<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><em>I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but<sup>]</sup>indeed you are bearing with me. <strong><sup>2 </sup></strong>For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. <strong><sup>3 </sup></strong>But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. </em></p><cite>(2 Corinthians 11:1-3, NASB)</cite></blockquote>



<p>There is a longing in our hearts for simplicity. For stripping things right back to the essentials. We see this desire reflected in our culture as well as resonating in our own hearts and minds.</p>



<p>As we journey together, we want to keep our clear focus simply on following Jesus together. Over the next few months, we will consider the One we are following – <strong><em>Jesus</em></strong>. We want to be reminded of, and learn to maintain, what Paul calls here the ‘simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.’</p>



<p>We keep things simple not primarily through personal organisation but by the purity of our hearts. Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, wrote that<em> ‘purity of heart is to will one thing</em>.’ It is the opposite of being double-minded (James 1:7-8). That is why James says <em>‘purify your hearts you double minded’</em> (4:8). Jesus is the ‘one thing necessary’ that we give our hearts and minds to. And so we must be devoted to Jesus, purely and simply, without anything competing in our hearts with him. To use the strong language that Paul uses here (and is used throughout the Bible), we must keep ourselves pure and chaste, a virgin for the one we are betrothed to, the lover of our souls, Jesus.</p>



<p>There are two kinds of things that Paul addresses here and in this letter that can divide people’s affections and cause them to lose this simplicity and purity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Deception</strong></h3>



<p>We can add something to the gospel other than Jesus. We subtly change the message to Jesus <em>plus</em> something (e.g. psychological well-being, social justice) and then the thing that we have added becomes more important than Jesus himself. Some false teachers in Corinth were doing this and it is a concern that Paul addresses in several of his letters, including Colossians. The message of the kingdom embraces many good things, including wellbeing and justice, but some people want the kingdom without the king. Such good things must never seduce us away from the pinpoint focus on Jesus himself.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Distraction</strong></h3>



<p>We can get distracted by many things, and one of the things that Paul addresses here is the distraction of personality and celebrity. Some in Corinth were comparing Paul unfavourably to other ‘super apostles’ (2 Cor.11:5). Others were dividing over their preferred leader or speaker (1 Cor.3:3-5). We can still do this. If you have favourite authors, speakers, TED talks, podcasts, YouTube channels etc., that’s fine if they help lead you to Jesus. But don’t let any of them replace Jesus. You will know you have done this when you forget his example and message that the last are first, that we die to live, that he calls the foolish to shame the wise etc. and start comparing some unfavourably to others. Beware the cult of personality in our age, and keep focused on the only person who ultimately matters, Jesus.</p>



<p>Paul does not address this here, but I see it often as something that leads us away from simply following Jesus</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Drift</strong></h3>



<p>In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer says <em>‘We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away’</em> (Heb.2:1). The message that they had heard was the message about Jesus. We can drift away from Jesus simply through the cares and trials of life. Sometimes just getting through the busyness of life is enough to cause us to drift. Hebrews is all about how Jesus is the perfect one, better than anything or anyone else. And the answer to drift is what its writer exhorts:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><em>…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.</em></p><cite>Hebrews 12:1-2</cite></blockquote>



