Follow Me

Jesus said, “Follow Me” (Matt 4:19, 21; Matt 9:9; Mk 2:14; Jn 1:43).

It’s how He called His disciples, and it’s how He calls us into a life-flow of covenant blessing.

Jesus knows His believers as His sheep, who hear His voice and willingly accept His invitation (Jn 10:27).

2 Peter 1:3-4 TPT remind us that “Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness.”

Paul, Silas and Timothy constantly prayed for the believing church in 2 Thessalonians 1:11 saying, “that our God will empower you to live worthy of all that he has invited you to experience” and “that by his power all the pleasures of goodness and all works inspired by faith would fill you completely.”

As believers, we understand that covenant blessings are linked with the knowledge of and obedience to God’s goodness and glory.

Followers discover that Jesus is the Source of living water that never ends (Jn 4:13). 

We can trust that the same water that flows underground, like a spring in our secret places and during wilderness times, will continue to flow without end in the new places of blessing our Lord is leading us into (De 11:11). 

This is the same living water that flows to connect dots of understanding from one scripture to another, and the same living water that flows out of our bellies as we express His Words of faith, believing for what is to come, according to His plan (Jn 7:38).

In Luke 7:35 TPT, Jesus says, “…I say to you, the wisdom of God will be proven true by the expressions of godliness in everyone who follows me.”

He describes His true followers as those who build wisely, saying in Luke 6:47-48 TPT,  “Let me describe the one who truly follows me and does what I say. He is like a man who chooses the right place to build a house and then lays a deep and secure foundation. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it continues to stand strong and unshaken through the tempest, for it has been wisely built on the right foundation.”

Believers understand that following Jesus’ spiritual laws produces maximum growth and fruit production throughout our lives, leading to a cumulative effect of a good end and lasting legacy.

Therefore, it is critical to yield to God’s will, make wise decisions and faithfully persevere from beginning to end. It is in this commitment to go where He leads and do the work at hand that we experience our best life on earth.

And rewards in Heaven (He 11:6).

This is where we experience His “marvelous grace” and a glorious life (2 Th 1:12).

This is limitless living.

Even operating in mighty miracles as His power flowing through us. 

In John 14:12 TPT, Jesus says, “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!”

So, friends, are we willing to believe God at His Word and put action to our faith for what He has called and assigned us to do?

Are we wisely following Jesus, even in the seemingly small things now, knowing those small choices will lead to a big impact over time?

At the end of our lives on earth, will we end up with a good cumulative effect of our choices that will affect others, whose lives are closely connected with ours? 

Since we will be judged by God’s truth, let’s choose beauty over ugly (1 Th 5:15, 22, Jn 12:48).

Let’s choose to follow Jesus on the righteous path of true and everlasting life filled with a constant supply of holy joy that God longs for us to share with Him (1 Th 5:16).

Let’s choose the lavish legacy of Ephesians 1:3 TPT, which says, “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!”

So, friends, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your plan for my life (1 Th 5:18). I repent of following others above You. Help my unbelief. I invite You to get my life more on track with You as my sole Source of life. I invite You to uproot weeds of my soul that try to limit You as Love. “Lord, don’t allow me to make a mess of my life, for I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can” (Ps 119:31 TPT). Help me to trust You and take courage, knowing that You have Your very best for me as Your daughter, Your heir as You prove me worthy. “Place your hands of strength and favor upon me, for I’ve made my choice to follow your ways” (Ps 119:173 TPT). Help me to have a good journey and ending of my life on earth, as I commit to follow You all the way into eternity (Jn 13:36).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen. 

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

Joy: Our Commanded Blessing

1 Thessalonians 5:16 TPT says, “Let joy be your continual feast.”

1 Peter 1:8-9 TPT say, “…through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!”

According to the Tyndale Bible Dictionary, there are two distinct types of joy: One is a feeling, which is not commanded. The other is an action, which is commanded.

In regards to joy being a feeling, this dictionary says, “Joy is a feeling called forth by well-being, success, or good fortune. A person automatically experiences it because of certain favorable circumstances. It cannot be commanded” (Ps 137:1-6).

In regards to joy being an action, this same dictionary says, “There is a joy that Scripture commands. That joy is action that can be engaged in regardless of how the person feels. Joy in adverse circumstances is possible only as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is present in every Christian” (Mt 5:11-12, Phil 4:4, 1 Thes 5:16, Jas 1:2).

Galatians 5:22 TPT affirms this by saying, “But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.”

Limitless, overflowing joy, like all the fruit of the Spirit, is an expression of the love and victory we have in Christ (Ps 21:1).

Romans 5:11 TPT says, “…we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God—all because of Jesus Christ!”

So this divine victory, expressed as joy, is what we have inside of us—sealed in our spirit as believers. And, it can overflow as we rejoice in The Lord, regardless of circumstance.

God greatly honors our intentional choice to rejoice in Him, despite enemy resistance.

Romans 5:2 says, “…as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory,” “incredible joy bursts forth within us.”

Proverbs 28:12 TPT tells us, “The triumphant joy of God’s lovers releases great glory…”

Rejoicing in The Lord honors God, which invites Him to pour out His Spirit, not only through us like a fountain, but also upon us from Heaven above.

I have experienced this many times during praise and worship sessions, especially when my heart’s cry has been desperate.

There’s nothing more overwhelmingly satisfying, joyful and powerful than the tangible, glorious Presence of Almighty God, where all of His fruit is expressed as love.

Psalm 84:10 TPT says, “For just one day of intimacy with you is like a thousand days of joy rolled into one!…”

If you’ve never experienced this level of intimate joy, I invite you to try:

Get alone.

Play some worship music.

Worship God for an hour, focusing entirely on Him.

Then, see what happens.

A breaking through of enemy resistance into a heavenly realm occurs.

In God’s Glory-Presence, even more breakthrough occurs (Ps 35:9, 51:12, 145:7)!

Peace, revelation and healing occurs as the power of God is released.

So, if you need a lift from whatever is weighing you down, rejoice in The Lord.

Joy is our strength.

We know this from Nehemiah 8:10 AMPC, which commands us to, “…be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.”

Friends, we have a decision to make to remain on the side of victory by intentionally choosing to rejoice in The Lord with gladness, no matter what our circumstances or how we feel.

Romans 12:12 TPT encourages us to let our “hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.”

Joy is a mighty weapon—as an escape from enemy traps (Pr 29:6 TPT) and a protective covering that the enemy cannot enter into (Ps 5:11-12 TPT)!

Friends, we have so much to be joyful for, beginning with our salvation. God has seated us in powerful victory. He has the final Word over our circumstances when we trust and obey Him (Ps 28:7, 119:2, 14; Pr 8:32).

Psalm 119:56 TPT reveals, “All this joy is mine as I follow your ways!”

Friends, my prayer for you is this…

Lord, Thank You for revealing to us “the pathways to life” and for filling us with “euphoria” (Acts 2:28 TPT)!

“…Let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy. Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favor wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy” (Ps 5:11-12 TPT)

Lord, May Your strength be our “song of joy. At each and every sunrise,” may the “lyrics of” Your “love fill the air!” May You become our “glory-fortress, a stronghold in” our “day of distress” (Ps 59:16 TPT).

Lord, May Your victory heap blessing after blessing upon us as we rejoice before Your face (Ps 21:6). And, may Your Words of wisdom bring us joy…for Kingdom purposes (Pr 8:34).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

“Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” (Ro 15:13 TPT)!

“Go ahead–sing your brand-new song to the Lord! He is famous for his miracles and marvels, for he is victorious through his mighty power and holy strength” (Ps 98:1 TPT).

To God be the glory!

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.