Author: Brian Burdett

“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” – Acts 2:39

What a beautiful reminder of who the promise of the Gospel is for… It’s for people near and people far away… It’s for people long ago and for people today… It’s for Jews and Gentiles… It’s for everyone God calls to Himself through faith in Jesus Christ. The treasure of the Gospel is meant to be shared far and wide. It is for people young and old, rich and poor, humble and proud from every tribe, language, and nation on earth.

There are no borders or boundaries on the Gospel! There are no limits to Christ’s command for His followers to make disciples by going to share the Gospel, baptizing, and teaching obedience to Him. This is the good news that saves you from your sins. This is the good news that will save countless more all around the world. How are you choosing to live your life so that others can receive this promise? How are you structuring your lifestyle and managing your time, talent, and treasure so that present and future generations both near and far can hear and respond to the good news of Jesus Christ?

In Christ, you have been blessed by this beautiful promise. However, you’ve been blessed to be a blessing to others. What does that look like for you as you #FollowJesus?

“Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.”
– Jeremiah 10:24

What a wonderful prayer to pray! Too often, we’d prefer not to be corrected at all. We’d rather God just put His seal of approval on whatever we feel like saying or doing. However, God loves us far too much for that! He will correct those He loves. So, Jeremiah teaches us how to ask God to correct us gently and justly rather than wrathfully. Please know that God is very happy to answer this prayer! So pray it!

Take time, right now, to ask God to correct you. Just like Jeremiah. Ask Him to gently, lovingly, and clearly reveal any ongoing sin or shortcoming that dishonors or disobeys Him. Ask Him to speak through His Word, His Spirit, and His people to show you where He wants you to change. To become more like Jesus. Ask Him to be honest and loving with you.

Of course, asking isn’t the hardest part. It’s harder to keep asking and to sit quietly until you hear His answer. The hardest thing of all is actually accepting God’s changes and doing what you need to do. So, are you ready? Start talking to God and get ready to #FollowJesus even more closely!

“But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.” – Jeremiah 7:24

Was Jeremiah talking about the people of ancient Israel some 2600 years ago? Yes, he was and they suffered badly for their continued stubborn disobedience. Do these same words describe many people, including many professing Christians, today? Unfortunately, the answer to that is also yes. Be careful not to let these words describe you.

God’s people are often tempted to “walk in their own counsel”, meaning doing whatever they think best rather than what God has commanded. We like to tune our ears to teachers and advisors who say what we want to hear rather than those speaking God’s word with fidelity. Our minds bubble up with reasons why our situation is different, why we’re different, and why God’s Word is for and about someone or something else. Don’t fall into clever reasoning about why the plain words of Scripture don’t apply to you. They do! If they plainly apply, apply them! Don’t look for ways to ignore them. Walk in God’s wise counsel rather than your own limited (shall we say) counsel.

Don’t be stubborn of heart, be tender of heart. Don’t dig in and double-down on things once you realize God has a different perspective from you. Be quick to adopt God’s perspective. You won’t regret it! #FollowJesus

“The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.”
– Psalm 145:14

What a beautiful truth! When you’re falling… when you’re bent double by your burdens or your pain… God doesn’t look at you with contempt. He doesn’t yell at you to stand up straight. He doesn’t tell you to keep a stiff upper lip. Rather, God is right there with you. Holding you up. Strengthening you. Catching you. Lifting you back to your feet. Lightening your burden so you can stand up straight. That’s Who God is!

Once you’re in a relationship of love with God through faith in Jesus Christ, He is very present in all your times of trouble. He is deeply aware of, and concerned about, your suffering and weaknesses. He isn’t a distant observer of your situation. His time and attention aren’t limited or divided. He is walking right there with you every step of the way. He’s even carrying when you need Him to!

If Jesus is your Lord, then don’t ever be afraid to ask God for help. For strength to keep going. Pray to Him day-by-day, hour-by-hour, or minute-by-minute. Draw near to Him, knowing that He will draw even nearer to you. Ask for His strength to be revealed in your weakness. Turn your burdens over to Him. Release your anxieties and fears to Him. Walk in step with Him, neither running ahead or lagging behind. Trust in the Lord, because this is truly Who He is! #FollowJesus

“And when your people say, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us?’ you shall say to them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours.’” – Jeremiah 5:19

Many today gladly live as if there is no God. Or they imagine God is irrelevant, blind, weak, or stupid. Unfortunately for them, while God is unimaginably patient, His patience doesn’t extend forever. On the other side of His patience is righteous wrath and just judgment. Why? Because God is completely just and righteous. When people consistently reject and forsake God, demanding His removal from their presence and lives, there are consequences. When whole nations reject and forsake God, there are even more consequences.

If you’re a Christian, don’t be surprised if, and when, those consequences arrive. Don’t be shocked when they also touch your life in profound and terrible ways. Fear not! God will sustain and spiritually preserve you through them, though they may be awful to witness and experience. Until that day comes, pray for a great awakening in this country. Pray for a widespread turning to the Lord by those who currently reject Him. Pray for your community, county, state, and nation to eagerly seek Lord Jesus rather than whatever they’ve been seeking. Pray for these things to happen before God’s patience runs out. And, of course, #FollowJesus