JUST FOLLOW JESUS
Meaning what? For many years people have asked what it means to just follow Jesus. People who have been faithful Christian all their lives have asked "What about God?" "What about the Holy Spirit?" One time a small group of educated ministers representing several Christian religions or denominations responded almost in unison, "Is that Christian?" They had to know the scripture where "the followers were called Christians for the first time" Ac 11:26 (IC). Very recently after being told "we just follow Jesus" a Christian man asked "do you believe the bible"? Since Jesus quoted or referred to the bible around a hundred times in His short ministry, many may find this question surprising but the sad truth is most Christians are clueless concerning following Jesus. Jesus provides the best answers as what it means to just follow Jesus.
Jesus says love everyone including "YOUR ENEMIES" Mt 5:44
Jesus says, "FORGIVE OTHERS" Mt 6:14 (GN)
Jesus says, "DON'T JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE" Mt 7:1 (IC)
Jesus says love God "WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND SOUL AND MIND AND STRENGTH" Mk 12:30 (TL)
Jesus says, "DO NOT WORRY" Mt 6:25 (NKJ)
Jesus says, "IF YOU CONTINUE TO OBEY MY TEACHING, YOU ARE TRULY MY FOLLOWERS. THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH. AND THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE" Jn 8:31-32 (IC)
Jesus says, "WHOEVER WANTS TO SERVE ME MUST FOLLOW ME" Jn 12:26 (GN)
No Christian religion - just Jesus
Jesus says, "YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES" Ac 1:8 (NI)
Jesus says to enter the kingdom of heaven, "OBEY MY FATHER IN HEAVEN" Mt 7:21 (TL)
Jesus says, "BELIEVERS WILL … DRIVE OUT DEMONS IN MY NAME" Mk 16:17 (GN)
Jesus says, "YOU WILL ASK IN MY NAME. I AM NOT SAYING THAT I WILL ASK THE FATHER ON YOUR BEHALF" Jn 16:26 (NI)
Jesus says, "NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAWS HIM" Jn 6:44 (NI)
Jesus says, "THIS … IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY" Mt 6:9 (NI) and then Jesus gave us a prayer to pray to "OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN…"
When Jesus took the bread and again when He took the cup, He said do this "TO REMEMBER ME" 1 Co 11:24-25 (IC)
No Christian doctrine - just Jesus
Jesus says believers "WILL PLACE THEIR HANDS ON SICK PEOPLE, AND THESE WILL GET WELL" Mk 16:17-18 (GN)
Jesus says, "GOD LOVED THE WORLD SO MUCH THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM MAY NOT DIE BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE" Jn 3:16 (GN) we can keep living forever
Jesus says, "NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME" Jn 14:6 (NKJ)
For eternal life, Jesus first response is "OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS" Mt 19:16 (NI)
Jesus says, "CONTINUE TO ASK, AND GOD WILL GIVE TO YOU" Mt 7:7 (IC)
Jesus says, "THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME WILL DO WHAT I DO" Jn 14:12 (GN)
Jesus says, "I HAVE GIVEN YOU AUTHORITY TO … OVERCOME ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY; NOTHING WILL HARM YOU." Lk 10:19 (NI)
The preceding words from Jesus may help bring an understanding of what it means to put aside Christianity and just be a Follower of Jesus.
note: click here for bible verse and translation abbreviations
A Psalm for reflection "Yahweh declared to my Lord, "TAKE YOUR SEAT AT MY RIGHT HAND TILL I HAVE MADE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL". Ps 110:1 (NJ)
Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
Last week we talked about how events can trigger issues resulting in an argument. For example if money is an issue and the event of a bill coming might trigger an argument. There are also hidden issues. Many years ago I knew a man who grossed over a million dollars a year and yet had money issues with his spouse, including taking her credit cards away. There could have been a hidden issue of controlling. Wanting to control the money or control his spouse. Hidden issues can be powerful issues that partners are unaware of, unable to talk about, or unwilling to talk about. Spinning your wheels in a conversation, avoidance and trivial triggers can reflect hidden issues. Hidden Issues often respond best to open, safe, and clear communication as found by using the Speaker Listener Technique. As a spouse, being sensitive to possible hidden issues such as controlling, caring, acceptance, integrity, commitment, recognition, etc. can help you in your relationship. For example, if acceptance/rejection is a possible hidden issue, you can be careful not to say anything that might trigger this hidden issue, like threaten divorce.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). Although in this situation, with hidden issues, communication is difficult, as a spouse, being sensitive to possible hidden issues such as controlling, caring, acceptance, integrity, commitment, recognition, etc. can help you in your relationship. . For example, if acceptance/rejection is a possible hidden issue, you can be careful not to say anything that might trigger this hidden issue, like threaten divorce. If you aware of a possible hidden issue like acceptance/ rejection in your relationship pray for God to guide you what to say that might make your spouse feel more accepted. Also you may pray for God to guide you regarding any hidden issues in your life and help you overcome them. When a spouse calls "time out", it is an opportunity for a couple to calm down before continuing the conversation at a later time (anywhere from an hour to no later than the next day) using the Speaker Listener Technique. Initially after calling time out it is an opportunity to take authority over the enemy and pray for the marriage. Example: "In the name of Jesus I command you demons to shut up and leave our marriage and not return" "Thank you God for helping our marriage be in Your will and guiding us in our relationship, in Jesus name, amen." When a spouse will not cooperate, you can still take authority over the enemy and pray for your marriage.
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