Friday, January 22

"And you... who do YOU say that I am?"

Note: After reading the discussion guide, simply click on the title. Then scroll down and you'll see a comment box... along with the comments others have already posted. It'll allow you to post straight to the page, and to respond to one another much easier! If you don't have a Google or Facebook account just select “Guest” and you can post right away! Please be sure to add your name at the end :) Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions! Love, Mary

Friday, January 22

Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, January 22, 2010

Dear... everyone. :)

Today I'm writing a letter, because I feel like chatting. (Don't I always...)

I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I'm praying for each of you, and so look forward to “talking” with each of you every day as we study this INCREDIBLE gift of God's word that we've been blessed beyond measure with! Before digging in, have you met with Him in prayer today? Please take some time to do that. After-all, we can't follow someone without inviting them to lead.

I've got something really exciting on my mind that I'd like to talk with you about today. We've been mulling through the first 3 words that Jesus spoke to Simon for a couple of weeks now. “Come, Follow Me.” Today, let's hash out and sort through this VITAL principle to learning to be resolved.

“Come. Follow Me.”

As the Lord has gradually taught me more about worship through the 5.2 Principles “Know what you know, live what you know, share what you know”... I've come recently to have a much better understanding of just what it means to “live what you know” thanks to the amazing picture of the friendship between Simon Peter and Jesus.

Do you remember what we've drawn out already? Are you living it?

“Come. Follow Me.”

…. Act on what you know, not on what you don't. If you know who He is, take steps forward to follow. Right away. Taste and see that the Lord is good...

“Come. Follow Me [There].”

… We're headed somewhere. Follow me... because I've got somewhere to take you. Follow the One who knows us inside and out, and who holds past, present and future!

“Come. Follow Me [There] and I will make you....”

… Take a step to follow, and then I will show you more. You don't need to be ready for the future now. Follow me and I'll make you ready. I'm not leaving you. Stay close and follow me.

Wow. Isn't He incredible? Don't you think He's more than worthy of our praise? Will you stop for a moment and thank Him that He is willing to lead you.... regardless of the circumstances that may come our way? What a wonderful Savior!

I think many times when we think of the term “Live what you know” we wrap a lot of self in it. Our own strength. Our own way of working things out. Our own expectations for our behavior. Our realization that we will never get it completely right. But that's not what He asks! What a relief. Live what you know means that you put an “and so....” onto your “I know.” Get this. It means laying your knowledge down before the Lord as an offering of worship. It means being willing to act on what you know about the Lord, and to follow Him, just one step at a time. Whether we don't know him yet at all, or whether we've walked with Him all of our lives. One step at a time. “Come. Follow me. There. And I will...”

It's not about being perfect. It's not about being strong enough. It's not about finding out what He wants us to do and then running off to work on it!!! It's not about finding His total will and ultimate outcome and then running off on our own strength. Isn't that a relief? It's about sticking close. Daily. And taking one step at a time. Please read John 10:1-5.

There are two things that matter deeply in how you live your life. They are two things that we can use to help us define “resolve.”

The truth that you know in your mind and your heart, that you are willing to seek after.
And the boldness and willingness you plunge forward with to act on your knowledge.

When we follow, and follow closely, when we learn to hear His voice and know His character and act accordingly... the living... and the life... comes from Him. We're just following in His footsteps. (Proverbs 20:24)

Please read John 8:12

Jesus first words to Simon were “follow me.” They went through a lot together, didn't they. And do you know what the very last words Jesus said to Simon were?

“Follow me.” Just... follow.

For Discussion: Please read the following verses and let's draw some personal application and examples as we finalize our definition of following, and move forward in action! The journey of Job: Job 22:10,12 and 42:1-6, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:17, John 14:6, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9

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