A Great Follower

June 16

Come, follow me.

Matthew 4:19

Jesse was in his senior year of high school and still hadn’t gained acceptance to

one of the three major colleges on his wish list. He’d sent applications to two of

the three but had been denied admittance due to what they stated was “a lack

of leadership quality.”

Deciding to try a different approach with the third school, he wrote on

his application that he was quite sure they were looking for students who were

great leaders. “Eventually I hope to become a great leader. However,” he wrote,

“I am a great follower.” Depositing the envelope in the mailbox, he began the

tedious wait for their response.

Three weeks later, his father handed him a letter that had arrived that

morning. It was his response from the third school. Looking at it with appre-

hension, he felt this was his last opportunity for acceptance into an Ivy League

college. Slowly, he opened the envelope, pulled the letter from it, and read his

fate. “We are happy to announce that we have several openings for followers.

We were inundated this year with applications from great leaders and needed

to fill the requirements for each category. We congratulate you on your accep-

tance for enrollment.”

Jesse smiled at the amusing response his comment had elicited.

h

Jesus wasn’t looking for great leaders when he called the Twelve. And it’s a

good thing for us they didn’t need to be. They were ordinary men with their

own faults, yet they each had something that Jesus saw and intended to nurture.

If leadership skills were a requirement, then most likely none of them

would have qualified for the position of apostle.

What a lesson for us! These ordinary men couldn’t lead anyone anywhere

when Jesus first asked them to leave everything behind and follow him. Yet

each one of them dropped everything, deciding to see what this Man could

show them.

They were the epitome of the term follower. And over the next three years,

they were transformed into great leaders who changed the world.

Before we can become great leaders, we must learn to be great followers.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, take my hand and lead me. I

want to be a great follower. Amen.”

 Outside the Boat

June 15

Come.

Matthew 14:29

Standing in water up to his chest, Shamar encouraged his young son to jump

into his arms. Standing along the edge at the deep end of the pool, Jamal was

having second thoughts. Looking down at the water, he was suddenly worried.

The shallow end was one thing; this was completely different! “I don’t know,

Daddy,” Jamal began. “It’s so deep. I’m afraid!”

“It’s okay, Jamal. To be afraid, I mean. I was scared the first time I jumped

off the end of the dock into your grandpa’s arms at the pond on his farm.

Grandpa understood my apprehension. He promised that he wouldn’t let any-

thing bad happen to me and that he would not let me drown. And I won’t let

anything bad happen either, buddy!” Shamar promised. “If you want to wait,

it’s okay. But I’m sure you can handle it. Just make up your mind to do it and

jump! Come on, Jamal. You can do it,” he encouraged.

You could see that Jamal had come to a decision. “Okay, Daddy. I trust you.

Here goes!” he hollered. And with that, Jamal launched himself off the side of

the pool and into a new level of faith.

h

Faith is grown experientially. We all face difficult decisions. Our response will

be determined by our faith in Jesus. Peter is remembered more for sinking in

doubt than for the steps he took outside the boat. Yet he was the only disciple

with enough faith to try! He knew that when Jesus said, “Come,” things would

be okay. He didn’t think to ask how many steps Jesus would ensure. He didn’t

ask if his action would end in drowning. He simply stepped out of the boat.

Jesus is looking for those who would resolve in faith to discover how far

they can walk with Him outside the boat. It’s easy to remain faithful with

assurance all around. It’s another matter completely to take each step not

knowing where our foot will land. Jesus bids us, “Come.”

Prayer

“Sometimes I’m afraid, Papa. Help me answer Your

call with obedience built in faith. Cause my heart to

be strong in those moments of decision. Reach for me

as I step outside the boat. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Water Level

June 14

But Christ is faithful … and we are his house.

Hebrews 3:6

The new house had been delivered, and Dick had been given the job of build-

ing the piers upon which it would rest. As he loaded the truck, he noticed he

was missing the one item he needed most. Not finding it in the shop, he called

his boss. “Hey, Bob, do you know where the water level is?”

“The pieces are in the closet in my office,” he directed.

Retrieving the items used to construct the tool, Dick headed for the site

to complete the setup. Arriving on site, he put together the pieces that made

up the water level. Once set up, this unique tool gave Dick the perfect point of

reference without having to run a line level or set up a transit.

Dick began building twenty-four piers made of eight-by-sixteen-inch cin-

der blocks, positioning two side by side, and cross-stacking them four high.

