George and I packed all we'd need for a day at Silver Lake and set off. The trail was mushy from all the recent rains and we had to step carefully or sink to our ankles in black goopy mud. I fell back and let George take the lead.
As we single filed through the sun-dappled area, my mind wandered. I enjoy every season the LORD gives, but the warmer days and extended daylight hours seem to bring renewed life to our neighborhood. The air echoes with the squeals of children playing and the buzz of friendships being renewed after cold indoor months. My mind soon skittered back to childhood and times spent playing with siblings and cousins while the adults sat talking into the dark hours of night.
One of those games was Follow the Leader. The leader chose where we went and what we would do on the way. Those following had to watch carefully. Those following the followers were depending on them to do it right.
The same is true for Christ Followers! Someone is always watching us. It's true and we know this because we watch others as much as they watch us.
I'm not talking about looking at how they're dressed or groomed. I'm talking about being alert to their choices, responses, and even how they spend their time. You know what I mean. You admire them and you want to learn from them. Or you don't admire anything about them and want to make sure you never take on their habits and ways of thinking.
1 - The Holy Spirit - He is our Helper, Teacher, Counselor, and His fruit is displayed through the lives of those who are living and walking by Him. He is our source of power. He even gives us gifts! (John 14:16-17 & 26, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-25, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 & 1 Thessalonians 5:19)
2 - The Bible - God speaks to us through the Bible. He tells us who He is, what He likes, and what He doesn't like. His character is revealed through His instructions and how He relates to the people. Reading the Bible is listening to God and hearing what He has to say. We gain His perspective and our minds are transformed. (Psalm 119:105 & Romans 12:2)
3 - Prayer - Talking to God; conversation is a vital part of every relationship. Prayer is our opportunity to ask God for help and understanding. It's thanking Him for what we see Him doing and giving to us. It's praising Him for who He is revealing Himself to be. (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 & James 5:13 & 16)
4 - Fellowship - Time spent with other Christ followers; loving others and learning from their life stories and experiences. This includes Bible study and prayer times, but it's also about being together and enjoying one another's company. It's doing life together. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)
5 - Discipline - Practicing what we are learning from the Holy Spirit, God's word, and others. Serving the LORD. We must act on what He teaches us. A doctor is only a student until he or she begins to practice medicine. We are not truly Christ followers until we put into practice what we're learning! (John 14:15 & 21 & James 1:22)
We will also learn to recognize other Christ followers. That's important when choosing who will have the most influence in our lives. Plus, when life brings the unexpected (and it will); we need to know who will stand with us and won't let go.
Join me for a look at Red Rover Friends next week. Until then...
Join the conversation! Share a little something about who or what helps you follow Jesus in the comments section below.
One of those games was Follow the Leader. The leader chose where we went and what we would do on the way. Those following had to watch carefully. Those following the followers were depending on them to do it right.
The same is true for Christ Followers! Someone is always watching us. It's true and we know this because we watch others as much as they watch us.
I'm not talking about looking at how they're dressed or groomed. I'm talking about being alert to their choices, responses, and even how they spend their time. You know what I mean. You admire them and you want to learn from them. Or you don't admire anything about them and want to make sure you never take on their habits and ways of thinking.
Aristotle said,
"He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader."
Paul was so confident in His walk with Jesus that he said,
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
1 Corinthians 1:11(NIV)
If I'm honest, I'm a little fearful of telling others to follow my example, so...
I made a list of five things I know of that help us follow Jesus and gain confidence in our walk with Him:
1 - The Holy Spirit - He is our Helper, Teacher, Counselor, and His fruit is displayed through the lives of those who are living and walking by Him. He is our source of power. He even gives us gifts! (John 14:16-17 & 26, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-25, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 & 1 Thessalonians 5:19)
2 - The Bible - God speaks to us through the Bible. He tells us who He is, what He likes, and what He doesn't like. His character is revealed through His instructions and how He relates to the people. Reading the Bible is listening to God and hearing what He has to say. We gain His perspective and our minds are transformed. (Psalm 119:105 & Romans 12:2)
3 - Prayer - Talking to God; conversation is a vital part of every relationship. Prayer is our opportunity to ask God for help and understanding. It's thanking Him for what we see Him doing and giving to us. It's praising Him for who He is revealing Himself to be. (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 & James 5:13 & 16)
4 - Fellowship - Time spent with other Christ followers; loving others and learning from their life stories and experiences. This includes Bible study and prayer times, but it's also about being together and enjoying one another's company. It's doing life together. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)
5 - Discipline - Practicing what we are learning from the Holy Spirit, God's word, and others. Serving the LORD. We must act on what He teaches us. A doctor is only a student until he or she begins to practice medicine. We are not truly Christ followers until we put into practice what we're learning! (John 14:15 & 21 & James 1:22)
When we practice the disciplines of following Jesus,
we are Christ followers. We can say with confidence,
"follow my example as I follow the example of Christ."
We will also learn to recognize other Christ followers. That's important when choosing who will have the most influence in our lives. Plus, when life brings the unexpected (and it will); we need to know who will stand with us and won't let go.
Join me for a look at Red Rover Friends next week. Until then...
Join the conversation! Share a little something about who or what helps you follow Jesus in the comments section below.
Comments
Post a Comment