Matthew 4 - He called, they followed.

Matthew 4:18-22 (HCSB) "As He was walking along the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. "Follow Me," He told them, "and I will make you fish for people!" Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him."

When Jesus called the disciples, they didn't hesitate or delay. They followed him immediately. As Matthew 4:20 says in The Message, "They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed." There was immediate obedience.

I've often wondered why this was. Peter and Andrew may have heard of Jesus by this time, but they didn't even ask, "Why me?" They just dropped everything and left. The same was true with James and John even leaving their father in the boat along with the nets they were mending. They could have said, "We'll follow you, but let us finish mending these nets first." But instead, "they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father." (Matthew 4:22 - The Message).

What do you do when Jesus calls you? For me, it was to run in the other direction. I was afraid of what it would "cost" me. Would I have to be a "Jesus freak?" What would it feel like for people to tell me they didn't want to hear about the God that I was following. And, consider the financial cost. Most pastors are not financially "well off." No, the cost for me was too great, so I ran -- until now.

God has been patient with me and continued to pursue me until finally, I have surrendered to His call on my life to do whatever He asks. I don't yet know what that is or what the "cost" will be, but like the disciples, I need to stop asking questions and simply follow.

In retrospect, I think Peter and the others were glad they did. They got to spend 3 years learning at the feet of the Son of God! They got to see first hand the miracles that he was performing and hear from Him how to live an abundant life.

Take refuge, my friend, when God calls it is worth it to answer without hesitation. And, even if you delay, He will still pursue you because He has a perfect plan for you and He wants the very best for you. Give your life and your will to Him. You can trust Him, He won't lead you astray.

2 Peter 3 - God Is Waiting for You

2 Peter 3:9-12 (HCSB), "The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that [day] the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, [it is clear] what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be on fire and be dissolved, and the elements will melt with the heat."

Peter warns of scoffers who think God isn't coming. And he warns of false teachers who will try to lead us away. But more importantly, he reminds us that, while God doesn't want any to perish, the day is coming when God will say, time's up. What are you doing with the knowledge of Jesus Christ? Have you responded to His call or are you still "thinking about it" and biding your time? Do you know others who are still thinking it over? Have you encouraged them lately to make a decision for Christ?

God is waiting, but the waiting will end. Knowing that, Peter reminds us how to live our lives "in holy conduct and godliness." When others see you, do they see Christ in you?

I could quote dozens of passages here giving examples of what God expects of us and what He has promised us. I challenge you to look through some of the other postings here and see examples of God's promises. But, the real question is, "What are you going to do about it?" Has God called you to a special task that you are not following? Have you chosen to live you life for your self rather than God? When others see you, do they think you look like you are just living in the world or do you look more like you are OF the world? God is waiting patiently "not wanting any to perish." What are you doing with the time?

As Joshua said, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" Joshua 24;15 (NKJV). Now is the time to respond to whatever God is doing in your life. There is no time like the present to put God first and follow wherever He is leading.

Take refuge in the knowledge that wherever you are right now, God will lead you from there. He is waiting for you.

Philemon - A Plea for Onesimus

In Paul's letter to Philemon, he appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Matthew Henry writes in his commentary, "Onesimus was the slave of Philemon: having run away from his master, he went to Rome, where he was converted to the Christian faith, by the word as set forth by Paul, who kept him till his conduct proved the truth and sincerity of his conversion. He wished to repair the injury he had done to his master, but fearing the punishment his offence deserved might be inflicted, he entreated the apostle to write to Philemon."

In respone, Paul appealed to Philemon "... accept him as you would me. And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it" (Philemon 1:17-19a HCSB).

Taking refuge in God is about trusting Him. As Martin Luther said "Even as Christ did for us with God the Father, thus Paul also does for Onesimus with Philemon." Christ accepted the debt for our sin and presented Himself to the Father as the payment for a debt that we could not pay.