Weekend Words

 From Be Still and Know...

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

When the Lord Jesus issues an invitation to "Follow Me," it is accompanied by certain conditions.  First, it requires a total commitment of our lives to Him.  He said, "IF any man will come after ME."  Committal has the meaning of deposit.  When we deposit money in the bank, we leave it there for safe keeping.  In committing (depositing) our lives to Him, we give them to Him unreservedly.  

Jesus said that we must deny self to follow Him.  We must give up all rights to our lives, relinquishing our interests, ambitions, goals, desires, even our own ability.

As we deny self, we must take up the cross of submission to his will for our lives.  Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

Jesus said there must be consistency in following Him.  We must follow Him daily; not just when we want to, or when we feel like it.

It costs something to deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him.  However, He doesn't force this commitment on us, the choice is ours.

One day George Mueller was asked the secret of the power of God working in His life.  He replied, "There was a day when George Mueller died, died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will: died to the world, its approval or censure, died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends.  Since then I have studied only to show myself approved to God."

Jesus' invitation is to all.  "Then He spoke to them ALL: If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me" (Luke 9:23, Phillips).  God can use anyone who is willing to do this.

"Great peace have those who love your law, 

And nothing causes them to stumble." 

Psalm 119:165

From Amish Peace...

Like Morning Fog

"Your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone.  what you ought to say is. "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."  Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil." - James 4:14-16

In our American society we value order, organization, planning.  We create systems and charts.  We fill in calendars and create schedules.  We create five-year plans, set life goals, and make bucket lists.  We believe in "doing" for the sense of accomplishment we get.  Even though we may not admit it, our plans help us to excel - to compete with others - and even compete with the goals we've established for ourselves.  And sometimes we've become prideful in our sense of self-sufficiency.

We may not boast outwardly, but our deeds speak loud and clear.  We are so certain of what we've planned for tomorrow that we become discouraged and overwhelmed when unexpected sickness, injury, natural disasters, and loss force us to change our routines.  The Amish are not immune to trouble.  Like the rest of us, they make plans and then find themselves disappointed too.  What the Amish understand, though, is the beauty of sacrificing time to the Lord.  Everything they do takes more time, but that means they have more time to spend with God as they do it.

Do you feel as if your life is a morning fog, here and then gone?  Only the things we do for God will last for eternity.  Everything else will fade to nothing.  "You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.  My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath," says Psalm 39:5

This is a good reminder to slow down and cherish the time we spend with loved ones.  Put aside your five-year plans, life goals, and bucket lists, and instead, refresh your soul and cherish your family and friends.  Do not boast about what you think is to come.  Instead, be thankful for the moments you have today with those you love and with God by your side.