Having just returned from a missions trip to Fiji, I thought I would write down some of the thoughts I believe that the Holy Spirit gave me. At one home church in Ba, the youth did a dance for us that really touched me. I was brought to tears as the Holy Spirit was ushered in and the word I was given was "delight". I could sense His delight in what the youth were doing, glorifying Him in the dance.
It really got me thinking. Jesus is the Lord of the Dance and we are to follow, step by step, giving Him the lead in our lives. In ballroom dancing, the man takes the lead and guides the woman in the dance. This is a principle to adhere to with Christ our Lord and us, the church, His Bride.
Jesus called all His disciples with "follow me and I will make you fishers of men". (Mat 4:19) It is in following Him that we find our identity and destiny. He makes us. He leads us. He tests us. He gives us a choice. When He calls, we either respond positively or we can respond negatively. This tests our true commitment and our heart. The disciples, on His invitation, immediately left all, laying down their careers instantly and went after him.
There is a cost in following the leading of Jesus.
Mat 8:19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."
Mat 8:20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Mat 8:21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
The scribe was making a declaration that he would follow Jesus but Jesus warned Him that in following Him, earthly comforts may have to be put aside if we truly prioritise Kingdom business. We even need to be prepared to put our grief and emotions aside if Kingdom business calls first.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
We need to be prepared to give up all we own if God calls us to; forsaking our pleasures, our needs, denying all of these earthly pursuits and coming against the "what about me?" for the sake of the Kingdom.
Jesus didn't promise that following Him would be a bed of roses which is why He told us to count the cost. But the rewards in following Him are worth everything and the blessings that come in being obedient far outweigh anything that this world can offer. His grace is sufficient for us and the Holy Spirit helps us to walk in righteousness when we lean on Him, trusting Him to overcome battles of temptation. We will have an eternal reward too.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
Rev 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Rev 19:9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
The "wife" has made herself ready! How? "...by the righteous acts". These righteous acts are those that are spirit led and acted upon with the love of God. The Word tells us that our righteous acts are as "filthy rags" (Is 64:6) because, especially pre-salvation, we have the wrong motive – to show how good we are. All things we do, prompted by the Holy Spirit of God and done with the pure motive of bringing glory to God, will have its reward in heaven.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
It is being led by the Spirit that helps us grow up into the things of God because the Spirit may lead us where we really don't want to be taken. Obedience to His voice always brings the blessing of God and spiritual change.
Mat 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
I can't image that Jesus was totally delighted to be led into the wilderness to be tempted and tested by the devil for 40 days and 40 nights but He was obedient to the call and after His time in the wilderness came out ready to minister, full of Holy Ghost power. This is the power of obedience.
Jesus is ready to dance with you. He wants to take the lead and tango you into an exciting and fulfilling ministry directed by His footsteps with you leaning on His arm. There may be times He will waltz you onto the dance floor just to be intimate with you and gaze into your eyes. When He directs, and we follow, there is safety and excitement in His arms as we move to the melody of His music.
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