'He said to another, 'Follow me!' But he said, 'Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.' But Jesus said to him, 'Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God.' Another also said, 'I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house.' But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.' Luke 9:59 WEBJesus called some people to follow Him, but they began to make excuses. Two said that while they would really like to follow Him, they had some things to do first. The third one replied that he needed to bury his father. Though if the man's father had been a corpse at home, then he would not have been with Jesus, but occupied with the funeral. So the story implies that he wanted to stay at home until his father died one day.
Jesus called them, they all said they wanted to go, but each one had reasons why they could not do that right now. There is no telling what they missed in life. They might have been listed with Peter, James and John if they would have accepted His call. It could have been them walking on the water with Peter and Jesus, but their life was too busy. What a scary thought.
I have talked with people who desperately need change in their lives, but they always put it off to a future date. Instead of getting serious with God, they would say something like: 'Let me deal with this first.' Then a decade goes by and they still have not dealt with it. Your life is passing by you right now and there is nothing more important than your relationship with Jesus. Turn to Him, and then He will help you put your house in order.
There have been times that I have stumbled while walking with the Lord, sometimes for long periods. Like the prodigal son, when I came to my senses (Luke 15:17), I would go and pray for a while and every single time it has been: "Welcome back! Now let's go forward." The past has never been a problem with God and the moment that you are ready to face it, He will wash it from you. He is only interested in our future.
God knows our life is fleeting, and He wants us to make the most of it. Jesus asked those people to follow Him, and they began to make excuses why they could not at this time. That tells us that not everyone who is called, actually goes. Don't let your past hold you back from your future. The ones who made excuses, went back home to their plows. You can do that, but the ones who followed Him became the ones that we read about today.
When you stumble, repent, get up, and keep going. Take the risk. Don't look back. This is real. Jesus never said that it would be easy to follow Him. The Apostles led lives filled with trials and tribulations, while also filled with unspeakable joy. Let us be so full of the Holy Spirit that we bring change to our surroundings like they did.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please guide me, teach me, draw me and my family to You. Use me today just as I am and if there is something that needs to change, reveal it to me so that I can deal with it. Please lead me into divine encounters, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: Good morning! The Creation Photographers fun theme for the week is "New Life", based on 2 Cor 5:17! As always, you are free to post anything else that inspires you, too! ALSO, the latest Bible Study covering chapter one of Acts is now available! For links to these areas and more, please see the Announcements at the top of our home page here:
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Amen!
Yes Lord! Lead me into divine encounters!
Thank you.
Amen Lord
Amen,
Awesome message, Pastor D!!!!!
Amen!
Amen!
Take away fear and doubt my God. Amen.
Amen!
Amen! Pick up our crosses daily!
So good. Thank you!
Amazing teaching-thanks Pastor!!!!!!!
Praise God
Thank you, Pastor Dion, for a perfect prayer to begin this week: Use me today just as I am and if there is something that needs to change, reveal it to me so that I can deal with it. Please lead me into divine encounters!
Amen!
Yes Lord, lead me to You, Amen!
Lead us to serve you as you will.we love you. Amen
Heavenly Father You know I'm a sinner and I need Your help in my life. Heal me, save me and lead me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Thank you Pastor for this devotional.
Needing to make the most of my days while still on this earth for Jesus and me. Amen!
Amen!
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father please guide me, teach me, draw me and my family to You. Use me today just as I am and if there is something that needs to change, reveal it to me so that I can deal with it. Please lead me into divine encounters, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Heavenly Father please guide me, teach me, draw me and my family to You. Use me today just as I am and if there is something that needs to change, reveal it to me so that I can deal with it. Please lead me into divine encounters, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen <3
Thank you Pastor Dion, for you daily devotions. :-)