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Come, Follow Me: 365 Comforting Messages from the One Who Knows Your Name
384Overview
365 encouraging messages from God help readers grow their faith.Come, Follow Me is an inspiring daily devotional that offers engaging and encouraging messages from God and His Word. With messages like: “I go before you today. I fight for you today. And I carry you today. Trust Me, child. I will show you the way out of the desert. Follow Me wholeheartedly. . . . I love you.” . . .these 365 readings will change your heart, increase your faith, and connect you to your loving heavenly Father as you've never been before. Each day of the year, you will encounter a moving, blessings-filled reading that has powerful potential to impact your life.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781683227922 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Barbour Publishing, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 01/01/2019 |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Sales rank: | 622,727 |
| Product dimensions: | 4.20(w) x 5.90(h) x 0.90(d) |
About the Author
Matt Koceich is a husband, father, and public school teacher. Matt and his family live in Texas.
Read an Excerpt
Come Follow Me
365 Comforting Messages from the One Who Knows Your Name
By Matt Koceich
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Copyright © 2016 Matt KoceichAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-68322-058-9
CHAPTER 1
January 1
Precious child,
You are so beautiful.
Holding you makes Me smile. You are perfect in every way. Please know how much you mean to Me. I want you to know that I am everlasting, and what I feel for you right now will be the same tomorrow and a million tomorrows after that. I have searched you. I know you and am with you through every part of your day. Whether you are up or down, I know what you are going through. I perceive your thoughts and am here to help you sort them out. I won't let you be alone.
Holding you brings Me glory because you have been fearfully and wonderfully made. Don't ever doubt My love for you. You are My treasure. I am filled with infinite joy when I think of you. I go before you and I come after you. I lay My hand on you. My Spirit and presence are with you no matter where you go. My hands guide you and hold you. Even though the world tries to cover you in darkness, My light shines over you, making the deepest nights like day.
I am giving you an intimate gift of days to cherish. I have ordained the hours of this new year for you to love others like I love you. This gift is so much more than the breath I've breathed into your lungs. Your life is also meant to shine. I know there are times when you might believe otherwise, but those are not from My heart. The enemy tries to pull you away from Me. Don't focus on the world's hatred. Don't let the evil mock your heart.
You are so important. Never forget this. I have wonderful plans for you that you cannot imagine, and nothing can take you away from Me. I am leading you. Let Me search your heart and remove the anxious thoughts. You are Mine and I love you.
Psalm 139
January 2
Precious child,
You are now forever free from the burden of sin. I have given you this freedom to love Me and each other. I know this doesn't always mean an easy, carefree experience. There will be days when you are tempted to question My sovereignty — days when you wonder if I'm really here. But remember how I asked Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice? He not only obeyed Me; he also called it worship.
Years later, a famine came and I commanded Isaac to stay where he was and be blessed. He trusted Me and planted his crop. When he reaped a hundredfold, the Philistines grew jealous of Isaac's prosperity and forced him to move. I came to Isaac in his time of need and told him not to fear. Both Abraham and Isaac were obedient to the service that I had called them to.
I saved you to take away your fears so that you, too, might bring Me glory. You may not feel like a king, but My grace is not about how you feel. My grace is how I feel about you! You are My child, not a failure. You are a reflection of Me, not a picture of despair. You are royalty in My eyes, not an unnoticed, unappreciated servant. Simply put, you are priceless to Me.
The enemy tries hard to see that you follow your own desires. He hopes the emptiness of accumulating material things will fill you up and make you believe that you no longer need Me. He tries to enslave you to false promises and fool's gold. The enemy makes it easy for you to serve yourself.
But, when you serve Me in the ways I choose, you are truly free to live life the way I meant for you to live it. Go through this day renewed by My mighty power. Without fear, in complete obedience, let Me be your freedom.
Genesis 22:5; Psalm 8:4–5; 116:16; Romans 8:21
January 3
Precious child,
As I shed new mercies over you today, please walk knowing that I am making your path straight. This doesn't mean everything will be perfectly filled with clear skies and happiness, but it does mean that every one of your days is secure in Me. Nothing the enemy throws at you ever catches Me off guard. You are safe in Me. Even when the world makes you believe that you are on your own, I want you to know that our relationship is unbreakable.
Tell Me everything. Your questions don't make Me mad at you. That's the enemy's game. Not only do I want to hear what you have to say, but I promise to answer you. I always hear your cries for mercy, and My presence is your strength and shield. Let My mercy become tangible as you receive My power to endure hardships. Feel My protection cover you from potentially harmful situations. Remember, it wasn't your might but My mercy that saved you. And My mercy sews patience in your heart so that others around you will see Jesus there.
