I have decided to follow Jesus
We often sing the song “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back….” But how many of us mean what we sang?
Joshua 14:6-15
From the day Caleb and Joshua were sent to spy the Promise Land, it has been 45 years. Now 45 years has past, yet Caleb said “11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.”
Today we hear many Christians, in the beginning they were on fire for the Lord. They are willing to do anything for the Lord, even risk their life. Unfortunately, this passion die off as the years past by. Sad to say, many became backslidden. Their first love for Jesus has long ago disappeared.
In the Book of Revelation 2:1-7, we see the same thing happen to the Church of Ephesians. The Lord rebuked them, not because they do not have church activities, not because they do all kind of evil. But rather their religious activities had become a ritual. They have lost their first love.
In Revelation 2:14-19, the Lord rebuked the Church of Laodicea because they have turned to be lukewarm Christians; neither hot nor cold. Hear what the Lord said to them “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
What is the desire of God in His heart toward us? Lets hear what he said to the Church of Smyrna “….Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev 2:10.
He wants us to be faithful!
A church, a home, a company, even a relationship, can not be built by unfaithful people.
While He was still with His disciples, Jesus said "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62.
What is the secret of Caleb’s strength? His zeal and his passion are as strong as the day when he first sent by Moses to spy the Promise Land.
The Bible says, He followed the Lord his God wholeheartedly.
See Joshua 14:8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.
Jesus said “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13.
A story of a faithful dog
If you were to visit Shibuya Train Station in Tokyo today, you will definitely see a statue of Hachiko, the loyal dog. In 1934, the famous artist Ando Teru was commissioned to build this bronzed sculpture, in remembrance of Hachiko. But it was melted down during the war. After the war, Hachiko was hardly forgotten. In 1948, The Society For Recreating The Hachiko Statue commissioned Ando Tekeshi, son of the original artist to make a second statue.
Why was this dog was honored in such manner. It was because of his loyalty to his master, Mr Eisaburo Uyeno, a professor at the Imperial University. Each day, “Hachi” would accompany Eisaburo to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill o the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.
Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and master was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya Station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn’t return home for days at a stretch.
He kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.
Friends, if a dog can be so loyal and faithful to his master. How about us toward our Master, who has died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. But sad to say, many Christians were so willing to desert their Savior to pursue their personal dreams.
What is there to compare the Love of Jesus for us? For Paul, he has determined in his heart to follow Jesus no matter what. As he said “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”. Phil 1:21.
And at the final age of his life he said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7.
Joshua 14:6-15
From the day Caleb and Joshua were sent to spy the Promise Land, it has been 45 years. Now 45 years has past, yet Caleb said “11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.”
Today we hear many Christians, in the beginning they were on fire for the Lord. They are willing to do anything for the Lord, even risk their life. Unfortunately, this passion die off as the years past by. Sad to say, many became backslidden. Their first love for Jesus has long ago disappeared.
In the Book of Revelation 2:1-7, we see the same thing happen to the Church of Ephesians. The Lord rebuked them, not because they do not have church activities, not because they do all kind of evil. But rather their religious activities had become a ritual. They have lost their first love.
In Revelation 2:14-19, the Lord rebuked the Church of Laodicea because they have turned to be lukewarm Christians; neither hot nor cold. Hear what the Lord said to them “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
What is the desire of God in His heart toward us? Lets hear what he said to the Church of Smyrna “….Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev 2:10.
He wants us to be faithful!
A church, a home, a company, even a relationship, can not be built by unfaithful people.
While He was still with His disciples, Jesus said "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62.
What is the secret of Caleb’s strength? His zeal and his passion are as strong as the day when he first sent by Moses to spy the Promise Land.
The Bible says, He followed the Lord his God wholeheartedly.
See Joshua 14:8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.
Jesus said “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13.
A story of a faithful dog
If you were to visit Shibuya Train Station in Tokyo today, you will definitely see a statue of Hachiko, the loyal dog. In 1934, the famous artist Ando Teru was commissioned to build this bronzed sculpture, in remembrance of Hachiko. But it was melted down during the war. After the war, Hachiko was hardly forgotten. In 1948, The Society For Recreating The Hachiko Statue commissioned Ando Tekeshi, son of the original artist to make a second statue.
Why was this dog was honored in such manner. It was because of his loyalty to his master, Mr Eisaburo Uyeno, a professor at the Imperial University. Each day, “Hachi” would accompany Eisaburo to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill o the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.
Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and master was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya Station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn’t return home for days at a stretch.
He kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.
Friends, if a dog can be so loyal and faithful to his master. How about us toward our Master, who has died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. But sad to say, many Christians were so willing to desert their Savior to pursue their personal dreams.
What is there to compare the Love of Jesus for us? For Paul, he has determined in his heart to follow Jesus no matter what. As he said “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”. Phil 1:21.
And at the final age of his life he said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7.
I pray everyone of us would finally say the same thing, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
And be faithful even to the point of death.
Amen.
posted by talk2sion @ 7:51 PM
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