Welcome!
Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011
Today: Follow Jesus, not religion!
Passage: Mark 10
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mk 10: 48-52, NIV 84-EMPHASIS ADDED)
Blind Bartimaeus followed Jesus
BB got his physical vision; he also got his spiritual vision!
He became a follower of Christ, not a denomination
The other day, I read somebody calling himself a “hardcore (denomination)”
If anybody calls themselves hardcore Brethren/ Pentecostal/Marthomite or so, there is a major problem there
God called us to be committed disciples of Jesus, with a “soft” core, not a “hard” core!
Some are after things of this world, like material/physical blessings
When we are too much committed to anything other than Christ, we loose our softness, our concern and compassion for others
People who are after Church politics and stuff like that get “lost” right there
There are lots of people out there, like our friend BB, in need of prayer. Go looking for them and pray for them instead, during the weekend or so
When we get what we want, like a nice home, car, job etc., we have a tendency to follow the blessings, than the source of all blessings. That’s what happened to Israelites when they reached “Canaan”
It is often our trials and troubles that take us closer to God, than our triumphs!
Following Jesus has its “plus” as well as “minus”
There are sufferings associated with the sweetness of following Christ
You can hear the good word, experience miracles and even get bread!
But you may also see people rejecting you and even persecuting you, because of your testimony for Jesus
If we will cling on to Him till the end, we will qualify for that which He has prepared for us
Follow Jesus, and not any religion, denomination or power
God bless you
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I don’t really find true love and compassion like in you, anywhere else. Help me to really follow you than anything else. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for all that you are, for me. Amen