Follow Me
By Margaret D. Mitchell
February 28, 2021
Jesus said, "Follow Me" (Matt 4:19, Matt 4:21; Matt 9:9; Mark 2:14; John 1:43).
It’s how He called His disciples, and it’s how He calls us into a life-flow of covenant blessing.
Jesus knows His believers as His sheep, who hear His voice and willingly accept His invitation (John 10:27).
2 Peter 1:3-4 TPT reminds us that "Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness."
Paul, Silas, and Timothy constantly prayed for the believing church in 2 Thessalonians 1:11 saying, "that our God will empower you to live worthy of all that he has invited you to experience" and "that by his power all the pleasures of goodness and all works inspired by faith would fill you completely."
As believers, we understand that covenant blessings are linked with the knowledge of and obedience to God’s goodness and glory.
Followers discover that Jesus is the Source of living water that never ends (John 4:13).
We can trust that the same water that flows underground, like a spring in our secret places and during wilderness times, will continue to flow without end in the new places of blessing our Lord is leading us into (Deut 11:11).
This is the same living water that flows to connect dots of understanding from one scripture to another, and the same living water that flows out of our bellies as we express His Words of faith, believing for what is to come, according to His plan (John 7:38).
In Luke 7:35 TPT, Jesus says, "…I say to you, the wisdom of God will be proven true by the expressions of godliness in everyone who follows me."
He describes His true followers as those who build wisely, saying in Luke 6:47-48 TPT, "Let me describe the one who truly follows me and does what I say. He is like a man who chooses the right place to build a house and then lays a deep and secure foundation. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it continues to stand strong and unshaken through the tempest, for it has been wisely built on the right foundation."
Believers understand that following Jesus’ spiritual laws produces maximum growth and fruit production throughout our lives, leading to a cumulative effect of a good end and lasting legacy.
Therefore, it is critical to yield to God’s will, make wise decisions and faithfully persevere from beginning to end. It is in this commitment to go where He leads and do the work at hand that we experience our best life on earth.
And rewards in Heaven (Heb 11:6).
This is where we experience His "marvelous grace" and a glorious life (2 Thes 1:12).
This is limitless living.
Even operating in mighty miracles as His power flowing through us.
In John 14:12 TPT, Jesus says, "I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!"
So, friends, are we willing to believe God at His Word and put action to our faith for what He has called and assigned us to do?
Are we wisely following Jesus, even in the seemingly small things now, knowing those small choices will lead to a big impact over time?
At the end of our lives on earth, will we end up with a good cumulative effect of our choices that will affect others, whose lives are closely connected with ours?
Since we will be judged by God’s truth, let’s choose beauty over ugly (1 Thes 5:15, 1 Thes 5:22, John 12:48).
Let’s choose to follow Jesus on the righteous path of true and everlasting life filled with a constant supply of holy joy that God longs for us to share with Him (1 Thes 5:16).
Let’s choose the lavish legacy of Ephesians 1:3 TPT, which says, "Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!"
So, friends, pray with me if you will…
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your plan for my life (1 Thes 5:18). I repent of following others above You. Help my unbelief. I invite You to get my life more on track with You as my sole Source of life. I invite You to uproot weeds of my soul that try to limit You as Love. "Lord, don’t allow me to make a mess of my life, for I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can" (Ps 119:31 TPT). Help me to trust You and take courage, knowing that You have Your very best for me as Your daughter, Your heir as You prove me worthy. "Place your hands of strength and favor upon me, for I’ve made my choice to follow your ways" (Ps 119:173 TPT). Help me to have a good journey and ending in my life on earth, as I commit to follow You all the way into eternity (John 13:36).
In Jesus’ Mighty Name.
Amen.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
Originally published Sunday, 28 February 2021.
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