Author: worrylessjourney

Follow Jesus

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The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.                  Nelson Henderson

God does not just expect us to do things that help right now but also things that will help those to come. The most important of these is to live as he lived. In this way we will draw people to him. To preach is good, to talk about Christ is good and those things help ……but if we live like him no explanations are necessary. Our actions will show his love.

follow jesus

 

Jesus you call us to follow you in all that we do. Help us to do this so that others will also follow you. AMEN

Follow

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come follow

Today I was moved again by music. I have included the first verse and refrain.

Lord, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones.
You only asked me to follow humbly.

Refrain
O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,
kindly smiling, have spoken my name.
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.

Cesáreo Gabarian

It is such a simple request. “You only asked me to follow humbly.” In the song the response is to leave the boat and job behind and simply follow. Can we do this?

Caring Lord, to follow is all you ask of us. Why is it so hard for us to follow? Help us. AMEN

Faith is a verb

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Faith is not a noun.                                 Suzanne Boyd

Too often we put ourselves down for not having enough faith. We think it is something that we “have.” Faith is reaching out each moment no matter how we feel. It is a word that calls us to action. Faith is a verb. We have to use it. We have to step out in faith no matter how we feel. Feelings get in the way. Choose to ACT in faith.

faith can move mountains

Gracious Lord, help us to take action for you each and every day. AMEN

No judging

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be kindWe are so quick to make judgements. We can decide in one moment about a person and be completely wrong. Indian lore talks about walking a mile in someones shoes. Many times I have known someone for quite a while and had no idea of the tragedies in their life. We have to let go of judging. God knows the whole story and will judge. It’s not our job.

Loving God, you know how we put people into categories and make judgements. Help us to see others with compassion and love.

Here I am Lord

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Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord. If you need me. I will hold your people in my heart. Dan Schutte

I love this hymn. It is one of my favorites and always speaks to me. When I sing the words I can feel God calling me to do his will. Do you have a hymn or song that pulls you into the presence of God? If you do sing it often. Let the words open your heart to answer God’s call. He is calling you and me. Will we answer?

god calling

God you call us in many different ways. Help us to heed your voice and follow. AMEN

Go – Serve

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Matthew 28:19 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
discples
We are not called to sit at home and read the Bible. We are called to go out and tell about Christ. Sometimes the best way to do that is in our behavior. If our love for others makes someone ask why we act that way then we are doing the right thing.
service 3discples

And it was good

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“People of faith do not gt much help in thinking of their ordinary, physical lives as being particularly sacred.”     Barbara Brown Taylor

creationgood

Do you think of yourself as being sacred? I don’t know that I ever have. The truth is we are! God created us in his own image. We are a part of the whole creation and every part of it is sacred. Each day of creation we hear the words “and it was good.” God was clear about that. Everything in creation is sacred including us. Now we just have to believe it and live it out.

God of creation, you made us in your image and said “it is good.” All that you created is sacred. Help us to live as sacred people.

 

Send me?

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Whom shall I send? Is it I Lord?                           from the hymn Here I am Lord

Sometimes we are brave enough to actually ask God to send us. When we do we don’t know what might happen. It is certainly possible that he will call on us to do something that surprises us. I may be something that we never expected and might not really want to do. Are you strong enough to say: send me?

We are not really sure that we want to answer God’s call. We may not be ready to do it. Lord let us not be afraid to ask and answer.

hee I am lord

Are we holy?

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“Holy” has the same root as “wholly”: it means complete. A man is not complete in spiritual stature if all his mind, heart, soul, strength are not given to God.                  R. J. H. Stewart

holyWe seldom think about what we give to God. Are we willing to let go of our whole person to God? This quote doesn’t mention body but I think it is contained in “strength.” We have to surrender everything. How do we do that? By letting go of small pieces at a time. Give up what you can each day and every day.

We are so caught up in ourselves that we can’t step outside. In order to be holy and whole we have to give everything. Loving God help us.

Learn and grow

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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.       Proverbs 1:7

We can’t ever stop learning. God gave us our brains for a reason. By learning we grow. Don’t be afraid to study and learn new ideas and new thoughts. There is so much that we can learn and never grow close to knowing all about God. His wisdom is so far above ours.

live learn

Jesus, we learn so much from your teaching. Help us to continue to seek knowledge and growth that we may draw closer to you. AMEN