead God to where we want "to go in life."  How has that worked?  I have said and written it before, but the "revelation" which came to me many years ago still applies here.  I have been to many "leaders' conferences;" I have yet to go to a "followers conference."  Yet it is in the, "....follow Me", life style and mentality where we find peace, true contentment.  Jesus never intended you and me to find peace and contentment in leading.  "The Lord (Jesus)...leads me beside the still and quiet waters....He leads me in the paths of righteousness."  You and I cannot lead ourselves nor anyone else there. 

Another key in our text is, "If anyone serves Me...."  Ah, and here we have it, my friend.  Whom are we serving?  Serving Jesus requires following Jesus; serving myself requires following me.  In my "right mind," I do not want the latter.  Serving myself will find me, "there will I be------ alone."  I highly commend a daily "following check."  Make sure who is "out front," I or, "The Lord...Our Shepherd...."  All of the Biblical Promises are to followers, not leaders.  When Jesus is in fact leading you and me, it is then we can confidently know His, "....joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I readily confess to my too much attempting to lead in my life.  Holy
Spirit, keep me ever mindful of, "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me...."  Amen.
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* Read: "Nazis in the Bundestag?"-- jhs58.blogspot.com
* Please pray for my time in DC, September 27 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....For Your Sakes I Was Not There...."

"Then Jesus said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe....'"  (John 11: 14-15b)

Jesus, "....told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.'"  The Church really needs to get better at, "....said to them plainly...."  Too many times religious people use worn out religious cliches which really do not speak of Biblical Principles, "plainly."  I love the, "plainly," of the Bible. 

But then after it is said that, "....Jesus said to them plainly," He went on to say something which was probably perplexing to those who were hearing this for the first time,"....and for your sakes I am glad I was not there...."  You have been "there," haven't you?  Those times or seasons when it seemed as though Jesus, "....was not there...."  In our text, however, we see a reason for such times.  Such times or season are, "....so that you may believe."  We must always keep in mind that whatever the Godhead is doing in our lives, the purpose always involves, "....for your sakes...so that you may believe." NIV) 

My friend, there may be times when it seems as though Jesus is, "....not there...."  Regardless of all this may mean, Our Father always has a, "....and for your sakes," purpose.  There are many times in the Scriptures where we read of God "leaving" people.  Whether or not it is what someone once called, "withdrawing the consciousness of His Presence," or something else, I cannot say.  But please always remember that in such times there is always the central Biblical principle, "God is a very present help....for your sakes...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am so thankful for your, "....and for your sakes...."  Amen.  
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Read a most insightful article at:  jhs58.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Too Wearisome" Or Too Wonderful, Which Do We Choose?

"But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." (Psalm 73:16, 17-- ESV)

The Amplified says, "....it was too great an effort for me and too painful...."  When people attempt to figure out, or, "....how to understand..," life's mysteries, it is indeed, "....a wearisome task...";  Therefore, the conclusion of the matter is: Don't!

The 1599 Geneva Bible's footnote says, "Until I entered into Thy school and learned by Thy Word and Holy Spirit, that Thou orderest all things most wisely and justly."  What a tremendous exhortation by 1599 Followers of Jesus.  The, "peace which passes understanding," can only be ours when we accept this "footnote."  It is only when I get "out of myself" and "into Thy School," that I can learn and "discern."  But even then, can we agree that we will never, "understand this," at least the way most want to "understand."  Maybe here is a good time to remind ourselves, "Be still, and know that I am God."

What a marvelous time I had this morning as our Lord Jesus, "....cleanse[d me] with the washing of water by the Word,.." in my Psalms reading and listening.  It was the opposite of, "....too great an effort for me...."  How absolutely refreshing and pleasant.  Some people call it "quiet time," but no matter.  It is time "apart" from the, "cares of this life,.." and enjoying the same as our Lord Jesus says, "I have desired to eat this Passover with you."  But it is more.  The desire of the Living Triune God is moment by moment refreshing, moment by moment fellowship, right now, no matter what you have been doing and will do, Jesus, "ever-present help...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the, "times of refreshing," this morning------- and now--------and always.  Amen.
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Prayers for the following, greatly appreciated:
* I will be preaching in two different Church gatherings, October 1 & 8.
* In a couple of weeks, I will be sending our final payment for our Berlin flat.
* I will be in DC on September 27.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Right There We Rejoiced"

"He turned the sea into dry land so they could cross the river on foot.  Right there we rejoiced in Him!" (Psalm 66:6, CEB)

"....Right there we rejoiced...!"  I need more, "Right there...," in me.

Have you ever noticed that most of the thanksgiving, praise, worship, shouting, dancing is after the "answer?"  We all watch as we are praying for someone, wait to hear of someone's salvation, safe return, etc.  When they are healed, when they are saved, when someone arrives home safely, then the clapping, the rejoicing begins.  If not,............  Our text tells us something of a Kingdom Principle.  Let the rejoicing begin before, "Right there...."

Are you in a "depths" today?  If not, you probably have been, and, if history shows us anything, there is no guarantee that we may not again have to, "....cross[] through the river on foot."  But even now, you and I can rejoice in Jesus.  All His promises are, you know it, "Yes and Amen."  The song writer put it this way: "Jesus Never Fails," never fails in His promises, never fails, period.  The problem with far too many of us is that we look at how things don't seem to work out and then have some reservations on the, "....never fails," part.

Some of us "old timers" in the Renewal remember a book by a World War 2 Vet, Merlin Carothers, From Prison to Praise.  One reviewer said that "this is not about a prison with bars, but about a prison of circumstances."  In essence, the book is about praising our way out of depression, "unanswered prayers," defeatism, etc.  In other words, praise should be the life style of the Follower of Jesus before the "answers," not just after.  Praise our Lord Jesus now, give thanks now, not just "on the other side," but in the midst of the "sea," whatever that may be in our lives.

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive my tendency to praise "after."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2