Then, using solid oak lumber and shims to fine-tune each one, he completed

the erection of each pier. Two hours after he’d begun, the crane lifted the first

half of the house into position, setting it down on twelve of the piers without a

hitch. An hour later, the second half was sitting beside the first. As soon as he

completed the interior work and connected utilities, the family could move in.

h

A simple tool, yet extremely accurate, the water level provides a perfect point of

reference to work by. The manufactured housing industry employs it because it

is the most accurate tool available to ensure each pier is the exact same height.

Without it, eventually the house would sag in the low spots and heave in the

high spots, causing the interior walls to buckle. Doors would refuse to open or

close, and the customer would become disgruntled.

Verse 4 of today’s text says, “For every house is built by someone … ” If we

use anyone other than Jesus as the builder of our spiritual house, it will sag and

buckle. Only by using Jesus as our true point of reference can we hope to rest

on a secure foundation during the storms of life.

Prayer

“Lord, teach me to use Jesus as the foundation on which

I live. Keep me from using substitute reference points

that would lead to destruction. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Necessary Corrections

June 13

A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred

lashes a fool.

Proverbs 17:10

It was his seventh day in population, and he was standing at his cell door for

the midday count. Three times each day, the inmates were required to stand at

their cell doors while guards established their presence.

It hadn’t taken him long to learn to be at the barred door for count. The

guards hated it when things didn’t run smoothly. If you caused problems, it cost

you. If an inmate wasn’t present for count, he would incur the guards’ wrath.

It was amazing how some inmates would deliberately lay in their bunks, in

direct violation of the regulations. They knew the guards would punish them,

but something within them wouldn’t allow them to conform.

Troublemakers were given the most demeaning work in an effort to cor-

rect their behavior. This process was repeated until it broke their will. He’d

found out on his second day when he’d overslept that morning’s count. His

sack time had cost him scrub time on the mess hall floors with only a hand

brush and a bucket for company.

In three short days, he’d come to understand what the guards had told

him: “You’re here because you can’t follow the rules. You are full of pride. We

will assist you in making the necessary corrections.”

h

We discipline our children; we punish those who refuse to obey the law. When

order is replaced by chaos, necessary steps must be taken to restore stability.

When simple discipline fails, corrective measures must be taken to achieve the

desired results.

Solomon attributes a spirit of discerning wisdom to those who receive

discipline and make the necessary corrections. Similarly, he calls those who set

themselves up against authority fools. It would seem our pride and an inner

need to control our circumstances stand between us and a peace-filled life.

Pride is one of the worst forms of rebellion and one of the most destructive.

Our rebellious behavior steals our peace, leaving us with a choice whether

to respond and make the necessary corrections or continue on in frustration.

Prayer

“Help me rid myself of pride, Lord. I give You

permission to make the necessary corrections that will

restore peace in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 That’ll Never Happen!

June 12

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the

folly of fools is deception.

Proverbs 14:8

“It’s not a good idea, Granger,” Steve said adamantly. “Your parents said no

parties. What happens when they find out?”

Eddie Granger looked at his friend with a pained expression, “You’re

jokin’ … right?! Besides, that’ll never happen! They’re seventeen hundred miles

away on some secluded beach. They never caught me before!” he bragged.

So Eddie planned what he hoped would be the party of the year. After

nailing down the details, he sent a mass-text, inviting everyone he knew.

Later that evening, with the party in full swing, Eddie took stock of his

surroundings. There was plenty of alcohol and even some pot making the

rounds. He was pleased with himself. There must be well over two hundred people here! he thought to himself. I can’t believe Steve didn’t come! Oh well, his loss!

A short while later, while enjoying the fruits of his labor, Eddie noticed

it had suddenly gotten quiet. This realization was followed immediately by a

familiar voice asking, “Where’s my son?! Eddie?! Eddie! Where are you?!!!” his

father hollered. Nooooo! What are they doing here?! They’re not supposed to be home

until Sunday!

h

Eddie never figured on getting caught. He was so sure his parents wouldn’t

find out. Never is a fool’s favorite word. It allows them to think only in terms

of fulfilling insatiable desires and instant gratification, and keeps them from

taking into account the possibility of undesirable consequences due to decep-

tive behavior.

Luke 12:2 says, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or

hidden that will not be made known.” Our deception will be found out; if not

immediately or publicly, then somewhere down the road. Our actions will not

go unnoticed … or be inconsequential.

