Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 23
Friday


CLOSE ON
HIS HEELS

READ:
Matthew 4:18-25
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Follow Me, and I will
make you fishers of
men. __Matthew 4:19
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Stan and Jennifer were speaking at a mission conference in Marion, North Carolina, after their first term of service on the field.

Jennifer told of a Bible study she had held with one woman. The two were discussing Matthew 4:19, and the woman told Jennifer about a word in her native language, which means follow. She said, "It is the word for following closely, not at a distance."

To illustrate, Jennifer held up slippers used by the native women, showing one far behind the other. Then she moved one slipper right up against the back of the other one, and said that the word means "to follow right on one's heels." It suggests that we are to follow Jesus as closely as possible.

Later, when Jennifer was reading over the journal she had been keeping, she was surprised to see that she had often questioned, "Is Jesus enough?"She had been working her way through culture shock, loneliness, illness, and childlessness. At times she had felt far from Christ. But when through prayer and faith she had drawn as close to Him as she could, walking "right on His heels, He had calmed her soul, restored her strength, and given her peace.

Are you feeling far from the Lord-empty, weak, and afraid? It's time to follow close on His heels. __Dave Egner
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`````````````````God , give me the faith of a little child!````````````
``````````````````````A faith that will look to Thee--``````````````
```````````````````That never will falter and never fail,````````````
`````````````````But follow Thee trustingly. __showerman``````````
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The closer we walk with God,
the cleaner we see His guidance.

************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 4:18-25*************

18 And Jesus, walking by
the Sea of Galilee, saw two
brothers, Simon called
Peter, and Andrew his
brother, casting a net into
the sea; for they were
fishermen. 19 Then He said
to them, "Follow Me, and I
will make you fishers of
men." 20 They immediately
left their nets and followed
Him.

21 Going on from there, He
saw two other brothers,
James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, in the
boat with Zebedee their
father, mending their nets.
He called them, 22 and
immediately they left the
boat and their father, and
followed Him.

23 And Jesus went about
all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and
healing all kinds of disease
among the people. 24 Then
His fame went throughout
all Syria; and they brought
to Him all sick people who
were afflicted with various
diseases and torments, and
those who were demon-
possessed, epileptics, and
paralytics; and He healed
them. 25 Great multitudes
followed Him--from
galilee, and from
Decapolis, jerusalem,
Judea, and beyond the
Jordan.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In today's passage we read that the Lord called Peter, Andrew,
John, and James (John's brother) to "burn their bridges" and follow
Him (vv.20,22)). These four were partners in the fishing business
(Luke 5:10). It is possible that the majority of the 12 apostles were
professional fishermen (John 21:2; see Matt. 10:2-3; Mark 3:16-19;
Luke 6:14-16). __SIM KAY TEE

[Lani]

*Amen2*

The closer we are to Him, the easier it is to see His way... so true.

Thanks Cimi!!!!

Lani