January 11, 2014: Cure for a Dull Boring Life: Follow Jesus!

Matthew 8:18-34

Amplified Bible (AMP)

18 Now Jesus, when He saw the great throngs around Him, gave orders to cross to the other side [of the lake].

19 And a scribe came up and said to Him, Master, I will accompany You wherever You go.

20 And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have lodging places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.

21 Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord, let me first go and bury [care for till death] my father.

22 But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead [in sin] to bury their own dead.

23 And after He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.

24 And suddenly, behold, there arose a violent storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered up by the waves; but He was sleeping.

25 And they went and awakened Him, saying, Lord, rescue and preserve us! We are perishing!

26 And He said to them, Why are you timid and afraid, O you of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great and wonderful calm (a perfect peaceableness).

27 And the men were stunned with bewildered wonder and marveled, saying, What kind of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!

28 And when He arrived at the other side in the country of the Gadarenes, two men under the control of demons went to meet Him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce and savage that no one was able to pass that way.

29 And behold, they shrieked and screamed, What have You to do with us, Jesus, Son of God? Have You come to torment us before the appointed time?

30 Now at some distance from there a drove of many hogs was grazing.

31 And the demons begged Him, If You drive us out, send us into the drove of hogs.

32 And He said to them, Begone! So they came out and went into the hogs, and behold, the whole drove rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the water.

33 The herdsmen fled and went into the town and reported everything, including what had happened to the men under the power of demons.

34 And behold, the whole town went out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their locality.

I continue to read about the people being amazed at Jesus' exploits. They were stunned! Amazed! Astonished! 

If you're tired of escaping your situation by watching movies, shopping, baking, cleaning, working, or whatever it is you do, simply follow Jesus. He will shock and amaze you daily. Many times a day. 

Instead of letting the cares of life keep you from following Him (v. 21), simply run to Him. He will work it all out miraculously! 

After you make the decision to follow Him, you will most likely go through a storm. Its not easy in the beginning. Just like any big change in your life. Change is very difficult! For all of us! just cling to Him, and He will say, "Peace be still!" You'll be fine!

And then as you travel with Jesus, you will get front row seats as He does His mighty miracles! He will use you miraculously!

Are you tired of your same old, same old life? Your same old, same old overwhelming problems? Follow Jesus. Your life will never be the same!!!

Pray this prayer with me.

"Dear Jesus, I am stuck in my same problems that I've had for so many years. I'm in a rut! I find myself dreading each new day. Please help me leave all this and follow You! I know it won't be easy. There will be storms. But I will have You by my side to calm the sea! Your miracles are so amazing! And the pain and suffering around me is so great! I will follow You, Master of the Sea. I want to watch You work. In my own life, and also in the lives of those around me. You are amazing. You are astonishing. Yes, I will follow You! I turn everything over to You. Lead me Lord, I will follow. AMEN."