My mercy helps you from the time you get up until the time you go to sleep. I love on you even when you're unaware and dreaming. Mercy teaches you that you have overcome the problems of this life. By My mercy, I want you to see trials as opportunities that will bring Me glory. The enemy works hard at making you feel defeated, but please know that you are righteous in My eyes, and I have delivered you from his dark clutches.
Mercy, which Jesus made possible on the cross, means you will never again drown in sin. It means I save you, forgive you, keep you on solid ground, answer you, give you strength and protect you, help you, and promise to take away your stress. You are worth all of these things and more to Me!
Psalm 34:19; Daniel 9:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; Titus 3:5
January 4
Precious child,
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." He spoke those words to a woman named Martha from the town of Bethany. Martha's brother, Lazarus, had been very sick and eventually died. Martha's heart was torn. She was devastated because she had sent for the Lord days earlier, knowing that He would be the only One able to help. It seemed as if Jesus had ignored her pleas for mercy. These are the times when the enemy wants you to quit. He'll try to tell you that I'm not real, but know that he is a liar.
When Jesus first received word that Lazarus was ill, He stayed where He was for two days. Child, when it feels like I'm not listening or answering your prayer, please remember that I'm still on My throne. My reason for waiting to help Martha was so that My Son would be glorified. Real living, surrendered to My will and promises for you, glorifies Me by glorifying Jesus.
Jesus shared another truth about the gift of life He offers while he was in Bethany: "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe." Living your life each day for Jesus creates an opportunity for others to believe. Just before raising Lazarus, Jesus looked up to Me and thanked Me, saying, "I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
My gift of days isn't about suffering through the week and barely feeling renewed on Sunday. It's about accepting that My love for you is unfailing and My timing is perfect. I am your sovereign Creator. Wait for Me and live the real life that brings Me and My Son glory. Live the life that leads other people back home to My heart. And never forget how much you matter to Me.
Isaiah 64:4; John 11:14–15, 25, 42; 1 Corinthians 2:9
January 5
Precious child,
Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends." The Savior of the world is for you. The Holy One desires to treat you as a friend. The Lord Almighty seeks out your life and loves to know how your day is going. And when the world tells you that your life is meaningless, or that you don't matter, Jesus calls you friend. When anyone says you aren't good enough, Jesus says you are His prized possession! This is why you are a new creation. Before, you were lost in your sins, but now you are saved completely.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Jesus said this to His disciples, and when you open the Bible and read the same words, a powerful truth appears. You are such a true friend of Jesus that there is no greater love that anyone will ever be able to give you. He loves you more than anything, and He proved it when He gave up His life on the cross!
Jesus spoke to the people He did life with in this way: "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more." By position, you are no longer a slave to the world or anything it has to offer. You are My adopted child. You have been redeemed to be a light in the darkness. The enemy's plan is to destroy your walk with Me. But real friends don't keep a record of wrongs, just as I don't hold on to even one of your sins. I have removed your transgressions from you as far as the east is from the west. Friendship with Jesus is the only bond that will help you know how much I love and forgive you!
Psalm 103:12; Luke 12:4; John 15:13–15
January 6
Precious child,
Breathe. It's going to be okay. I am blessing you today with My courage. I want you to think about the time Jesus walked on water. The disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee as a strong wind whipped the water into threatening waves. Terrified, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and were filled with fear.
"Come," Jesus said. And Peter got out of the boat, kept his eyes on Jesus, and walked on the water. Jesus gives you this same courage. When you need to step out in faith but are afraid of the unknown, My courage will take you to the places I am calling you to. When you let life become a distraction and take your eyes off Jesus, you will start to sink. But Jesus will save you just like He saved Peter.
Moses spoke these words to his successor, Joshua: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." King David said almost the exact same thing when he spoke to his son Solomon about building the temple: "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."
Like Peter, Joshua, and Solomon, you will also do the work I have planned for you, and you will do it with the courage of your Savior! Today I am calling you to get out of a different boat called fear and step out onto the water of My will. It's all going to be okay because I love you.
Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Matthew 14:28–30
January 7
Precious child,
Jesus loves you so much He chose to leave heaven and take on the burden of flesh and bone. My servant Paul wrote, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!"
During the Last Supper, before Jesus was handed over to be crucified, He wiped the dirt from His disciples' feet onto the towel around His waist. Jesus told His friends, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." When you apply this gift of the Lord's humility, you show the people around you the love of Christ that they won't see anywhere else. Becoming humble means you let Jesus "wash you." You let Him take away the dirt in your life and praise Him for the forgiveness only He can give!