<p>This year, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and follow him, purely and simply.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Trevor Lloyd - Devoted to Jesus" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QPdoz31KVRs?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but]indeed you are bearing with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:1-3, NASB) There is a longing in our hearts for simplicity. For stripping things right back to the essentials. We see this desire reflected in our culture as well as resonating in our own hearts and minds. As we journey together, we want to keep our clear focus simply on following Jesus together. Over the next few months, we will consider the One we are following – Jesus. We want to be reminded of, and learn to maintain, what Paul calls here the ‘simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.’ We keep things simple not primarily through personal organisation but by the purity of our hearts. Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, wrote that ‘purity of heart is to will one thing.’ It is the opposite of being double-minded (James 1:7-8). That is why James says ‘purify your hearts you double minded’ (4:8). Jesus is the ‘one thing necessary’ that we give our hearts and minds to. And so we must be devoted to Jesus, purely and simply, without anything competing in our hearts with him. To use the strong language that Paul uses here (and is used throughout the Bible), we must keep ourselves pure and chaste, a virgin for the one we are betrothed to, the lover of our souls, Jesus. There are two kinds of things that Paul addresses here and in this letter that can divide people’s affections and cause them to lose this simplicity and purity. Deception We can add something to the gospel other than Jesus. We subtly change the message to Jesus plus something (e.g. psychological well-being, social justice) and then the thing that we have added becomes more important than Jesus himself. Some false teachers in Corinth were doing this and it is a concern that Paul addresses in several of his letters, including Colossians. The message of the kingdom embraces many good things, including wellbeing and justice, but some people want the kingdom without the king. Such good things must never seduce us away from the pinpoint focus on Jesus himself. Distraction We can get distracted by many things, and one of the things that Paul addresses here is the distraction of personality and celebrity. Some in Corinth were comparing Paul unfavourably to other ‘super apostles’ (2 Cor.11:5). Others were dividing over their preferred leader or speaker (1 Cor.3:3-5). We can still do this. If you have favourite authors, speakers, TED talks, podcasts, YouTube channels etc., that’s fine if they help lead you to Jesus. But don’t let any of them replace Jesus. You will know you have done this when you forget his example and message that the last are first, that we die to live, that he calls the foolish to shame the wise etc. and start comparing some unfavourably to others. Beware the cult of personality in our age, and keep focused on the only person who ultimately matters, Jesus. Paul does not address this here, but I see it often as something that leads us away from simply following Jesus Drift In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer says ‘We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away’ (Heb.2:1). The message that they had heard was the message about Jesus. We can drift away from Jesus simply through the cares and trials of life. Sometimes just getting through the busyness of life is enough to cause us to drift. Hebrews is all about how Jesus is the perfect one, better than anything or anyone else. And the answer to drift is what its writer exhorts: …let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.Hebrews 12:1-2 This year, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and follow him, purely and simply.

<p><em>I wish that you would&nbsp;bear with me in a little&nbsp;foolishness; but]indeed you are bearing with me.&nbsp;<strong>2&nbsp;</strong>For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I&nbsp;betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might&nbsp;present you&nbsp;as&nbsp;a pure virgin.&nbsp;<strong>3&nbsp;</strong>But I am afraid that, as the&nbsp;serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity&nbsp;of devotion&nbsp;to Christ. </em></p>(2 Corinthians 11:1-3, NASB)



<p>There is a longing in our hearts for simplicity. For stripping things right back to the essentials. We see this desire reflected in our culture as well as resonating in our own hearts and minds.</p>



<p>As we journey together, we want to keep our clear focus simply on following Jesus together. Over the next few months, we will consider the One we are following – <strong><em>Jesus</em></strong>. We want to be reminded of, and learn to maintain, what Paul calls here the ‘simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.’</p>



<p>We keep things simple not primarily through personal organisation but by the purity of our hearts. Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, wrote that<em> ‘purity of heart is to will one thing</em>.’ It is the opposite of being double-minded (James 1:7-8). That is why James says <em>‘purify your hearts you double minded’</em> (4:8). Jesus is the ‘one thing necessary’ that we give our hearts and minds to. And so we must be devoted to Jesus, purely and simply, without anything competing in our hearts with him. To use the strong language that Paul uses here (and is used throughout the Bible), we must keep ourselves pure and chaste, a virgin for the one we are betrothed to, the lover of our souls, Jesus.</p>



<p>There are two kinds of things that Paul addresses here and in this letter that can divide people’s affections and cause them to lose this simplicity and purity.</p>



<strong>Deception</strong>



<p>We can add something to the gospel other than Jesus. We subtly change the message to Jesus <em>plus</em> something (e.g. psychological well-being, social justice) and then the thing that we have added becomes more important than Jesus himself. Some false teachers in Corinth were doing this and it is a concern that Paul addresses in several of his letters, including Colossians. The message of the kingdom embraces many good things, including wellbeing and justice, but some people want the kingdom without the king. Such good things must never seduce us away from the pinpoint focus on Jesus himself.</p>



<strong>Distraction</strong>



<p>We can get distracted by many things, and one of the things that Paul addresses here is the distraction of personality and celebrity. Some in Corinth were comparing Paul unfavourably to other ‘super apostles’ (2 Cor.11:5). Others were dividing over their preferred leader or speaker (1 Cor.3:3-5). We can still do this. If you have favourite authors, speakers, TED talks, podcasts, YouTube channels etc., that’s fine if they help lead you to Jesus. But don’t let any of them replace Jesus. You will know you have done this when you forget his example and message that the last are first, that we die to live, that he calls the foolish to shame the wise etc. and start comparing some unfavourably to others. Beware the cult of personality in our age, and keep focused on the only person who ultimately matters, Jesus.</p>



<p>Paul does not address this here, but I see it often as something that leads us away from simply following Jesus</p>



<strong>Drift</strong>



<p>In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer says <em>‘We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away’</em> (Heb.2:1). The message that they had heard was the message about Jesus. We can drift away from Jesus simply through the cares and trials of life. Sometimes just getting through the busyness of life is enough to cause us to drift. Hebrews is all about how Jesus is the perfect one, better than anything or anyone else. And the answer to drift is what its writer exhorts:</p>



<p><em>…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,&nbsp;fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.</em></p>Hebrews 12:1-2



<p>This year, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and follow him, purely and simply.</p>







Devoted to Jesus

<p>If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to walk. Walking is used in the Bible as a metaphor – to walk with God is to live a life of daily trust and obedience, step by step. It is <em>‘keeping in step with the Holy Spirit’</em> (Gal.5:25) as we go on this journey of life. We don’t follow Jesus by sitting down or standing still when he is walking.</p>



<p>In John 5:1-8, Jesus met a man who had been paralysed for years – and enabled him to walk. We can be paralysed with fear, anxiety, cynicism, familiarity and complacency, self-pity etc. We get stuck. We’ve stopped moving. In this case, the man was physically paralysed but even here Jesus suggests there is a mindset that he is going to have to break out of as part of his healing. This is perhaps why he asks him the question ‘would you like to get well?’ Jesus can set us free from mindsets that stop us from walking and following.</p>



<p>The response of the man indicates some of the mindsets that we can get into. His immediate response was <em>‘I can’t’</em>. He then expressed his dependence on others – <em>‘I have no one to help me’</em> – and he was clearly waiting for only a particular supernatural moment – <em>‘when the pool bubbles up.’ </em>And there is a hint even of resentment – <em>‘someone else always gets there ahead of me…’</em></p>



<p>We have learned in recent years the importance of being open and transparent about our weaknesses and failures. We have seen the importance of vulnerability. We have also seen the importance of empathy – of not being quick to judge people but trying to understand what it is like to be in their place. Empathy is good. But any good counsellor will tell you that, as well as the need for empathy, you have to help people take responsibility. Discipleship, following Jesus, is not possible if we do not take personal responsibility, make good choices, and act on them. There are steps we have to take. Otherwise, we are being powerless and living as a victim. Vulnerability does not have to mean victimhood.</p>



<p>Disciples of Jesus don’t get stuck in ‘I can’t’ but say ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’. Or maybe, ‘I can’t but God can’. It is good we are following Jesus together and we need mutual encouragement and support – but we can never use the lack of that at times as a reason not to follow. We have to encourage ourselves in the Lord. There are also special moments of miracle and thank God for them, but the disciple is not waiting for something to happen before he starts to follow. The follower is walking not waiting. And we’re not comparing ourselves to others but taking responsibility for ourselves.</p>



<p>And so, one of the words we need to hear from Jesus at times is <strong><em>‘stand up, pick up your mat and walk.</em>‘</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stand Up</strong></h2>



<p>Sometimes we have to break out of an unhelpful mindset and start walking to start following. We’ve got to ‘stand up’ on the inside. One good way to stand up is to start thanking God for what we have and for what we can do in his strength. We stand in his strength and make the choice to rejoice!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pick up your mat</strong>.</h2>



<p>In other words, hold on to your history. Don’t deny it, don’t despise it. It is part of your story, but it isn’t your identity. That pain, that hurt, that rejection, that disappointment that you’ve lain down on all this time. Roll it up. And carry it. You don’t deny it, but neither are you defined by it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Walk</em></strong><em>.</em></h2>



<p>Follow him. Take whatever steps lie before you now. Sometimes it is just enough to put one foot in front of the other. Discipleship is long obedience in the same direction. Just keep taking those steps of faith and obedience every day. Whether you feel his presence or not. Even when you want to give up. Keep walking. There will be times when you walk with a spring in your step and a song in your heart, when you mount up with wings like eagles, and are flying not walking. And there may be other times when you can barely hold yourself upright. There’ll be times when you stumble and fall. But keep walking.</p>



<p>Walking will mean doing the same thing each day at time – have those practices, those routines that help you to keep walking: start the day with prayer, read you Bible, have times of waiting quietly before God etc. They are the steps that help you to walk each day.</p>



<p>Walking also means walking things through that need to be walked through, or worked through. You don’t just lie down on that offence, or that disappointment, hoping that one day, at someone else’s initiative it will disappear! You have to stand up and walk it through. Forgive that person, or ask for forgiveness, have that honest conversation. Don’t lie on it. Walk it through.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Disciples are Pilgrims</strong></h2>



<p>Disciples walk. Apprentices are pilgrims. If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to have the heart and mind of a pilgrim. Not that of a pool-watcher. As charismatics, we can sometimes have the mindset of waiting for that special moment, the next big meeting, the great time of worship, that ministry. We can be sitting around waiting for the next wave.</p>



<p>Psalm 84 teaches us a better way:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><em>Blessed are those whose strength is in you,</em></p><p><em>    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.</em></p><p><em>As they pass through the Valley of Baka,</em></p><p><em>    they make it a place of springs;</em></p><p><em>    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.   </em></p><cite>(Psalm 84:5-6)</cite></blockquote>



<p>Would you rather be a pool watcher or a pool creator? When we walk as pilgrims, as disciples, we are not focused on our self or on an experience. We are focused on God’s presence – this is a song about presence. But Baka is the valley of weeping. It is the wilderness of our broken world where there is much pain and weeping. If we are true followers who have set are heart on following, on walking, on pilgrimage, on the pursuit of his presence, then the Holy Spirit will work through us to be a blessing to this world. And through us he’ll create springs and pools. And he’ll do it because we are pilgrims. Because we are pursuing him. Because we are followers. Because we have stood up and walked to follow. </p>



