following Jesus

Ecclesiastes 12:13  NLT

That’s the whole story.  Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

That verse concludes the wisest man who ever lived who searched for meaning and to enjoy life even more.  That man, king Solomon, found that God was the beginning and the end.  It is our duty, and it also makes our lives much better.

We believe that God has told the church to encourage each other to step higher, to go further, to do more than expected and to honor God with everything.  For years, no centuries, churches have had members who did the minimum, and I am not here to make friends but to share truth.  God expects His followers to go far past the minimums.  That means obedience, renewed desire and living with holiness.  That is a big deal.

2 Corinthians 8:5  NLT

They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

It takes a human to mess things up or to settle for less.  Does that describe you and me?  Do we go beyond what others do, what others expect, above the norm to where people will see God and be amazed?  It starts with our commitment to growth.

1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

It is time for steps.  It may be baby steps but take steps.  The key to spiritual maturity is not in being smart or doing the right things.  The key is simply being obedient to God.  His ways and His thoughts are awesome, and His love for us is endless. 

Obedience is a choice for people who really care about God.  Obedience says I am willing to give of myself for what God wants and to do what God says.

Simply put, to grow to be more like Jesus is not only something God destined for us, it is what marks people who know the power and blessing of what comes when we follow God.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable.  This is truly the way to worship him.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.