FOLLOW THE LEADER! 11/29/15

AS A YOUNG MAN Jim never sang in public but always in the shower.  He was a man of few words.  He hardly ever spoke unless it was to say something profound.   He thought that when he grew up he was going to be a great 3rd baseman for the Yankee’s.  When he was in his 30's he read the Bible cover to cover and was convicted that God is Lord and that changed everything for him.
AFTER COLLEGE and marriage he became a part of the Apollo Space Program back in the 60's.  He worked on the Lunar Excursion Module (the LEM).  He was part of the program working on the system that controlled the descent rate of the LEM.  He was employed by TRW Systems until he moved to Oregon in 1970.  Watching the movie “Apollo 13" was like reliving the first landing on the moon all over again for him; and the part the LEM played in the heroic effort and miracle of using it for what it was not created for.
WHEN JIM found himself among God’s people he was determined that when he retired he would  live near the church and teach God’s word until he died.   It looked like he wasn’t going to be able to do that until about 8 months after we began attending SWCC.  He began teaching a Sunday School class once again.  In giving his report at a Sunday School Teachers meeting, he said; “I probably would have ended up in the corner crying, if I couldn’t teach again.”   When you give God control that is what can happen!   When you begin to follow God, you find that giving Him first place can change everything.  That is when your walk is personal!
I REMEMBER as a child playing follow the leader.  Remember following the leader and you had to do everything he did or drop out?   The person behind you would move up and take your place following the leader.   Not very creative but a lot of fun, especially if you had a crush on the one in front of you.  You got to hold onto his waist as you followed him.  Sounds like I was aggressive.  I wasn’t speaking from experience but perhaps wishful thinking!
“FOR TO THIS you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21    So many times we feel it is ominous to assume we can be like Christ but that is exactly what the Apostles and the early disciples did.   Paul was so bold as to say; “I urge you then, be imitators of me, as I imitate Christ.”  1 Corinthians 4:16    Later on, he writes; “So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Hebrew 6:12   The only way we can be imitators of those who led the church from it’s infancy, is by reading God’s word.  We see their faithfulness and their dedication unto death.
“REMEMBER your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life and imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”  Hebrews 12:7-8    Paul is talking to us today!   Listen to those who have assumed the rolls of Christian leadership within your church body.  Check their actions and faith against those who teach us through the scriptures.   “Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods which have no beneficial strength.”  Hebrews 13:9   Be careful who you have allowed to lead you in the ways of God.  Look at their lives and listen intently to the things they say.
“BELOVED, do not imitate evil but imitate good.  He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen God.”  3 John 11    Jim and I spend a lot of time in God’s word.   What I don’t understand he clarifies for me.  When he wants a better understanding, he asks me.  We have grown closer together than most, because of our desires to know our Lord and to follow Him wherever He leads.  Get on board and follow the leader, and see just how God can change your life; see how lives can be changed thru your walk!   Jane Ann Crenshaw 4/13/10 (update 11/5/15)