"Following" - A Devotional For Tuesday

Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

I remember one time, my wife and I were in the state of Alabama. We'd never visited there before and were meeting one of her family members at a rest stop along the interstate. We were meeting him so he could lead us up into the mountains to visit with the rest of her family. They told us that we were to follow this guide closely because it was very easy to get lost on our way to the house. We met him and began to follow his car. Suddenly he hit the gas and began to nearly fly up the mountainside. We tried to keep up for awhile but couldn't. It was to the point where we could no longer even see his car in the distance. Here he was thinking he was leading us to our destination, but failed to look in his rear-view mirror to see if we were still following...

He was not a very good guide.

As we live our lives, we may be tempted to follow things that lead us the wrong direction...or abandon us altogether. Have you ever been tempted to follow your feelings? I have. How about money and wealth? Ever wanted to base your life around the accumulation of stuff and prestige...isn't that the easy way? I know the temptation is there...

But just like my "guide" in the mountains...anything short of following God will leave you in the dust.

Just like we talked about yesterday...
When you read God's Word...apply it.
When you have a question for God...ask it.
When you want to praise God...feel it.
When you want to follow God...do it.

It doesn't matter what people think about you. The only thing that really matters...that will really get you where you need to go...is your relationship with God. He is the ultimate guide...and will be patient and stay slow enough for you to get close.

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian