Following Jesus

Saturday 6 May
READ: Matt.4:18-25
MORE LESSONS: Gen. 12:1

Following Jesus is not an adventure we choose but a quest that comes to us; we are called to it. Jesus, during His earthy ministry, called men with whom He fulfilled His mandate on earth, people like John, James, Peter and Andrew (John 1:40-43). As He did then when He was physically on earth, He is still doing today. However, most often, when God calls us, we are tempted to go only halfway with Him. I will follow you if you show me where you are taking me or I will go if I can still keep my boyfriend, my sinful lifestyle and if the pay will be reasonable enough. The call of God to man for fellowship is always complete, total and never an easy thing, but it is always for a life of fulfilment, …I will make you fishers of men: Matt 4:19. The call of God on your life is to make you what you are designed to be, which sometimes you may or may not know.
Moreover, following Jesus entails certain virtues and sacrifices as enumerated by the Scripture.
1. Self-denial (Matt 16:24): the call of God upon your life is a call unto sacrifice and discipline. The title “disciple” came from the word discipline; disciples are disciplined people, who are able to follow in all situations.
2. Your possessions (Luke 18:22): Jesus said … sell all.…That is to say, transfer its ownership. Everything you possess is for the purpose of your call, when you let it go for God’s work on earth, you will meet it in Heaven. Your possessions can stand in the way of your call if care is not taken. Following the Lord involves avoiding distractions.
3. Things that make for peace (Rom.14:19): being an agent of peace, as a believer means following the Lord, bridging the gap between God and man, and the gap between man and man. In following the Lord, you must follow peace with all men (Heb.12:14).
4. Righteousness and godliness (I Tim.6:11): any man who is following Jesus must also follow virtues like righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness.
The choice to follow Jesus is a choice to follow certain things and a choice to also run away from others. Jesus said that whoever follows Him must be ready to forsake “all” to be able to do so. A type of Christianity that allows everything, not being selective and discerning, is not true Christianity. We must do all things to be able to follow completely.

Prayer/Action
* Ask the Lord to rid you of any distractions from whole heartedly following the Lord, in the name of Jesus.
* Pray that Jesus Himself will hold your hand and lead you through the rest of life, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Satan, all your acts and plans for my life end with this day and this month, in the name of Jesus.