JUNE 26 – A SHEPHERD….

 Peter was deeply affected; quite hurt that Jesus asked him a third time, “Peter, do you love me so much you will pay the cost?” He said to Jesus, “Lord, you know me inside and out. You know how much I love you!” Jesus replied, “Feed my little sheep.” (John 21:17)

                   Here, John captures Jesus’ presentation to Peter of the job description for a person who will make following Jesus their vocation for life. In a word, Jesus says, “love who I love, how I tell you to love them.” Remember, Jesus identified himself as the bread of life (John 6:35). When telling Peter to feed the weak, little sheep, He was not only saying, “make sure they eat,” but also “give them Me.” Given the challenge as to how dearly Peter loved Jesus, Peter must have understood that his calling was to give his very own life for the benefit of others, so they could know and grow in Christ.

                   The job you are called to do, as you lead your people, is to love them as Jesus loves them, feeding them at your cost; feeding them the bread of His life, and paying for that meal with your life as He did with His own.

                   Do you love Jesus so much you will pay the cost of feeding His sheep? Feed them as He sends them to you – one at a time.

JUNE 25 - …. NO MATTER WHAT

My only food – my tears – all day and all night, all while they humiliate me; taunt me saying, “Where is your God, now?” All day long they laugh and scoff. (Psalm 42:3)

                   The context of this writer’s panting for God is in a place (among enemies), at a time (in exile from the throne), that other people are challenging David for answers. They are asking him to explain God; to defend his trust in a seeming powerless, absent deity. Should David ad-lib? Should he try to vindicate himself? Or God? Not this believer. He would simply, patiently, humbly continue to seek God’s presence and comfort.

                   How about you? Dark days come. God seems to have left you at the moment you need Him most. Will you continue to pursue Jesus, and only Him, when the answers come slowly, while the personal costs rise, and while others laugh at you and make fun of you and your God? Or, will you lose patience with the Lord, and find the world’s most effective way to achieve the result that you think is appropriate? It is at this time of struggle, when life comes down to these simple questions, that you will know if you believe.

                   Persevere in faith. Pursue God’s presence until He acts. Wait on the Lord. 

JUNE 24 – ONLY ONE SOLUTION….

My heart needs and desires you just like the parched deer stag pants for the refreshment of the cool stream. Yes, my soul is literally thirsty for the living God. When can I return to Him? When can I be in His presence again? (Psalm 42:1-2)                

                   This Psalm is thought to be written by David, or a choral director with him, after they fled from David’s son, Absalom. Again, on the run, you may have expected David to long for the luxury of his palace or the cheers of his people. But, David valued the relationship he had with God most of all. He didn’t value property, power, or praise more than that. He needed God.

                   Think of a time you acted without consulting God. Rather than considering the outcome, think for a moment about the arrogance you showed when you did that. You were saying, “I, a child of God, who has told everyone I am devoted to following Jesus in every part of my life – have decided that I can choose not to follow when I want.” Have you truly given your life to Christ if you can say that?

                   Take Jesus seriously. Recognize the value of relationship with God, and only pursue Him and His will for your life.

JUNE 23 - ….AND NOTHING ELSE

 Jesus, even though He had the very character of God, did not seek recognition as God. No, He took on the appearance of a man. He took off the things that would bring Him recognition, choosing to simply serve others as if He were their servant. (Philippians 2:6-7)

                   Do you want to matter? Are you trying to find something important to do? If yes is your answer, Is that consistent with your vocation as a follower? The goal of significance is common, especially among accomplished leaders. But, even when motivated by an intent to accomplish something for God, self-designed efforts just don’t pleased God.

                   Paul shows Jesus was completely aware of this, as God and as man. His nature – His character, was that of God. But, His work was to be man. He was to be the perfect man, so therefore, He simply became a man who was an obedient servant to God; showing mercy to God’s people. How amazing that the Holy Spirit led Paul to write in a way that brought together God’s desire for obedience (1 Samuel 15:22) and love (Mercy) (Hosea 6:6) more than sacrifice. Obedience equals love. Mercy to men and women God loves is the evidence of our love for God.

                   Choose the path of insignificance, and embrace loving obedience to the Lord.

JUNE 22 – ONLY JUST YOU….

 Jesus, while here in the flesh, suffered emotions and pain. He turned to the Father when He had need – with requests and thanksgiving, and with urgent pleas. He knew the Lord God, alone, could bring Him out of the vulnerability of human life and even death, and God honored Him because of that absolute commitment. (Hebrews 5:7-8)

                   When you feel overwhelmed, weak, vulnerable, and you are afraid – do you have absolute confidence that God has the power to save you, or to bring you through – even if you die? You must have this confidence if you are going to respond well when it seems you are all alone.

                   Jesus, who lived this life of submission and death to Himself he offers you, suffered. That is what this passage says. He had emotion and felt pain. He felt alone and vulnerable and weak and tired. But, even when it was hard to go forward on the path designed for Him, Jesus turned to God – only God. God honored Him because He responded with that absolute, consistent, and complete faith. What God desires from you is that kind of total faith.

                   When you want to be afraid, be confident. Know that your God – the Savior – the one who was brought out from death – can bring you through whatever is placed in your day.

JUNE 21 – A DIFFERENT ROAD

 I don’t want your confidence to be based on man’s wisdom. I want you to be anchored in the power of God. There is wisdom in what we have told you who follow. But it’s not this world’s wisdom. No, that will never last. We speak of the Lord God’s ageless wisdom that is hidden from them. It’s a different way. (1 Corinthians 2:5-7)

                   Where do you go for answers? When a big decision looms, and the stakes are highest, is it a consultant, a mentor, or a book that you scour for answers?

 If Paul is to be believed, all that wisdom – if it comes only from the minds of men and women – is temporary. It is destined to become old, dated, and even irrelevant. Paul taught Jesus. He spoke Jesus. He sought Jesus. That is what following Jesus means. Jesus is the answer to every part of life for any person who will follow Him. Ideas, information, observations, experiences, and the like will often come from human sources. How you regard this information must be determined by Jesus though – if you truly want to follow Him. And, much of God’s wisdom is the opposite of this world’s wisdom (Luke 16:15). It is a different way.

   Take the great risk that the world will call you foolish. Trust Jesus who, unlike them, loves you and calls you His own. Trust Him always.

JUNE 20 – VOCATIONAL FOLLOWING

 Jesus told Peter, “Follow Me.” (John 21:19)

Whoever doesn’t accept God’s plan for his or her life, and follow Me – accepting whatever that journey requires – can’t be mine. (Luke 14:27)

                   Have you really considered the enormous cost that Jesus requires of you? “Following Jesus” sounds nice and neat and safe enough. After all, God is love. He cares about me. Could He let harm or difficulty come my way? He did promise, repeatedly, that it would. Immediately before asking Peter to follow, Jesus gave him a picture of the future. It was not a nice, neat, safe vision. Three times Jesus explained to Peter he would give his life away to other people, and then he would meet a difficult, unpleasant end.

    Jesus told followers; promised them, that there would be uncertainty, difficulty, and pain for anyone following Him. He clearly said the cost for each person is to accept that unknown future unconditionally; to enter a vocation of simply following Jesus in every part of life.

Will you accept God’s plan for you without reservation? To make any exception is to say no to Jesus. Say yes – Follow Him - whatever the cost.