“If we change directions with our heart first, then our feet (lives) will follow.” Jeff Johnson May 2008 This BLOG, Monday – Friday is motivational; Sunday’s BLOG is inspirational. Enjoy & Share it.
In the first four books of the New Testament we read how JESUS called HIS disciples to service. In all accounts JESUS would walk up to them in the middle of their daily jobs and tasks and would gently say, “Come follow me.” By all accounts the disciples would drop everything, leaving their nets in the sea, stopping their work, and started following as directed. Many times
I ask myself, ‘were the disciples looking for a new job when Jesus called? Were they bored with their lives and did not care what change was in store when the MASTER called? These questions are easy to answer when we look at changing directions instructions from the scriptures.
We learn in Matthew 4:23-25, that JESUS went around to many places teaching, healing diseases, and talking about how there was a NEW KINGDOM for them. Word spread quickly throughout the country. Everyone wanted to know more about JESUS, HIS message, and the miracles performed on people who believed. People wanted change in their lives, so they started SEEKING ways to change. The first step to changing directions is to SEEK. We are starting movement by seeking—no longer stagnate.
The second step to changing directions is to DEVELOP A DESIRE to follow a direction. 1 Corinthian 14:1 "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts." Having a DESIRE to SEEK the right things—LOVE and SPIRITUAL gifts gives meaning to the heart and direction to our search. SEEKERS will look in many directions which is the first step, desire is when our heart has found something to pursue, and this is when change begins.
The third step we will cover here is TRAINING our ears to follow the right things. John 10: 27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5
But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." The disciples knew the voice of the MASTER, maybe not from having attended HIS teachings, but from SEEKING and DESIRING to have JESUS in their hearts and lives. When the MASTER called verbally, their hearts already knew this was the way. Dropping everything was not an issue because their hearts already knew HIS voice—it was not a stranger to them. When we have “heartfelt” devotion, everything is secondary to the cause and purpose.
JESUS gives us the way to change our path and follow HIM in Matthew 22 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.” Following the path to change begins with the heart through LOVE. The questions asked in the beginning are simple, the disciples were not bored, were not looking for a new job, they were loving themselves and wanted to share it. JESUS voice called their hearts first, then they followed when HE called again. SEEK, DESIRE, and LEARN HIS VOICE, because JESUS is calling YOU, for who you are now—let your heart guide you to the voice you already recognize---HIS.
I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff
“If we change directions with our heart first, then our feet (lives) will follow.” Jeff Johnson May 2008
I ask myself, ‘were the disciples looking for a new job when Jesus called? Were they bored with their lives and did not care what change was in store when the MASTER called? These questions are easy to answer when we look at changing directions instructions from the scriptures.
But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." The disciples knew the voice of the MASTER, maybe not from having attended HIS teachings, but from SEEKING and DESIRING to have JESUS in their hearts and lives. When the MASTER called verbally, their hearts already knew this was the way. Dropping everything was not an issue because their hearts already knew HIS voice—it was not a stranger to them. When we have “heartfelt” devotion, everything is secondary to the cause and purpose. 
2 comments:
Few years ago, I knew I needed to be in another place. I prayed about it, and I allowed God to take control of the stirring wheel. The road I traveled wasn't easy in the beginning, it was rough, lots of turns, it was tricky. I reached the destination and realized I had fun all along. I am glad I followed. It's all worth it !
jeff--you write and we all get blessed. The writing is calear. The insights are ministry for us. Thanks
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