Who's Following Who?

"The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night."  --Exodus 13:21

 

I have been exercising.  My  routine has become rising extra early in the morning to get in some time on the treadmill.  But I felt I needed a little variety. So, I went to a kickboxing class.  In the class there is an instructor calling out instructions.  Each time there's a different movement, just before the change, she would yell out the instructions.  Now, I was unfamiliar with the routine so her instructions were vital to me.  I wouldn't dream of joining her and yelling out my own instructions, or breaking off and doing my own routine.  The result would be chaos.  Why come to her class if I'm going to do my own thing?  And so it is with Jesus.  What is the point of following my OWN path if I say I'm a follower of Jesus Christ?  Jesus provided the pillar of cloud by day, and the fire by night for the Israelites as a symbol of His presence, but also as a guide for them to follow.  The Word says, "He guided them".

 

Jesus Christ, the Shepherd is ever present, leading and guiding us, His sheep. But we cannot be led by Him if we run out ahead and follow our own instructions.  If we're going to go off and do our own thing, the question is who's following who?  John 10:27 says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

 

In this Christian life we're not playing follow the leader, because in that game, the leader changes constantly.  Instead, we are relinquishing control . . . leadership . . . guidance to the ruler of the universe . . . Jesus Christ, the good Shepherd.  So, I ask you the question, Who's following who?

"What Are You Willing to Give Up?"

What are You Willing to Give Up?

“Some time later God tested Abraham.  He said to him, “Abraham!”  “Here I am,” he replied.  Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Issac – and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

-- Genesis 22:1-2

I teach a Bible Study class for ages 3-6.  We were learning the story of Abraham being tested.  Abraham and Sarah had been barren for years.  The Lord had promised them a child, but now they were old in age.  Even though the angel appeared to Abraham confirming the promise, they were still doubtful.  True to His word, the God gave them the child He had promised.  Now, the Lord is asking Abraham to sacrifice the child he had waited for many years.  As an illustration, I asked my students to bring their favorite toy to class.  As we discussed the lesson, I asked them if they would be willing to give up their favorite toy if God asked them to, never being able to play with it again.  Initially, as expected, they were apprehensive.  I could see the wheels turning in their heads as they thought about it.  I kept stressing, ‘you won’t be able to play with it ever again.’  After much discussion and lots of questions, they eventually agreed to give up their favorite toy for God.  That illustration got me thinking, what am I willing to give up for God?  What things am I holding on to that affect my relationship with God?

As we approach a new year, now would be a great time to evaluate some things:

1.     Do I have any habits or activities that are unpleasing to God?

2.     Do my actions and speech line up with the Word of God?

3.     Is the amount of time I spend in meditation and reading God’s Word sufficient?

4.     What am I willing to give up to be closer to God?

Margaret Slaughter

"No Record"

No Record

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” –Psalm 32:1

 Recently, my husband and I decided to make a trip to Scott Air Force Base to shop at the Commissary.  As we approach the security gate, I realize I do not have my photo ID.   We are directed to the Visitor’s Center where I can be issued a pass to get on Base.  We go to the Visitor’s Center where I am asked all my personal information, name, date of birth, address, social security number, etc.  The Officer retreats to the back to look me up in the system.  After about 15 minutes he returns and tells me he was unable to locate me in their system.  I’m puzzled.  I respond, ‘What do you mean?  I work for the Department of Justice.  How are you not able to find me?’  The Officer said, ‘You don’t have a record so you aren’t in our system’.  Ok so now what?  I was told because they could not find me in the system, they were unable to issue a pass to get on the Base.  I thought, how absurd.  But then I remembered it’s kind of the same way with Jesus.  If I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, it doesn’t matter what I’ve done in the past, my record is wiped clean . . . No record!  I am forgiven!  The good news is, by having no record with Jesus, I am not denied access.  Jesus bore the weight of my sins so that my record could be wiped clean.  And I am granted full access to all that my Father has to offer, including eternal life. 

Margaret Slaughter

God's Billboard

God’s Billboard

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

–Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

On any state highway or street, side of a bus, pop up on the internet, and every few minutes on TV, you will see billboards and commercials advertising a variety of things.  Those advertisements represent a product or company.  When you see them, you think about the company it represents.  The same is true of Christ’s followers.  As you go about your daily life, you are a billboard, commercial, or advertisement for Christ. 

In God’s Word, we are called to let our light shine before men.  It should be clear to everyone that sees your billboard that you are a product or representative for Christ.  So ask yourself, ‘What am I advertising?’

Margaret Slaughter