Jesus is walking along the seashore of Galilee.  He comes across two fishermen casting their nets.  Two words that HE uses that changes lives, “Follow me.”  Then in the same breathe HE states what they will do, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

 

Two of the most powerful words in the New Testament, “Follow ME.’   Notice what HE said.  He said to follow only him, no preacher, no theology, no version of the Bible, no church, no group, no 12 step program, only HIM.  WOW!!! What a claim Jesus is making.  HE is stating that all of life is found in HIM, HIS WORDS, HIS ACTIONS, HIS EXAMPLE.  Then in the next three years HE proves HIS claim to be true.

 

Yet notice the other words.  These words have purpose, “I will make you fishers of men.”  What will you do as you follow Jesus?  Simple.  Bring people to Jesus.  You will throw the Gospel out and catch men and women who respond.  That is one’s who purpose of following Jesus.  He did not say anything about the HOLY SPIRIT, worship, songs, ministry programs, HE said, that we will fish for men.  Simple.

Who will you follow?  What will you do?  Who will you bring to the Kingdom today?  Think about it.

Every new event in life has a beginning.  Every new chapter has a starting point.  Whether it is a marriage, birth of a child, new job, change in address, there is a starting point.

 

Jesus comes on the scene.  His first words are the building blocks of HIS entire ministry.  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Short.  Straight to the point.  Simple.  Hard hitting. That is the message of Jesus Christ.

 

In all of life, Jesus made things simple.  So simple that is complicated to us.  Yet, we thrive in simplicity.  Growth comes from the simple things of life, such as a loving touch during a difficult time, kind word, a meal delivered, a hug, a friend who sits beside you silently, someone who just loves you as you are. 

 

This day keep it simple.  Enjoy the love that God has given you.  Don’t complicate it with what you have to do, but just enjoy HIS love and presence.  Enjoy a breathe.  Savor it.  Enjoy the touch of a friend, lover, spouse. Hold on to it.  There is so much this day God will give you, enjoy it.  You will notice that is the simple that will bring you joy.

For so many years I have listened to the advice of people who have operated under their own experience, expectations, ideas.  Thinking the whole time that they were right.  After all they are older, wiser, smarter, right?  Yet, there was something missing in this whole scenario, Scripture.  They had great words of advice.  Years of wisdom.  No God’s Word.

 

Jesus is in the desert for 40 days.  No food. No water.  At the end comes Satan.  He is there to break Jesus.  He offers what is really not his to offer.  Jesus knows this.  Yet, the response Jesus gives Satan for all three temptations, is Scripture.  He quotes Scripture.  Satan leaves defeated.

 

Yesterday, I sat down with a beautiful lady and for an hour, we read Scripture.  It was awesome.  We read promises that God made.  Scriptures that carried us through difficult times, good times, promises, healing.  God’s Word will never return void and yesterday proved that to me again.  Thank you, Beloved.  It came at the right time.

 

To combat the problems of life, God’s Word.  To battle depression, anxiety, addiction, bitterness, loneliness, failure, defeat….. .God’s Word.  Do not rely on others or even yourself.  God’s Word will always have the answer.  God’s Word will always bring victory, life, always.  Think about it.

Several years ago, a Eco dome was built in Arizona.  It was full of tress, grass, shrubs, small animals, vegetation, and of course humans.  After two years something interesting happened: trees started falling down.  This baffled the scientist for a while, until a small child of one of the scientist asked this question, “Where are the tree roots, Daddy?”  They discovered since there was no wind, the trees did not grow roots.  With no roots, the trees could not stand.

 

The Holy Spirit leads us into difficult times, not to hurt us, but to drive the root system of our lives deeper into Jesus.  The deeper the root system, our life in Christ, the more we can stand against the winds of this life.  The more we rely upon Christ.  The more HE holds us.

 

Jesus went into the desert to be tested.  That testing is an example for us.  That there will be tough times, difficult times, but if we are rooted in Christ, we will stand.   We will not fall.  We will in fact, grow. 

 

As you go through this day, focus on Jesus and HIM alone.  Drive yourself deeper into HIS Word, HIS teachings.  What will amaze you Beloved is that you will find you will be able to withstand the trials of life because of your life in CHRIST. 

When people give their lives to Christ , there is this perception that all will be well.  They will have a great marriage, great job, awesome house, fantastic children, everything will be rosy.   Satan will not touch them.  Then, it happens.  That one event, what ever it might be comes along, and everything falls apart.  Pain sets in.  Hurt.  Anger. Bitterness.  Confession.  Loneliness.  Helplessness.  You understand.

Then, silently, that person walks away from Christ.

 

When Jesus was baptized, HE was immediately taken to the desert by the Holy Spirit.  HE would then be tested by Satan.  After fasting for 40 days, Jesus in a weakened physical position, took the temptations of Satan.  For some reason, we think that since we have Jesus, Satan would not attack us.  That is a lie.  If he attacked Jesus, he will attack us.  He will attack us in our weakest moment.  He will attack.

 

So many Christians are leaving the faith because they fail to realize that Satan will attack them.  They will have difficult times, because of Satan’s attacks.  Relationships will fall apart, marriages will fail, jobs will be lost, children will go different paths, all because of the attacks of Satan.  Do not be deceived.  Satan will attack.

 

Jesus’s response to Satan’s attacks–GOD’S WORD.  He quoted Scripture to Satan, who did not argue.   God’s Word is the answer to all of life’s issues, Beloved.  Sometimes we forget that, but it is one fact of life that can not be disputed.  Have a great day..

