Following Jesus. In His Love and In His Peace, We Live
Jesus Christ is a Lord and a Savior. Who gives to us unceasing love. Jesus to us brings soothing peace.
Let There be Peace on Earth.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father. Brothers all are we.
Let us walk with each brother in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment …
(Vince Gill)
Introduction. Jesus our LORD, our Saviour, our God loves us. With a love beyond our understanding. Following our Lord means a life of dedication and a life of complete devotion.
Scripture Reading: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, NIV)
Jesus said to His disciples, “come and follow me.” We are not to be mere spectators. Our Lord Jesus is no longer here on our precious Earth. He needs us to BE. Our Lord, our Master intends us be His hands. To comfort our troubled neighbor. We are to be Jesus’ feet. To walk the extra mile. Visit a lonely person. In her hospital ward, with a bunch of white roses in hand.
A true follower of Jesus our Lord, our God. A disciple of the One who loves us so. Lives a life of complete obedience and of humble service to Him.
Scripture Readings: It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him. (Deuteronomy 13:4, NIV)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, NIV)
As true children of God. You and I are defined by who we faithfully follow. You and I always follow Jesus, our LORD, our Saviour, our God. In humble and obedient service. Loving all those in our life. We are Christ’s workers. Reflecting His love, compassion, kindness and tender ways. We show to each person the love Jesus showed to those He touched.
Now, let us ponder on the magnitude of our responsibilities. When following and serving our Lord, Jesus. Where I live. In my retirement complex. I know, each word and every action are judged according to my faith. Good, bad or indifferent. My neighbors know of my love for God. And my faith in Jesus. They sadly judge Jesus through what I say and how I act.
We love as did Jesus. We teach as did Jesus. We forgive as did Jesus.
We love as did Jesus. Our LORD loves all people. We love all people. Our Lord loves with tenderness, compassion, kindness and with His whole heart. You and I love each person we meet, no less. All the people are indeed made in the image of God Himself. We remember this.
As we teach our children and the children of others. We teach as did Jesus. Our Lord in His temple, in His synagogue and on the hillsides. Taught with the divine wisdom of God, the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught with the love that only God has to share. We teach as did Jesus.
Scripture Reading: He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read. (Luke 4:16, NIV)
You and I are not ashamed to associate with those Jesus hung out with. Jesus befriended the social outcasts. The untouchable in His own society and yes, even sinners.
Scripture Reading: While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. (Mark 2:15, NIV)
How far did Jesus go to share His love for you and for me? Christ our Lord went all the way to His wicked and soul-saving cross. Christ even went through Hell on our behalf. Yes! God, the Son went to Hell and back for you and for me.
Christ is our focal point of our life. Jesus is our Lord, our Master. The primary force of our life. We seek and love the lost, the hurting and the opposed. As did Jesus. As Jesus’ disciples. We feed the hungry. we visit the sick and those in prison. We do, always. As did Jesus.
Scripture Reading: Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:3, NIV)
Where did Jesus go? Jesus often sought the love, the comfort and the peace found in prayer. We too go where Jesus went. As did Jesus. We pray frequently. When we pray to our Heavenly Father. We do so with all the love our heart holds. For you and for me. Our time with Almighty God refreshes our soul. So, we once more follow Jesus and love as He did. We pray.
Casting Crowns — Until the Whole World Hears.
Lord, I wanna feel with Your heart,
And see the world through Your eyes.
I wanna be Your hands and feet,
I wanna live a life that leads.(Bernie Herms, Jason McArthur and Roger Glidewel, 2009)
In an age where people worship the mighty dollar. You and I, as followers of our Lord, Jesus. Show to all the value of LOVE. Just by being who we are. True disciples of Jesus Christ, our Savior. No pretense. No false show. Just reflecting the light and the love of Jesus.
Scripture Readings: While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world. (John 9:5, NASB)
I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. (John 12:46, NASB)
We remember our Lord; Jesus needed the rest and the comfort which came from prayer. As we love, comfort and serve others. Our own body, heart and soul grows weary. We find our place of solace. Our place of peaceful solitude. We spend time in prayer with our Heavenly Father. Our heart, our body and our soul are refreshed by our prayer time. You and I are blessed by God through prayer. We are blessed and loved by the Almighty One.
As you and I reflect the love of Jesus. We see the crowd on the hillside. Where many thousands of men and women were gathered. They were there to hear His words of love and His words of wisdom. We do as Jesus did. We share Jesus’ love and His words of wisdom with the crowds.
In a society which stives to achieve as much in twenty-four hours as possible. We need Jesus’ rest and His soothing peace. How possibly can we be of help to others. When we ourselves do not rest. You and I seek, and we find our rest and our peace in Jesus. We do as Jesus did. We rest.
Scripture Reading: Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. (John 14:27a, NIV)
We are Jesus’ disciples. As true and faithful followers of Christ Jesus:
- We do as Jesus did.
- We love as Jesus did.
- We act and we speak as Jesus did.
- We pray as Jesus did.
Ross’ article inspires and uplifts, Diane.
If God touched your heart,
please highlight your favorite passages
and leave me a message.
Thank you.