<p>There is a PDF version of this <a href="https://cchud.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Walking-To-Follow-Blog-Posts.pdf">here. </a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="We Have to Walk to Follow" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f58TvK03fj4?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to walk. Walking is used in the Bible as a metaphor – to walk with God is to live a life of daily trust and obedience, step by step. It is ‘keeping in step with the Holy Spirit’ (Gal.5:25) as we go on this journey of life. We don’t follow Jesus by sitting down or standing still when he is walking. In John 5:1-8, Jesus met a man who had been paralysed for years – and enabled him to walk. We can be paralysed with fear, anxiety, cynicism, familiarity and complacency, self-pity etc. We get stuck. We’ve stopped moving. In this case, the man was physically paralysed but even here Jesus suggests there is a mindset that he is going to have to break out of as part of his healing. This is perhaps why he asks him the question ‘would you like to get well?’ Jesus can set us free from mindsets that stop us from walking and following. The response of the man indicates some of the mindsets that we can get into. His immediate response was ‘I can’t’. He then expressed his dependence on others – ‘I have no one to help me’ – and he was clearly waiting for only a particular supernatural moment – ‘when the pool bubbles up.’ And there is a hint even of resentment – ‘someone else always gets there ahead of me…’ We have learned in recent years the importance of being open and transparent about our weaknesses and failures. We have seen the importance of vulnerability. We have also seen the importance of empathy – of not being quick to judge people but trying to understand what it is like to be in their place. Empathy is good. But any good counsellor will tell you that, as well as the need for empathy, you have to help people take responsibility. Discipleship, following Jesus, is not possible if we do not take personal responsibility, make good choices, and act on them. There are steps we have to take. Otherwise, we are being powerless and living as a victim. Vulnerability does not have to mean victimhood. Disciples of Jesus don’t get stuck in ‘I can’t’ but say ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’. Or maybe, ‘I can’t but God can’. It is good we are following Jesus together and we need mutual encouragement and support – but we can never use the lack of that at times as a reason not to follow. We have to encourage ourselves in the Lord. There are also special moments of miracle and thank God for them, but the disciple is not waiting for something to happen before he starts to follow. The follower is walking not waiting. And we’re not comparing ourselves to others but taking responsibility for ourselves. And so, one of the words we need to hear from Jesus at times is ‘stand up, pick up your mat and walk.‘ Stand Up Sometimes we have to break out of an unhelpful mindset and start walking to start following. We’ve got to ‘stand up’ on the inside. One good way to stand up is to start thanking God for what we have and for what we can do in his strength. We stand in his strength and make the choice to rejoice! Pick up your mat. In other words, hold on to your history. Don’t deny it, don’t despise it. It is part of your story, but it isn’t your identity. That pain, that hurt, that rejection, that disappointment that you’ve lain down on all this time. Roll it up. And carry it. You don’t deny it, but neither are you defined by it. Walk. Follow him. Take whatever steps lie before you now. Sometimes it is just enough to put one foot in front of the other. Discipleship is long obedience in the same direction. Just keep taking those steps of faith and obedience every day. Whether you feel his presence or not. Even when you want to give up. Keep walking. There will be times when you walk with a spring in your step and a song in your heart, when you mount up with wings like eagles, and are flying not walking. And there may be other times when you can barely hold yourself upright. There’ll be times when you stumble and fall. But keep walking. Walking will mean doing the same thing each day at time – have those practices, those routines that help you to keep walking: start the day with prayer, read you Bible, have times of waiting quietly before God etc. They are the steps that help you to walk each day. Walking also means walking things through that need to be walked through, or worked through. You don’t just lie down on that offence, or that disappointment, hoping that one day, at someone else’s initiative it will disappear! You have to stand up and walk it through. Forgive that person, or ask for forgiveness, have that honest conversation. Don’t lie on it. Walk it through. Disciples are Pilgrims Disciples walk. Apprentices are pilgrims. If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to have the heart and mind of a pilgrim. Not that of a pool-watcher. As charismatics, we can sometimes have the mindset of waiting for that special moment, the next big meeting, the great time of worship, that ministry. We can be sitting around waiting for the next wave. Psalm 84 teaches us a better way: Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. (Psalm 84:5-6) Would you rather be a pool watcher or a pool creator? When we walk as pilgrims, as disciples, we are not focused on our self or on an experience. We are focused on God’s presence – this is a song about presence. But Baka is the valley of weeping. It is the wilderness of our broken world where there is much pain and weeping. If we are true followers who have set are heart on following, on walking, on pilgrimage, on the pursuit of his presence, then the Holy Spirit will work through us to be a blessing to this world. And through us he’ll create springs and pools. And he’ll do it because we are pilgrims. Because we are pursuing him. Because we are followers. Because we have stood up and walked to follow. There is a PDF version of this here.

<p>If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to walk. Walking is used in the Bible as a metaphor – to walk with God is to live a life of daily trust and obedience, step by step. It is <em>‘keeping in step with the Holy Spirit’</em> (Gal.5:25) as we go on this journey of life. We don’t follow Jesus by sitting down or standing still when he is walking.</p>



<p>In John 5:1-8, Jesus met a man who had been paralysed for years – and enabled him to walk. We can be paralysed with fear, anxiety, cynicism, familiarity and complacency, self-pity etc. We get stuck. We’ve stopped moving. In this case, the man was physically paralysed but even here Jesus suggests there is a mindset that he is going to have to break out of as part of his healing. This is perhaps why he asks him the question ‘would you like to get well?’ Jesus can set us free from mindsets that stop us from walking and following.</p>