As you go today, remember how Jesus humbled Himself for you. He was stripped of His clothes. Pierced with a crown of thorns. Torn by the centurion's whip. Felt the soldiers' spit. Carried the cross. Was nailed to it. Shouldered the weight of your sin ...
Jesus went through all of that just for you! He went through it so you could be with us forever. Precious one, find ways to lift others up so they may see the real Jesus. The hard times of this day don't have a hold on you because the One who beat death lives in you! In humility, serve. The enemy will try to distract you with stress and confusion, but I am with you forever!
John 1:14; 13:8; Philippians 2:3–8; Hebrews 9:28
January 8
Precious child,
The book of Hebrews says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." The blood of Christ, shed on the cross, is the only atonement needed to cover sin. The beautiful gift of My forgiveness to save you from all of your sins comes by crying out to the Savior and surrendering your life to Him. Paul told the Roman church, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
A Samaritan woman Jesus met had five former husbands, but she finally found true love with Christ. After her time spent drinking the living water that Jesus offers, the woman was free to serve the Lord by proclaiming His glory. She had felt His forgiveness, and it opened her eyes to look past herself to people who didn't know Him. The result of her new mission was changed lives: "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony."
A paralytic man was carried by friends to Jesus in hopes of being healed. Jesus turned to the sick man and said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Before Jesus fixed the man, He fixed his heart! Jesus healed the paralytic man and told him to take his mat and go. All the way home, he praised God, so much so we read that everyone who saw him also praised God.
Be transparent with Jesus. Tell Him what's on your heart and confess your sins. Remember He died for you so that His forgiveness can heal the wounds of your deepest sin. Keep your life right and praise Him. Today, the broken ones will see your worship and turn their eyes to heaven. My child, your life literally means the world to Me!
Luke 5:19–20; John 4:39; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8–9; Hebrews 9:22
January 9
Precious child,
I know you are exhausted. I know you are distraught. Today, hear My gentle whisper remind you that only Jesus can make your heart strong. The Bible says, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." The enemy has clouded the world's vision, making people think that somehow they can discipline themselves long and hard enough to be strong for whatever life throws their way.
But you realize this and seek to love Me, the One who gave you life. I have filled you with the same strength that made the galaxies and the mountains and even raised Jesus from the dead! You are a light in the dark world so that the broken may see Me.
My servant Nehemiah undertook a very strenuous task of rebuilding the city wall around Jerusalem. He had a lot of detractors. Many people hoped he'd quit. His spirit for the project was weak. In the middle of it all, Nehemiah prayed: "Now strengthen my hands." Nehemiah used his hands to love Me, and through the answering of his prayer, I filled him with My supernatural power to complete the task! Job declared the same truth: "You have strengthened feeble hands." Both knew that the only way they could live life was by letting Me be their only Source.
Abide in Me through faith and feel Me be your strength. As you receive this powerful gift, you also acknowledge that you cannot do anything of eternal worth on your own. I will guide you always and remind you that I will satisfy your needs and strengthen you. I am faithful, and I will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. My strength in you isn't earthly power, but rather a miraculous chance to move mountains in love for My glory!
2 Chronicles 16:9; Nehemiah 6:9; Job 4:3; Romans 4:20; 2 Thessalonians 3:3
January 10
Precious child,
Always and abundantly your sweet Savior, Jesus, provides. For everything you need in life, only His provision satisfies. In Christ, you will find your greatest and richest prize.
Jesus was invited to a wedding in Cana, and during the celebration the host ran out of wine. Mary asked Jesus for help and then gathered the servants around and said, "Do whatever he tells you." My child, let the meaning of those words become part of your daily heart song. Not only does Jesus provide more than you ask for, but His provision is the best. What Jesus has to offer is always better than what you can make on your own. The master of the wedding banquet commented on the new wine that Jesus made: "Everyone brings out the choice wine first ... but you have saved the best till now."
Another time, Jesus provided for a gathering of more than five thousand hungry souls. When the crowd was satisfied, the disciples collected twelve basketfuls of leftovers. Jesus provides for your daily needs no matter how big or small, and He does so abundantly. The enemy tries to keep you satisfied with a "five fish and two loaves" life, but Jesus loves you so much that only He can transform it into a miraculous provision of grace. You will never have a need that Jesus can't fill.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Come Follow Me by Matt Koceich. Copyright © 2016 Matt Koceich. Excerpted by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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