Be Ye Followers

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."  I Corinthians  11:1.  Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, could be followed because he followed Christ.  The life of this apostle was consumed by Christ.  We all follow the example of someone.  Jesus Christ taught that we are to live in a manner that others might follow us.  All of us are to be an influence for good.  If we follow the example of Jesus, we will make a difference in the lives of others.  Our culture needs a good influence.  Those who follow Christ will have an influence that will change lives and influence the world for good.  Jesus sought to change the world in which He lived, and also, for ages to come.  Jesus lived a life that was pleasing to God.  Godliness has an impact.  Godliness will bless a society for good.  Ungodliness will curse a society.  Not all choose to follow what is good and right.  The devil has an influence over the hearts of many souls.  But, goodness will help preserve.  If our lives are blessed and we find true joy, we must follow Jesus.

Wherein Shall We Return?

"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept them.  Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.  But ye said, Wherein shall we return."  Malachi 3:7.  When we err against God, we remove ourselves from God.  We must return unto God so that our relationship with Him can be mended.  These people of God had departed from Him because they refused to keep His ordinances.  God has given commandments that we are to keep.  The obedience to these commandments keeps us in union with Him.  But, our disobedience to His ordinances will result in our departure from Him.  We can depart from God.  When such a condition occurs, we must return.  God will not make us remain faithful unto Him.  But, God will always allow us to return.  If we err from God, we must return in faith and repentance.  We must turn from the evil way which we have chosen, and embrace once again His ordinances.  When we return to God, God will return to us.

Blessed Are The Undefiled

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart."  Psalm 119:1-2.  In our world, some are happy and some are unhappy.  God seeks the happiness of every soul.  To insure our happiness, God gives us directions.  When we choose to follow His way, we will indeed find blessings.  God counsels us to walk in His law, keep His testimonies, and seek Him.  His law and testimonies will keep us from being defiled by sin.  The law of God directs us toward God.  We seek God who is holy Himself and without any uncleanness.  To seek Him, we must be holy.  Our heart must be pure.  As we are in the way, we must abstain from that which defiles and corrupts.  His law guards us from the evil that lurks in the way.  His testimonies are a hedge about us.  To be without defilement is to be blessed.  A clean heart leads to a clean life, and God blesses those who so walk.

If I But Touch Him

"For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole."  Matthew 9:21.  Jesus was on a mission to the home of Jairus.  This woman with a disease of blood believed all that would be necessary for healing was to touch his garment.  She wasn't looking for an encounter.  She wasn't looking to detain him.  She just needed to touch his garment.  Her faith told her what twelve years of doctors had not told her.  Healing was in the touch.  But, faith prompted the touch.  We must touch Christ.  We know that he can heal.  We know that he removes sin.  We know he restores.  This he did for the woman.  But, we must touch him.  Faith must act.  Without the touch, there is no healing.  The disease remains.  Christ has the power to heal.  He desires to heal.  This was the purpose of his coming.  But, we must touch him.  Faith without the touch will not heal.  She did not miss her opportunity.  She came behind him, and touched his garment.  Jesus is always in the front.  We follow.  Our opportunity for healing must not be lost.  Let us touch him so that he will save us, now.

Hasten To Help Me

"Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.  Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation."  Psalm 38:21-22.  The Psalmist is troubled, bowed down, and broken as he remembers his iniquities.  All have forsaken him, and he stands alone.  His strength has failed him, and his enemies are multiplied.  His only help is in the Lord of salvation.  Surely we see ourselves in like manner.  Who can help us but God?  Let us make Him our salvation. We desire His nearness, and we seek His help in our time of need.  We beg for forgiveness.  We must not forsake Him so that He will not remove Himself from us.  Do not wicked men seek us?   But, God is greater than all the bands of evil.   Humility must take hold of us as the clouds of desperation gather about us.  We must come to the One who knows us and desires for us to cry unto Him.  Lord, hear us and close not thy ear.  His nearness is but a prayer away.  Our Lord saves those in distress, loneliness, and sin. Hasten to help me O God for I need thee.