Author: Brian Burdett

“For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” – Matthew 24:5

Followers of Jesus must be extremely discerning about ANYONE making bold claims about themselves. Be wary of highly dynamic, exciting, charismatic individuals who claim (or have people claiming) they’ve been anointed by God (which is what Christ means). Reject the claims of anyone claiming to be some sort of Savior. In our modern era of instant global communication, it’s easy for a compelling individual to use familiar religious language and a big personality to gather huge followings online or in person. Even, or especially, among Christians.

The Bible repeatedly warns us not to be deceived by false prophets and messiahs. Obviously, God knows this will be a problem for us, so pay attention to these warnings! Jesus is absolutely coming back. When He does, His return will be as unmistakable as a bolt of lightning arcing across the night sky. He won’t be subtle and low-key like His first coming. You don’t have to worry about missing Jesus when He returns. Instead, be very, very careful about looking for Christ in all the wrong people and places. Don’t put your love, zeal, trust, or loyalty that should be reserved for Jesus toward anyone else.

If you find yourself becoming extremely excited about any human being, check yourself. Explore those feelings. Try to think objectively about that person. What has you so excited? Is it something appropriate for a human being or are you beginning to fall for a false messiah? Accept no substitutes! #FollowJesus

“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.’” – Acts 23:11

Sometimes Jesus’ understanding of good news is very different from ours. But guess what, He’s right!!! Paul had been hauled before riotous crowds that wanted him dead. While spending another night in jail, Jesus appeared to him and delivered good news. The mob wouldn’t manage to kill him. Instead, Paul would be taken as a prisoner to Rome to tell people about Jesus in the same way he had in Jerusalem… at risk for his life, without freedom, and without an alternative. Wouldn’t you love to get good news like that?!?

To Paul (or to us when we find ourselves in a similarly difficult situation), this might not have sounded like awesome news. Continued imprisonment. Years without freedom to travel for his ministry. Continued risk to his life. Ongoing violent and dangerous opposition. In ourselves, we would naturally consider this to be terrible news. But not Jesus!

To Jesus, this was wonderful news! He would be glorified through Paul’s faithful witness in chains. Many souls would be saved as they heard Paul’s testimony about Jesus during the period of years this process would take. Paul would be forced to act in the strength and power of Jesus because he was powerless. This is world-changing good news to Jesus and He’s right!

Realize that life isn’t always going to go the way you hope, imagine, or expect. That doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t present with you, loving you, sustaining you, and empowering you. It just means that He understands much better than you what’s truly good – for you and for those you encounter in your journey with Him. #FollowJesus

“Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.’” – Acts 22:22

Not everything Jesus commands us to say or do will be popular! Expect that your obedience to Jesus and proclamation of His will and way will get some people angry sometimes. For Paul’s audience, the breaking point was telling them that Jesus commanded him to take the Gospel to a non-Jewish audience. They were shocked, offended, and outraged that God’s grace and love could possibly apply to Gentiles! This grace is what put the crowd in a murderous mood. But it was God’s will and way. The mystery of the Gospel is that by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, many considered different, dirty, and dangerous will be welcomed into the one family of God as a gift of grace.

If you’re faithful to Christ’s call on your life, expect to make some people upset at you. That may include people who thought they were on the same side as you (even people calling themselves Christians). Whether you’re speaking the heart and truth of Jesus on matters of justice, mercy, money, politics, sex, sin, repentance, or obedience expect it to offend some people. Don’t be offensive as you speak the truth but expect the truth itself to offend.

Trust that if you have offended others for Jesus, He is very present with you. He will strengthen and refresh you, encourage you and empower you to hold to His truth. Don’t be afraid, be faithful. #FollowJesus

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.” – Genesis 22:13

God provides the sacrifice. Period. To verify the depth of Abraham’s faith, God asked him to do the unthinkable. Would Abraham be willing to trust God’s faithfulness and power enough to sacrifice his long-awaited, much-loved son through whom God’s promises were to be fulfilled? Yes! Abraham did everything required to demonstrate his unwavering faith and God stopped him from actually hurting his son. This was only a test. God never had any intention of having Abraham kill Isaac. God was always going to provide the sacrifice, as long as Abraham was willing to put himself in the place to see that ram caught in the thicket.

However, things were different for God’s own Son. While God didn’t intend for Abraham to actually sacrifice his son, God always planned to sacrifice His own Son, Jesus. God did what Abraham was willing to do but didn’t have to do. God sent His Son into the world to live a perfect sinless life and then die as an innocent sacrifice on the cross to pay off the spiritual debt for our sins. Once again, God provided the sacrifice, but instead of a ram, it was His own Son, Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Rejoice that God always provides the sacrifice! Neither we nor our children must die for our sins, because the perfect Son of God already died for them! #FollowJesus

“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26

Today, we honor and celebrate the life, work, and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The movement he led made the world a better and more just place. Today also marks the peaceful transfer of political power in this country from one President to another. And so, it’s a particularly good day to remind ourselves of what Jesus commanded regarding leadership in His Kingdom.

For followers of Jesus, leadership isn’t about power. It isn’t about status. It isn’t about surrounding ourselves with people who must slavishly obey. It’s not about pleasing oneself. It’s about the opportunity to serve and bless those we lead. It’s about willingly following the example of Jesus, Who sacrificed His life for those He leads. Christian leaders must work tirelessly to reflect Christ Himself. Those who would change the world must clothe themselves in Christ’s humility, live by Christ’s wisdom, and be filled with Christ’s Spirit. They must commit themselves to pour out their lives for the betterment of everyone around them.

Christlike leadership is not for the faint of heart, the thin of skin, or the vain. Leading like Jesus involves dirty hands, sorrowful hearts, and exhausted and aching bodies. That is how a Christian leader influences, guides, and directs others for the glory of God. Not by their power or office but by their words, example, and influence. Leadership like that elevates everyone else, calling them into greater Christlikeness. As followers of Jesus, these qualities must always be what we look for and celebrate in a leader. It’s what we should expect and demand of our leaders. We should never accept or embrace any false substitute for these qualities within the Kingdom of God! #FollowJesus