In His Footsteps…

You have lived a little, haven’t you? What have you learned from this life? Have you had your fill of the world? Is there still something in this life that you yearn for? Is there something that you still desire to do? Maybe it’s not that at all, huh? Maybe, just maybe, you’re ready to throw in the towel. You’ve realized it’s not worth it. You’re too old, too tired, too broken.

Perhaps you’re still running after that degree you haven’t finished; or is it that nice car you’ve always wanted to drive? Maybe you’re dissatisfied with your marriage or your singleness. Perhaps you’re struggling with overeating, overspending or overtalking. Everything around you seems to bother you and you just don’t know how to get out of this vortex you’ve gotten yourself into.

Well, welcome to the world! Rough welcome, huh? J Sometimes it’s hard to believe that what we have been given in Christ, if you are a member of the Kingdom of God, is abundant life:

(John 10:10 NASB) “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” “Where is it?”, you ask. Perhaps you’ve allowed the thief to steal it, take it and destroy it! Maybe you have let the accuser rob you of the promise God has given those who have obeyed the Gospel! Who do you believe: Satan, or Jesus? Has Satan been whispering in your ear? Are you listening to him, or to your King?

(Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 GWT) “There is nothing better for people to do than to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in their work. I saw that even this comes from the hand of God. {25} Who can eat or enjoy themselves without God? {26} God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to anyone who pleases him. But to the person who continues to sin, he gives the job of gathering and collecting <wealth>. The sinner must turn his wealth over to the person who pleases God. Even this is pointless. <It’s like> trying to catch the wind.”

The only thing that can satisfy you is a relationship with God. Even having and/or experiencing everything under the sun cannot take the place of a relationship with God. The riches that we have in Christ are wisdom, knowledge and joy — not anything material. Material things are blessings that come to us by God’s hand. However, these are not to be compared to the true riches we have in Christ. Wisdom, knowledge and joy are the mark of a person who pleases God and finds pleasure in his relationship with God.

(Matthew 6:19-21 GWT) “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. {20} Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal. {21} Your heart will be where your treasure is.”

What is your treasure? Are you still trying to look for it? Do you think you’ll find it in something, somewhere or someone? When are you going to set your heart on the gifts God has given you already in Christ? Wisdom, knowledge and joy are things that cannot rust or be damaged. Isn’t it amazing that we are always trying to hunt for these things as if it was something we could find? We have them in Christ! Again, let’s look at:

(John 10:10 NIV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

“To the full” = perissos (Greek), meaning exceedingly abundant. Beyond the norm! Not only abundant physical life (Philippians 4:19) but abundant spiritual favor (2 Corinthians 9:8). We therefore will show this abundance by the good works that will abide in us abundantly!

(Philippians 4:19 GWT) “My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.”

(2 Corinthians 9:8 GWT) “Besides, God will give you his constantly overflowing kindness. Then, when you always have everything you need, you can do more and more good things.”

Do you believe Jesus has given you that life? Are you in possession of this knowledge, this wisdom and this joy? Jesus teaches us what this life is all about and how we are “blessed” when we follow In His Footsteps. These gifts, these treasures — are a by-product of obedience and submission to Christ, not things to pursue or gain on your own. Jesus teaches us that we need to give ourselves up ENTIRELY to learn what the abundant life is all about:

(Matthew 11:28-30 GWT) “”Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. {29} Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves {30} because my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””

Are you ready to experience this journey where Jesus will personally show you what holy and joyful living is all about, from His Word? Are you ready to WALK In His Footsteps? We are plunging into the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6 and 7) in this 1998. That is, if He doesn’t come sooner to take us home with Him! J We are studying the Beatitudes (The Way of the Cross), where Jesus promises that we ARE blessed (Greek makarios = extremely happy, state of bliss, fulfilled) when we ARE these Kingdom people that He describes in Matthew chapter 5.

Join us in this blessed journey!

The In His Footsteps Team: Pedro Gelabert Lynn Decker Suzanne Decker

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