Being a follower of Jesus Christ is no picnic.  A true follower is often mocked by those who are “religious.”  It was no different for Jesus.  When He walked the earth, it was the religious people who tried to stop His ministry.  They often complained about His miracles, His teachings, and His compassion to the outcast.  According to the religious people of His day, Jesus could do nothing right.

That is often true when it comes to religion and following Jesus.  Religion is man made.  It is formed by man with man’s laws, rules, and regulations.  The design of religion is to make the member feel better.  No surrender is required, just attend all the functions, deposit the correct amount of tithe, and participate in as many functions as your schedule can allow, and you are religious.

Following Jesus requires surrendering to His will.  Jesus did not come to install more rules and regulations.  Instead, He came to abolish the law, allowing mankind to come directly to God.  God gives His love directly to those who follow His Son.  There is no manmade barrier, just a direct, loving, and compassionate relationship with the very one who created you.

Problems will always arise when following Jesus.   Jesus stated that there would be problems, but His solution was to rejoice and look forward to the rewards you will receive in heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5: 11 & 12

About halfway through (a PBS program on the Library of Congress), Dr. Daniel Boorstin, the Librarian of Congress, brought out a little blue box from a small closet that once held the library’s rarities. The label on the box read: Contents of the President’s Pockets on the Night of April 14, 1865.  Since that was the fateful night Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, every viewer’s attention was seized. Boorstin then proceeded to remove the items in the small container and display them on camera. There were five things in the box:

*A handkerchief, embroidered “A. Lincoln”

*A country boy’s pen knife

*A spectacles case repaired with string

*A purse containing a $5 bill–Confederate money(!)

*Some old and worn newspaper clippings

“The clippings,” said Boorstin, “were concerned with the great deeds of Abraham Lincoln. And one of them actually reports a speech by John Bright which says that Abraham Lincoln is “one of the greatest men of all times.” Today that’s common knowledge. The world now knows that British statesman John Bright was right in his assessment of Lincoln, but in 1865 millions shared quite a contrary opinion. The President’s critics were fierce and many. His was a lonely agony that reflected the suffering and turmoil of his country ripped to shreds by hatred and a cruel, costly war. There is something touchingly pathetic in the mental picture of this great leader seeking solace and self-assurance from a few old newspaper clippings as he reads them under the flickering flame of a candle all alone in the Oval Office.

Everyone fights the fear of being alone, no matter how great or small.  But we can conquer that fear when we realize that Christ promises that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He is always here.

Ever watch a cat?  It lays around all day, occasionally moving from one sofa to a bed, or recliner.  A loud cry comes from a cat when it is hunger, the litter box needs changed, or it wants attention.  The cat’s life philosophy is serve me!  Pay attention to me!!

Now consider a dog for a moment.  When the master approaches, the tail is in full wag, and sometimes its whole rear end moves.  A dog jumps for joy when it receives attention.  A lick displays it gratitude and a bark its excitement.  Where ever the master goes, the dog is close by.  When the master leaves, a dog howls its disapproval.

Two different animals, two different personalities; one animal wants to be served, while the other just wants to be with the master.

It is true for humans.  Many want to be served, while few want just to be with the master. 

“How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns even faints for the courts of the Lord.”

Psalm 84: 1, 2

We can live only in relationships. We need each other. A rather crude and cruel experiment was carried out by Emperor Frederick, who ruled the Roman Empire in the thirteenth century. He wanted to know what man’s original language was: Hebrew, Greek, or Latin? He decided to isolate a few infants from the sound of the human voice. He reasoned that they would eventually speak the natural tongue of man. Wet nurses who were sworn to absolute silence were obtained, and though it was difficult for them, they abided by the rule. The infants never heard a word — not a sound from a human voice. Within several months they were all dead. 

It is difficult to live life alone.  Statistics show that isolated people suffer more from diseases and depression.  They also die at a younger age. 

God created man to be dependent upon each other.  Relationships are a vital part of everyone’s life.   Throughout the Bible directions are given concerning interaction with other people.  “Love one another,”  “Bear one another’s burden.”  “Pray for each other.”  “Speak kindly to one another.”  The list is long, but the point is obvious—man needs man. 

Relationships fail when mankind fails to realize this simple basic need.  Self is placed before others and relationships fall apart.  “Treat one another as you would like to be treated.”   Placing the needs of the other before self is the basic ingredient of a successful relationship. 

Is a relationship falling apart in your life?  Ask yourself, am I placing the other’s needs before my own?  If not, give it a try.

God wants to walk with us.  He created us.  He provides for us.  He wants to talk to us, even if we have left Him.  It is simple for us to use the excuse, “God does not want me, look at my messed up life.”  Still, God wants to walk with us.

There is a story of a Spanish father and son who had become estranged.  The son ran away, and the father set off to find him.  He searched for months to no avail.  Finally, in a last desperate effort, the father put an ad in the newspaper.  The ad read:  Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday.  All is forgiven. I love you.  Your Father.  On Saturday, 800 Pacos showed up.

The Bible is God’s ad to His creation.  It is His call for us to walk with Him.

And I will walk among you,

and will be your God,

and you will be my people.

Leviticus 6:12

I love ice cream (butter pecan, strawberry) and Klondike bars.  When I buy them, I know with great certainty that I will have little because of two girls.  Both girls think of themselves as adults (they are now).  Of course, they want the privilege, but not the responsibilities.

It is like Adam and Eve.  After God created them, all they had to do was live.  They had no worries, God supplied all their needs.  Then, enters the serpent.  He promises them if they eat from God’s special tree that they would be like Him.  They ate.  Shortly, God comes to them for their evening stroll.  Both hide.  God calls and they answer.  Of course both do the blame game – “the woman,” “the serpent.”

Because of this act of sin, mankind has accepted responsibility for its own actions.  We have also accepted responsibility for ourselves.

Just think, if we would have left God’s ice cream alone, we would never known pain, hardship, suffering, and want.

The irony is that we did not turn out like God, but worse, we now have to take care of ourselves.

The two girls have leave home and the ice cream has taken on another taste – salt. 

“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…”

Genesis 3:4

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created Him..”   Genesis 1: 27

How much are you worth?  According to scientist, a human is worth $12.85 in mineral composition.  To a philosopher, a human is only worth thought, argument, or worthless.  Governments view humans as a tax base, while religion views humans as lost souls needing its brand of guidance.

How much are you worth?  Many people view themselves as worthless.  Depression, mental illness, and suicide rates support this view.  Are you?

If a higher being—a God—created mankind, that would be spectacular.  Wait a minute!!!! A God created man, but in His image.  So, when you look at another human you see a glimpse of God.  When one looks at you they see an aspect of God. 

Now, how much are you worth?  You are worth more than you can imagine.  Smile. 

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.”

Genesis 1:31