When I was baptized at the age of 9, my father who baptized me, made a statement after I came out of the water.  “We are in for some rough times.”  I asked him what he met.  His response, “You will ask the questions, no one wants to answer.”  He was right.  I have.   I still am.   Why do we have church buildings?  Why spend millions on buildings that sit empty most of the week when we can help the poor, fix or build homes, help the sick?  Why do we argue over what Scripture is so point blank about?

 

Jesus goes to John to be baptized.  Does he need baptism?  No.  So why do it?  He sit an example that he for HIS followers.  He wanted them to be baptized (submerged).  Later we would understand the importance, but HE set the example.  Isn’t sad that we fight over whether or not to be baptized, when the LORD set the example for us to follow.  I was baptized for two reasons.  The first, Jesus was.  I follow Jesus.  Second, for the forgiveness of my sins and to receive the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2:38),   By the way, the HOLY SPIRIT descended upon Jesus after HE came out of the water.  True for us today.

 

I hope that everyone has a great day, Beloved.  Follow Jesus, not man.  Jesus is always right.

 

 

We are use to knock offs, such as clothing, jewelry, furniture, handbags, shoes……you get the idea.  We use them all the time.  They are cheap, inexpensive, and easy to get.  Knock offs also require no commitment, no maintenance, and easy to return.   This knock off mentality is also found in relationships, jobs, and even in religion. 

 

John the Baptist comes on the scene to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.  He is the real deal, Beloved. He is a man on a mission.  The words he speaks are true, God breathed, meaningful.  The “religious” leaders come on the scene and he immediately calls them out.  He brings their knock off mentality out in the light for all to see.  They are fake.  It is all about them, their feelings, their security, their pocketbooks, power.  John was about fulfilling God’s purpose.

 

There are a lot of fake “christians” in the world today.  Let’s call a spade a spade.  They are in the “business” for money, power, recognition, and fame.  They care little of souls, truth, righteousness, or Christ.  They talk about Christ.  They sing songs to Christ, but to live Christ……………..that is different.

 

To live the life of Christ, is to sacrifice.  To live the life of Christ is not about flashy things, fame, fortune, or even power.  It is about service, washing feet, damp wash rag across a person forehead, praying with a person in jail, feeding the hungry, it is about being real.

There is always someones who prepares for an event.  It might be a wedding planner, event coordinator, or manager.  John the Baptist, was that for Jesus.  Matthew presents him as the one preparing the way for Jesus.  He cites Isaiah 40:3 to emphasize his point. 

 

John came with one message: the Messiah is coming.  Get ready.  Simple message.  Simple man. Great impact.  Not a simple job.  Not easy at times.  Not fun.  Yet, very rewarding.

 

There are times in your life, you will be a John the Baptist.  You will lay the groundwork for the Messiah to come into a persons life.  It will be tough.  It might or might not be easy.  Lay it, I hope you will. 

 

Today, watch.  Maybe this day you are laying the ground work for the Messiah to come into a person’s life.  Maybe you are laying the groundwork for healing.  Listen, to the message that God gives you today, Beloved.  See what happens. 

I love to travel, see new things, new places, new people.  Creation is so amazing.  In Matthew 2, the wise men travel to see Jesus.  Then they travel home.  Herod, knowing that he was betrayed by the wise men, sends a battalion to Bethlehem to kill all male children under 2 years of age.  Before they arrive, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus leave for Egypt.  All of these traveling events, fulfilled Old Testament Scriptures.

 

New parents do not want to travel, I have noticed.  A new lifestyle is beginning with this new child, so is a new routine.  Do not change the routine.  Right ladies.  Baby and mamma comes first.  In this case, there was no choice.  The couple had to go to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution.  Herod would not go into Egypt because he was afraid of Cleopatra who was close to Mark Anthony a powerful man in the Roman government (politics, even then).

 

After Herod dies, the couple with Jesus travel back but they go to Nazareth again fulfilling Scripture.  A lot of traveling in a time frame of five years.  But notice, that all that traveling fulfilled OT prophecy.  Showing the Jewish reader that this baby is the Messiah.

 

Life is a highway that we travel.  Sometimes a dirt road, sometimes an interstate, but it is a journey.  Every act, every fork, every turn is directed by God.  If we would just stop and look, we would notice HIS hand in our lives as we follow HIM, Beloved.

 

This day look for the guidance of Jesus as you travel this road of life.

Matthew writes a gospel of Jesus Christ.  Why?  The answer to this is simple.  He wrote to his family, the Jews, to tell them that Jesus Christ is the Messiah they was prophesied.  Matthew quotes more OT Scripture than the other gospels.  He quotes Jesus several times stating that HE came to fulfill the law and the prophets.  Matthew wants the Jews to accept HIM as the Messiah.  Everything that he wrote points to the this fact.

 

OK.  Cool right, Beloved?  When we understand why something, such as a gospel or letter is written, it will help us.  Just reading something without understanding the why is in my opinion pointless.  Always ask why is this written?  Galatians was written because the church accepted a false gospel.  John was written because the church was now full of Gentiles and they need a gospel that they could understand and it battled the false gospel of Gnosticism.  Always ask, why did the Holy Spirit write this book?

 

Sorry, I have not written in a couple days.  Took some time off to help someone.  IT was a great experience.  Would not change it for the world.  Hope that today is that for you.