‘People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.’ Matthew 3:5-6(NLT)
‘The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.’ Psalms 23:1-6(NLT)
When we follow the Lord in obedience, we set off on a journey, not knowing where the Lord will take us. We may have a destination in mind, but we certainly are not in control of the outcome. If we are smart, we soon realize that someone has gone before us — one who has opened and closed doors, laid a path before us, and quietly led us on a journey. If we don’t venture out, however, we will never know what we missed. We will never get to our destination.
You must be willing to leave in order to follow. The goal is to pack light, to leave as much stuff and extra baggage — all the things we think we need — behind as possible in order to follow Jesus fully. Sometimes, if we are slow to follow, reluctant to surrender, or unwilling to submit, it can take a lifetime to make a few small steps. Yet when we humble ourselves and submit to Him in every way, we enter into the precious, magnificent inner chambers of the kingdom of God, where nothing in this world can ever compare.
Are you ready for a journey? Are you ready to seek and discover what the Lord has said in His Word, to understand His heart, and to know Him better than ever before? Journey to the Jordan and find Jesus there.
PRAISE HIM
Begin by praising God and meditating on who He is. You can use Psalm 23:1-6 as inspiration.
ADMIT TO HIM
Confess to the Lord any things that you don’t want to leave in order to follow Him. Are you afraid of where He might call you to go? Of what He might call you to give up? What, if any, are your fears of the unknown?
THANK HIM
Take time now to thank Him for His willingness to be your all in all, to always be there for you, and to be everything you need.
ASK HIM
Ask Him now, in faith, without reservation, for his help in any and every area of your life. Lay your burdens, your heartaches, your comforts, and your pleasures down at His feet.
TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Choose one truth from today and apply it to your heart. Take it with you throughout the day.
from Jesus, I Need You Part 3