Who are you following? – In His
Word 2-8-16
Lately we hear the term “follow
me on…”so very much that it makes me think that people will forget the most
important person to follow is not on any social media but in His Word.
And he went forth again by the sea side; and the
entire multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of
Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he
arose and followed him. And
it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and
sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many,
and they followed him. Mark
2:13-15
In the United States
You have to do like God to
choose to follow someone in life; look to the heart. The eyes are said to be a
window to the heart and soul.
People are basically not
capable of being good; for there is non good no not one, according to His Word.
Still, if we have to follow someone’s rule we need to know whom it is that we
are following.
We need to look at their fruits
see if they are fresh, or rotten fruits. Where do they focus their eyes? We
need to see people through Jesus’ filters and know their heart as much as
possible before we choose to hang out with them or follow their post on any
media. We are known by our fruits as well and so if we are hanging around, or
following, people who give out rotten fruits then we too will appear to be
rotten fruit producing people.
But when your eye is bad, your whole body
is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually
darkness, how deep that darkness is! “No one can serve two
masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one
and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. “That is why I tell you
not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or
enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than
clothing? Matthew
6-23-25
God places us in locations to
find the right church, the group of friends to join; if we are paying attention
to Him we will find the spiritual needs for ourselves and our families. It is
most important when we are focusing on who to follow it needs to start with
following God. Trust Him to direct our path. Proverbs 3:5-8
If we are just in it for the
money our ministry will not go anywhere. If we are faithful in small things He
will bring us big things. So when your ministry finances are small you need to trust
God more and be careful with the small things. Learn the difference, study to
show yourselves approved. Then choose to follow His lead. Step out in faith
with the small donations and accept that God has more than enough to meet your
needs.
And if you are not faithful with other
people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
“No one can serve two masters. For you
will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the
other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who dearly loved their
money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Luke 16:12-14
Be wise spenders with what He has given
you both in deed and goods. When you follow Jesus’ example to give to ‘Caesar
what is Caesar’s then your finances will extend to the extent that He sees the
need for. The wise have wealth and luxury but fools spend whatever they get.
Whoever
pursues righteousness and unfailing love, will find life, righteousness,
and honor. The wise
conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they
trust. Proverbs
21-20-22
Keep your eyes on Jesus, in His Word and in prayer consistently
and often. For these things will give you the wisdom to choose wisely whom to
follow.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment when you
meet someone new, or when you need to choose someone in authority to follow
after. Ask Him to direct your path in righteousness so that you may follow
those who are righteous in Him.
Who is righteous? Only God according to the Word but
through Christ we are seen as righteous; when we accept Him into our lives
Father God sees Christ in us.
But
you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit
if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do
not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die
because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been
made right with God. Romans 8:9-19
Made right with God means we are made righteous with Him. So,
just as we choose to follow Christ, we need to choose Christ-like people.
So ask yourself today who you are following? Seek Him to find
the right people to follow wherever you follow people. Just be sure it is Jesus
in them that you follow and not the money they have or the things they get to
do.
If that is the case then you need to be a leader not
a follower! But that is another article all together!
Dear Heavenly Father, direct our paths to those who
will lead us in righteousness and right living or put us in the position to
lead them to You. In Jesus name, amen.
Suggested reading: Romans 8:1-39, Romans 9:1-33, Luke
16:1-31 and Mark 2:1-28.