Come, follow me.

“Come, follow me.” (Matt. 4:19) 

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19) 

“One thing you lack. . . . Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21) 

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

 Whoever continues to minister to me, let him keep on following me; where I go you will share unhindered companionship with me. This shared union is what Father greatly values.                 (John 12:26)

Jesus never called us to be leaders he only said follow me that's being a disciple. 

The disciples or should I say the 12 left everything behind their homes, their comforts, even their friends, they changed people, places and play things to be sold out to follow Jesus. I often have wondered for myself if I have stepped into that Circle of twelve where I have left everything behind to follow him. I read a quote that says, “the true test of leadership is determined by how effective we are at helping others.”  Leonard Sweet

I have heard it said in churches and in small groups that we need to raise up leaders. However Jesus focuses on the following. I don't think Jesus ever says follow me so you can be a leader he just says follow me.  

Jesus says follow me now,  he doesn't say follow me later at your convenience.

For the last couple years or maybe longer, I’m going to stay longer. My wife could probably tell you exactly how long.  I have been trying to relinquish the financing part of the business over to her. She has an ability with finances that I just can't come close to. For years I've been wearing many hats in my company but this is the one part that I've struggled with relinquishing. She asked me the other day “do you trust me or not you know I'm good with money.” She said.   This comes on the heels of our taxes getting done and some very unwelcomed news.  Let's just say I had a banner year in 2016 and my estimated taxes weren't enough and it's my fault. Had I relinquished the finances over when I was told to we wouldn't be having an issue today.

I tell you the story because it's all good. I have relinquished the finances and the Lord has been given my wife ideas on how to make the business more efficient.  I am truly excited. The other side to this is I believe I have been following Jesus in all areas of my life except the finances of my business. I'm sure there's some other areas right now but I can't think of them. Today as a follower of Jesus I believe I am following him in all areas of my life now.   That could all change though.  I have found that sin is very sneaky.   I have to be on my toes or should I say Follow Jesus more intimately?

Are you in the circle of Twelve?    

….In the Twelve, we follow Jesus to the places of leaving all. Crosby, Robert. The One Jesus Loves: