Rapture Ready: Follow Christ

Matthew 4:19, “And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

When Christ said the words follow me, he did not mean, follow me after you’ve done your chores and work for the week or follow me when it is convenient for you to do so.  Christ wanted his disciples to drop everything, deny themselves and follow him.

We have also learned from scriptures that upon meeting with his disciples Christ always said, “…follow me...” Although Christ is not with us in the flesh body he still approaches and meets with us also. When the spirit directs us toward reading our Bible that is Christ approaching us.  When the spirit chastises us for being in error Christ is meeting with us. When we arise early to spend time in His presence Christ is knocking at our door. Therefore, we must be alert everyday so when we hear that knock we can answer.

Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Matthew 16:24-25, “…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

What is meant by denying ourselves? It certainly doesn’t mean starving yourself or neglecting your daily elements of living. Nor does it mean sitting in a corner waiting for Christ to return. When we deny ourselves we continue striving toward the kingdom of the Most High when our flesh would rather do something else. 

It’s fervently staying in prayer though at times our flesh may want to watch television. When a person denies themselves they take no thought to the cares and lusts of this world; for our eyes are focused on the New World to come. In the process we use the talents and gifts that the Most High has given us and the means that he has provided for us in order to spread the gospel of the kingdom.

When we deny ourselves we are humbled in the presence of the Most High God. And to be humble doesn’t mean weak; rather knowing when to make your point heard and when to keep quiet.  Oftentimes, we’ll know someone who has to “tell it like it is”, to the world, this may be a great quality. But in the kingdom and to someone striving toward the kingdom, this displays a lack of the presence of the Most High within.

When we are humbled we leave our door open for those who may be going through adversity, rather than setting the record straight. When we are humbled we have our ears attuned for those who may need to talk, rather than lecture to them beforehand. When we are humbled, we don’t desire to get the last word. We often simply say, “You’re right,” rather to engage.

When we are humbled we understand that each person has their way of viewing this world and we observe rather than trying to make them see things our way. When we are humbled we understand that people make mistakes rather than attempting to display perfection within ourselves. When we are humbled, the Most High gives us the gift of sensing the intentions of others while communicating with them.

When our focus is on Christ, we no longer focus on what someone does, did or did not do. We understand that people have their reasons for their actions rather passive or aggressive. Our focus tends to lead toward the inner-being rather than the outward appearance.

James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Wherefore he said, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.”

One of my rich relatives recently made a statement about his cousin being a hustler. Stating that was all he was and that was all he would ever be in life. Well, here’s the deal, once you begin on the narrow path of Christ you don’t see your cousin the hustler. For hustling is what he does, it’s not who he is.

On the path of Christ we begin to innerstand life. As the seasons come and go, the greater grows the strain of this world. There are many circumstances, usually centered on unfairness, that get us into unpleasant lifestyles or situations.

It amazes me how a rich person is honored more than the poor and the sinner is respected more than the righteous. When will there be a harvest for the world?

Luke 18:24-25, “…How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Surely Christ hasn’t stated that no rich person will enter into the kingdom. He said it’s hard for them to enter. For where their riches are there’s the heart also. From what I observe in this earthly kingdom most that are rich are very disconnected with humanity as a whole. Other people’s circumstances and what they go through on a daily basis.

Isaiah 2:11, “The proud looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness (pride) of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.”

Many people are suffering on the streets without food, shelter, and clothing. Men and women, young and old, wondering if yesterday’s meal was their last and what child will not eat today or which one of their children will have to sacrifice their meal. 

I’m a strong believer that every homeless person we encounter is not a homeless person; but rather an angel in disguise. But when you give from the heart your reward in the kingdom grows. Not giving because you assume they may be an angel but because the spirit of compassion has moved you to give.

I’m also a believer in the notion that not everyone who crosses our path is just an encounter but rather an angel in disguise or an angel in the making who is testing our faith.

“Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

When we connect with the spirit of a person we no longer view them with blind eyes. We see the areas that need attention, the areas that shine, along with the hidden. This is one of the greatest gifts of the Spirit.

I’m reminded of the story of Christ at Jacob’s well with the Samaritan woman, John 4:15-19, “Christ saith unto her, Go call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.”

Christ had strong discernment in others through the Spirit of Truth and he never judged but rather discerned the truth through the heavenly Father’s Word.  Today, most have changed the word discernment into psychic abilities. Whereas psychic abilities have a familiar spirit and discernment walks with the Spirit of Truth sent by the Most High God.

For those who may fall short in this area, simply ask the Most High to search your heart and to remove the error of pride. It is best to practice humility while there is Light, rather than to wait until the Light is no longer visible.

Once we have accepted the invitation to follow Christ we must be awake and sober at all times. For the adversary that never sleeps is always plotting the next move. We battle spiritual warfare every single day. The adversary knows all too well what our weaknesses and pet peeves are and will use them as tools to make us fall short.

I’m reminded of a conversation I had with my uncle who stated, “If people would allow me to converse on the phone with them for three minutes, five minutes tops, they would hear from me more!”

Our pet peeves and shortcomings attend to magnify when we are about the Most High’s business. My telephone may not ring all morning; however, at 1:00 p.m. when I decide to read the gospel of kingdom, meditate on the kingdom, or write about the kingdom, the phone will ring. Nevertheless, we must innerstand the world that we are living in and be of good cheer while keeping on eyes on the goal at hand.

While we are on this path we may feel a bit distant from some of our friends or family members because our way of life now is not their way of life. There will be times when the jokes simply aren’t funny anymore, the confusion, gossip and strife that goes on between individuals is no longer interesting.

As a follower of Christ we must always be able to hear from the Most High. If there is too much debris and minute things going on in and around us, hearing from our Father will become.

What we aim for now are spiritual and clear thoughts; and a harmonious relationship with people. Those things that we once enjoyed or loved in this earthly kingdom world cannot compare to the gospel of the kingdom. For his kingdom is not of this world; therefore, our love is not for this world, but for our Father’s kingdom.

Matthew 19:29, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sister, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

Satan's Kingdom