What have you sacrificed to follow after Jesus? For some, it is family…they were disowned by their family because they followed Jesus. For others, it was fame or fortune…they wanted Jesus more than anything else that this world could offer. Still others needed to find a new group of friends…they knew they could not say or do what they had been doing with their friends and still claim to know Jesus as savior and friend. We need to be ready, willing, and able to make such sacrifices to follow Jesus, if that is what we are called to do. Be prepared to ‘leave your nets’ and follow Him!
Please pass along this verse to family, friends, and co-workers in His kingdom. Ask if they would have left everything behind if Jesus had asked them to follow Him. Ask if they know someone who has done that for the sake of the Gospel. Let them know anyone who did that from your prior experiences. We need to be ready to make such sacrifices, if that is what we are called to do. We KNOW that God will take care of us. All we need to do is to trust in His Word and to follow His commands. PLEASE Take Time For God’s Word© as you look at your surroundings at work or at 1:18 pm and recall this verse and how the disciples left everything behind just to follow Jesus. This verse is short but powerful. If you read it over a few times, you will know it. Then, we just need to associate it with a time, place, event, or person so that when we see that ‘item”, we will recall this verse with it. Maybe it is ‘nets’…and you associate it with basketball nets or hockey nets… when you see those, you then recall this verse. Maybe you envision ALL of your ‘stuff’ in a moving van (or 2). Then you picture all of it driving off and you are then happy to follow Jesus. The more vivid the image or your imagination about that image, the better that you will recall it. Use whatever makes it easier for you to think of Jesus call to the disciples and their response. Be blessed in knowing it and in sharing it with others.
Please continue to pray for all the social led causes that address the common good. These may be children’s hospitals, blood banks, libraries, food pantries, Habitat for Humanity, etc. They help meet people’s physical needs. They make our communities stronger and more effective. They serve others. It is great if you are helping to support these groups. It is great if you volunteer in these programs. It gives you an opportunity to let your light shine for Jesus. You never know what that witness will do for others who have not yet met Him personally. Be a blessing wherever you go and in whatever you do. Pass it on by serving others gladly and by giving God all the praise and glory for ALL that He has done!
As a reminder, you will notice that the verse of the day is re-posted to Facebook.com/taketimeforgodsword/ at the time of the verse (e.g. 1:18 pm). This short reminder will help you to anchor in the verse and to “Take Time For God’s Word” later in the day. FYI. Stay blessed always!