Sometimes it’s hard doing the right thing; that’s the nature of tempta-

tion. But doing what is right is always the best choice. When faced with tough

choices we can either do as Eddie, eventually reaping destruction, or Steve,

maintaining a clear conscience and avoiding unnecessary trouble. God expects

us to put some thought into our actions.

Prayer

“Help me give thought to my ways, Lord. Guide

my steps so I can avoid unnecessary and pain-

filled consequences. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 High Anxiety

June 11

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with … the anxieties

of life.

Luke 21:34

Nothing seemed to faze Merrill. “How can this not frustrate you?!” Vera

demanded, more than a little irritated with her husband. “We owe the govern-

ment 2,402 dollars, and you act as though things will be fine and everything

will work out just peachy! Just where do you think we’re going to get that kind

of money on such short notice?”

“Vera, there’s no need to get so worked up when something comes along

unexpectedly.” Merrill said quietly, trying to reason with his wife. “The world’s

not coming to an end.”

“I can’t believe this doesn’t make you angry!” Vera was angry that Merrill

was always able to take things in stride and remain calm, while she always

stressed out over unforeseen events.

“Honey, right now, I’m not sure about this letter,” he said, rereading it. “But

fretting about it won’t help. You know,” he paused, “as I think about it, I’m not

so sure we owe them anything. I’ll call Barry and see what he thinks.” And with

that, Merrill picked up the phone and dialed his tax attorney’s number. In less

than five minutes Barry was able to ascertain that the IRS letter was in error.

Vera’s anxiety had been all for nothing.

h

There are an innumerable amount of stressors in this world, most of which

do not promote good health. Each one can induce a sense of instability, and

anxiety; they can even release adrenaline into the bloodstream, causing our

heart rate to accelerate!

Jesus suggests we learn to guard ourselves from unnecessary emotion; to

remain alert to the things that matter, yet not become anxious over unantici-

pated events.

An apprehensive attitude leaves no room for peace or joy and hinders the

Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

We can’t predict the future. However, we can control our response to those

things which catch us by surprise. If this is something you struggle with, ask

God to quiet your heart and give you an optimistic outlook.

Prayer

“Calm my heart, Lord. Help me learn to take things in

stride and allow Your Spirit to work in my life. Cause

me to sense when I am relinquishing control to the

enemy so I can reclaim it. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Be Prepared

June 10

Be prepared in season and out of season … to discharge all the duties

of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:2, 5

Of the one hundred twenty-one merit badges young men can earn in the

Boy Scouts, Lincoln had amassed ninety-five total badges. Each badge had

increased his experience, knowledge, and skill in a specific discipline, spanning

a broad spectrum from American business to woodworking. Lincoln needed

only one more mandatory badge to meet the twelve-of-fifteen badge require-

ment necessary to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Today’s review for his Citi-

zenship in the World merit badge would complete that objective.

However, unlike prior reviews, where he’d studied and restudied the rel-

evant material, Lincoln hadn’t spent much time preparing for this badge. He’d

been pressed for time and had assumed he would be alright with a cursory

examination of the issues. Finding he was unprepared, he approached his

counselor, “I’m sorry, Mr. Barns. I’ve been so busy that I didn’t take time to

review the subject matter on international law,” he admitted. “Can I please

reschedule this review?”

“Alright, Lincoln, we’ll reschedule for next week,” Mr. Barns agreed. Then

he added, “And when you come next week, do as our motto says: Be Prepared.”

Following a week of intense study, Lincoln passed his review, obtaining

the rank of Eagle Scout. At the badge presentation, Mr. Barns spoke of the

rescheduling, and the importance of being prepared, “Because you never know

what life might bring.”

h

Like Lincoln, many of us put off preparing for upcoming events, relying on

present knowledge to carry us through, sighting busyness as the reason for our

lapse in judgment. The truth is … we will make time for those things which are

important to us. Un-preparedness, conscious or otherwise, will cause us to fail

the testing of such knowledge.

Paul’s charge to Timothy was that he be prepared for every eventuality in

order that he might be able to discharge all the duties of his ministry.

Put in perspective: our failure to prepare may not only have us asking for

a redo, we could very well miss an opportunity to minister to someone else.

Prayer

“Lord, show me what I need to focus on today to be

ready for what comes my way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”