Trust God

Feeding Sheep

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

It occurred to me the other day, I don’t remember what I was listening to at the time. I began to wonder what exactly am I doing to feed God’s sheep? This blog for example, I don’t have many followers and that’s ok. Sometimes it bothers me. I try to learn how I can increase views and watch videos on how to pump up the blog. Sometimes I get snagged into an hour long sales pitch of buy my course.

But I thought about it. Like Jesus I want organic followers. I want people to follow this blog because it’s pointing them to Jesus, because it’s making them think. I can spend money all day long to attract followers and there’s nothing wrong with that. But God is bigger than any algorithm, any hashtag, bigger than any I could possibly do. Sometimes I feel like what am I doing here? Then He reminds me, “for the one.” A good shepherd will leave the 99 (Matthew 18:10–14 and Luke 15:3–7) and seek the one lost sheep. So if this blog points one person to Jesus, then I am ok with that.

Sometimes I can feel defeated, I know that’s the enemy. God is still bigger. I realized, that it’s not my job to help God spread His Gospel, it’s God’s job to help me spread His Gospel. It’s like a load was lifted. After all He chose me, He chose us to follow Him, (Matthew 4:19) and I willingly chose and accepted. So it’s only fitting that God is going to help me and provide what I need ( Philippians 4:19). Like Dallas Jenkins (The Chosen) said, “It’s not our job to feed the 5000, we just need to bring the loaves and fish.” (Actually it may have been his wife who said that). God does the rest. If I do what He says, He will provide what I need. Matthew 6:8 says that God knows what I need before I ask. He knows who needs to see this and He what this blog needs to reach others. Right now spending money isn’t in my budget, so I’m relying on God. I’m just doing, following His lead, the rest is up to Him.

So all I can ask of whoever is reading this, please like and share. It takes a second and won’t cost you a dime. Also you can follow on Facebook and Instagram and like and share there as well. I do hope this blog is an encouragement to whoever reads this. Happy Friday and thank you to all who follow, be blessed.

Uncategorized

“Come, follow me.”

Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com

What company in their right mind would hire someone without any training or knowing how to do the job? Granted there are some jobs that offer on the job training. But more often then not the process goes something like this; learn the skills, gain the knowledge, apply for the job, interview, and hopefully someone calls you and hires you. That’s how things work on planet earth.

But God, God calls us first then equips us. God calls us to follow Him. No skills required, no interview. He only requires recognition as our Lord and Savior, recognition that we are sinners, and a willing, repentant heart. We are so far from worthy but yet He calls us. He shows us grace and mercy and calls us to follow Him. As Bob Goff says, “Grace is like the sunrise: It’s there for us everyday whether we choose to enjoy it or not.”

Jesus simply called His disciples to follow and learn from Him. That is how He equips us. He didn’t hand the disciples a textbook or a manual. He offered a simple invite to follow Him, live life with Him and learn from His example. He offers that to us today. If you have been watching The Chosen, S1 E1 Jesus calls Mary of Magdala a woman tormented by demons. Jesus meets her in a tavern or a bar, she’s a mess, physically, emotionally, spiritually, totally unworthy but yet Jesus called her and called her by name.

Jesus didn’t wait for the disciples to clean up their acts. They answered His call as they were. They followed Him. Jesus’ style of teaching in the Hebrew culture; hevei mitabek b’afar raglehem, a well known blessing literally means “cover yourself with the dust of their feet.” (Dave Adamson) The rabbi’s students were to follow so closely behind that they should step where their rabbi stepped, that the dust kicked up by the rabbi’s feet would cover their their clothes. That’s close.

Jesus called out to the disciples, “Come, follow me.” He calls out to us today, just as we are. No qualifications, no formal education, no skills, no interview. When we agree to follow, to follow closely behind Him. And in the dust of His footsteps is where He will equip us.

Uncategorized

“This will be a sign to you:”

Photo by Vinu00edcius Vieira ft on Pexels.com

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Like 2:12

The sign was a baby wrapped in cloths. King James Versions says “swaddling cloths.” By definition swaddling means wrapping. We have read that so many times it’s easy to overlook that. But these cloths have significant meaning. When the angels told the shepherds they would find Jesus in swaddling cloths they knew exactly what was being told to them. According to Levitical law the newborn lambs that were to be sacrificed for Passover, they were to be wrapped in strips of linen as soon as they were born so that they would remain blemish free and be protected from any bruising.

We know that Jesus later became crucified on the Jewish Passover as the “Lamb of God.” When Jesus was sacrificed as the Lamb of God, he was tied down and his body was wrapped in cloths at his burial. The Hebrew word for “wrapped” is “chattal, which means to wrap up or tie down. Interesting.

If you haven’t seen The Chosen Christmas Special – The Messengers, it’s a must see. There’s a touching scene between the Marys, Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ mother. I don’t want spoil it for those who haven’t seen it so you’ll just have to watch it. Hint, It has to do with cloths. You can see it on YouTube or through The Chosen app.

Merry Christmas!