Author: Brian Burdett

“And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!’” – Mark 7:9

The hypocrisy of the Pharisees was such that they created rules and traditions to justify (in their minds) outright disobedience to God’s clear commandments. They actually came up with a way to selfishly ignore one of the Ten Commandments and wrap their behavior in the appearance of holiness. Of course, Jesus condemned them for this! What could be more absurd than a religious person blatantly ignoring the commands of their religion?

Unfortunately, we often do the same thing! Christians have a remarkable ability to explain away the clear commands of Jesus. To justify (in our minds) why we don’t need to love THOSE neighbors. Why we don’t need to show mercy or make peace or pursue holiness. Why we don’t need to fight our lustful/angry/prideful thoughts. Christians (including leaders and scholars) come up with the most ridiculous reasons why we don’t REALLY have to try to live by the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Even though it’s Jesus’ foremost teaching on what it looks like to live as a citizen of His kingdom!

Don’t make excuses! Don’t explain away what Jesus commanded. Make time today to re-read Matthew 5-7. Rather than quickly saying, “that’s nice” or “that’s impossible” and moving on with your life unchanged, ask God to help you see what you need to think, say, and do differently with the help of the Holy Spirit. #FollowJesus

“Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!”
– Psalm 39:6

Life on earth is fleeting. It may feel long in the moment, but compared to the endless sweep of eternity, it’s incredibly brief. How are you spending your life? What are you pouring your limited time, energy, strength, and attention into? Will it last? Will it matter in a century? In a decade? In a year? In a month?

Here’s what will last forever: human souls and Christ’s kingdom. Here’s what won’t last: everything else. Are you devoting yourself to loving, saving, blessing, nurturing, and discipling human souls? Are you devoting yourself to building Christ’s kingdom here on earth?

If not, for what temporary thing are you pouring out your life? Who will benefit from your efforts? The Bible repeatedly makes the point that even if you think you’re hustling to make a better, more comfortable future for yourself, you may never get to enjoy any of it. Once again, life on earth is fleeting. To pour your life out amassing money and stuff is to waste precious time in pursuit of something that may simply pass to your estate when the unknown days of your earthly life come to an end on a schedule you don’t know and can’t control.

What should matter most to you? Are you pursuing that? #FollowJesus

“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:16

God’s promise to King David was surely a great joy and comfort to him. Much of the rest of this chapter records David’s prayer of gratitude for this enduring promise that his kingdom would be eternal and that there would be a descendant of his on the throne forever. God has faithfully kept this promise though in a way that David was probably not imagining at that moment.

Rather than an endless succession of kings descended from David who would be born, live, and die, God would instead raise up one King. A king Who died and rose from death to rule forever… Jesus of Nazareth. Descended from David and also the eternal Son of God come in human flesh. Long after the last Davidic king sat on the earthly throne in Jerusalem, Jesus Christ stepped down out of glory and into our world, lived, loved, taught, worked miracles, died, and rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He sits on His throne at the right hand of the Father.

The promises of God are 100% certain. They are all “yes” and “amen” in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Praise God for His steadfast love and faithfulness. Trust in His promises. Love and obey King Jesus. #FollowJesus

“I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.”
– Psalm 101:2b-4

Followers of Jesus are called to live with total integrity. Not just in the shallow sense of telling the truth, but in the deeper sense of wholeness and consistency of thought, feeling, speech, and action. Christ-like integrity isn’t just about what comes out of you. It’s about what you let into you… what you surround yourself with… what you put up with… what you compromise to keep around. Not just in public but in the quiet of your own home.

Think about what you consume on social media. Consider what you like and share. Reflect on what you watch and listen to and the content that grabs your attention most easily. Are you putting worthless things before your eyes? Things that distract or distance you from God? Things that keep you from doing what you actually want to do with your days? Things that reduce your love for God or for ALL your neighbors? Be like David and refuse to put those things before your eyes!

Do you like, follow, read, or listen to “Christian” influencers, leaders, or politicians who aren’t actually walking in the way of Jesus? Whose speech, character, and conduct haven’t been transformed by the Lord? Don’t feast on their words and work while quietly acknowledging their so-called flaws. Do as David did and have nothing to do with those people, their words, or their works.

Do you like to keep perverse things close at hand in your queues and playlists? Don’t do it! Things that delight the “old man” but don’t edify who you are in Christ? Vow to be like David and know nothing of evil. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your outlook, attitude, and witness for Christ will change once you do. #FollowJesus

“He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.”
– Psalm 23:2-3

Take a few moments and to quietly meditate on these beautiful words. This is how God shepherds your soul in Christ Jesus. No matter the chaos in the world or in your life, this is the invitation of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He will lead you to rest in lush green pastures of safety and peace. He will guide you to tranquil waters of refreshment rather than the raging torrents we typically find for ourselves. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the King of Righteousness. He is the bottomless fountain of living water for your desperately thirsty soul.

He will restore your weary, broken spirit. Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, yoking themselves to Him in faith and obedience, and experiencing deep and lasting rest. Refreshment of spirit, even amidst bitter sorrow and grief. Jesus, the Good Shepherd will lead you in paths of righteousness if you’ll follow Him. If you’ll choose to obey Him rather than your natural instincts and desires that are so easily deceived and distorted by our sinful, fallen world.

The Lord will lead you on the narrow, righteous path that leads to life and blessing. This will be, first and foremost, for His glory. As He shepherds your soul, the name of Jesus will be held high. The rest and peace you enjoy in a restless, conflicted world will be a beautiful testimony to the goodness of the Lord. However, the blessing you enjoy as you live for His glory will be greater than any earthly blessing you’ve ever had before.

Let God shepherd your soul in Christ. Turn your life over to Him in faith, repentance, and trust. #FollowJesus into the green pastures and beside the still waters that restore your anxious soul.