Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 Reading for the Day: Matt. 5-6 and Acts 7-9 Focus on Matthew 5
An interesting detail from the Sermon on the Mount is at the very beginning we're told that Jesus went up on a mountain. In other words, if anyone wanted to hear what Jesus had to say that day, they had to CLIMB a mountain. Sometimes Jesus is portrayed as "sweet and nice." Jesus was far from sweet and nice. He expected those who wanted to follow Him to make a serious commitment. Yes, Jesus healed those who had no commitment to Him. He fed the hungry regardless of their level of commitment to Him, but those who would be His disciples, His followers, He expected to "climb a mountainside," He expected (and still expects!) to press forward in Him. I once heard Tony Campolo say something like this: When we look back on this generation of Christians, (he made the comment in the 1980's) it will not be said that too much was expected of us, but too little. The New Testament Challenge is in keeping with Jesus' challenge for His followers to offer our best effort for Him. I encourage you to keep up with the readings, to be part of a L.I.F.E. Home group if you can and to be in worship every Sunday. Those aren't big commitments, but small daily commitments (such as climbing a mountain to hear Jesus!) added together over time make for a life of discipleship that deepens our faith, and increases Jesus' credibility to those around us who see us putting Him first.
Heavenly Father, I commit myself to putting You first in all I think say and do today! Fill me with Your Holy spirit that I may fulfill my role as a follower of Jesus--to love Him with everything I am, and to use all I have to help others know and love Him, too. This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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