Following Him

 “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me."
Matthew 16.24


Someone asked me the other day about salvation and following Jesus.  She wanted to know if salvation was free or did we have to do something more?  The truth is God forgives us by grace.  It is not something to be earned.  But salvation and following Jesus go together,  They are two sides of the same coin.  Forgiveness is free.  We are saved by grace.  But Jesus' desire is for us then to follow Him and that can be costly.
Being a Christ Follower means that we follow Him by deny ourselves  and taking up our cross.  That means that His priorities become our priorities.  It means that we our willing to sacrifice ourselves and we surrender ourselves to His will.
Are you ready to give Him complete control of your life?  If so you are experiencing the life of the disciple.  Life is at its best when we are living for Jesus.

Do Not Worry!

Matthew 6:31 (NASB)
 "Do not worry "

Such a simple statement but how difficult it can be.  Do not sounds a little like a command doesn't it.  Well that is because it is.  Jesus does not want us to worry about the things of life.  Perhaps it would also be helpful to define what worry is.  Worry is when we torment ourselves with the "what ifs".  It becomes that thought that overwhelms your mind and even your actions.  It takes over our thoughts and leaves us unable to function through everyday life.  Worry is the result of us picking up the issues and struggles of our life and not allowing God to handle them.  God tells us to, "cast all our cares on Him."  We should and we must or worry will consume us and we begin to think about the circumstances of life rather than the Kingdom agenda God has for us.  So turn it over to our able savior and stop worrying!

Is Your Light Hidden?

 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Matthew 5:14-15 (NASB) 

Is your light hidden?  Light is not intended to be hidden.  Light is never hidden by accident.  If your light is hidden it is done intentionally.  So let me ask again, is your light hidden?

If you are not shining your light or sharing Jesus with others, there is something wrong.  Don't hide your light!  Let it shine!  As a Christ follower that is our primary reason for being where you are.  At home, in your office, in the community and at your church make sure that your light is shining bright.  If its not it is not accidental.  There is only one thing we can call that and be consistent with the
Scripture.  It is sin!