<p>The response of the man indicates some of the mindsets that we can get into. His immediate response was <em>‘I can’t’</em>. He then expressed his dependence on others – <em>‘I have no one to help me’</em> – and he was clearly waiting for only a particular supernatural moment – <em>‘when the pool bubbles up.’ </em>And there is a hint even of resentment – <em>‘someone else always gets there ahead of me…’</em></p>



<p>We have learned in recent years the importance of being open and transparent about our weaknesses and failures. We have seen the importance of vulnerability. We have also seen the importance of empathy – of not being quick to judge people but trying to understand what it is like to be in their place. Empathy is good. But any good counsellor will tell you that, as well as the need for empathy, you have to help people take responsibility. Discipleship, following Jesus, is not possible if we do not take personal responsibility, make good choices, and act on them. There are steps we have to take. Otherwise, we are being powerless and living as a victim. Vulnerability does not have to mean victimhood.</p>



<p>Disciples of Jesus don’t get stuck in ‘I can’t’ but say ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’. Or maybe, ‘I can’t but God can’. It is good we are following Jesus together and we need mutual encouragement and support – but we can never use the lack of that at times as a reason not to follow. We have to encourage ourselves in the Lord. There are also special moments of miracle and thank God for them, but the disciple is not waiting for something to happen before he starts to follow. The follower is walking not waiting. And we’re not comparing ourselves to others but taking responsibility for ourselves.</p>



<p>And so, one of the words we need to hear from Jesus at times is <strong><em>‘stand up, pick up your mat and walk.</em>‘</strong></p>



<strong>Stand Up</strong>



<p>Sometimes we have to break out of an unhelpful mindset and start walking to start following. We’ve got to ‘stand up’ on the inside. One good way to stand up is to start thanking God for what we have and for what we can do in his strength. We stand in his strength and make the choice to rejoice!</p>



<strong>Pick up your mat</strong>.



<p>In other words, hold on to your history. Don’t deny it, don’t despise it. It is part of your story, but it isn’t your identity. That pain, that hurt, that rejection, that disappointment that you’ve lain down on all this time. Roll it up. And carry it. You don’t deny it, but neither are you defined by it.</p>



<strong><em>Walk</em></strong><em>.</em>



<p>Follow him. Take whatever steps lie before you now. Sometimes it is just enough to put one foot in front of the other. Discipleship is long obedience in the same direction. Just keep taking those steps of faith and obedience every day. Whether you feel his presence or not. Even when you want to give up. Keep walking. There will be times when you walk with a spring in your step and a song in your heart, when you mount up with wings like eagles, and are flying not walking. And there may be other times when you can barely hold yourself upright. There’ll be times when you stumble and fall. But keep walking.</p>



<p>Walking will mean doing the same thing each day at time – have those practices, those routines that help you to keep walking: start the day with prayer, read you Bible, have times of waiting quietly before God etc. They are the steps that help you to walk each day.</p>



<p>Walking also means walking things through that need to be walked through, or worked through. You don’t just lie down on that offence, or that disappointment, hoping that one day, at someone else’s initiative it will disappear! You have to stand up and walk it through. Forgive that person, or ask for forgiveness, have that honest conversation. Don’t lie on it. Walk it through.</p>



<strong>Disciples are Pilgrims</strong>



<p>Disciples walk. Apprentices are pilgrims. If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to have the heart and mind of a pilgrim. Not that of a pool-watcher. As charismatics, we can sometimes have the mindset of waiting for that special moment, the next big meeting, the great time of worship, that ministry. We can be sitting around waiting for the next wave.</p>



<p>Psalm 84 teaches us a better way:</p>



<p><em>Blessed are those whose strength is in you,</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.</em></p><p><em>As they pass through the Valley of Baka,</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; they make it a place of springs;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. &nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>(Psalm 84:5-6)



<p>Would you rather be a pool watcher or a pool creator? When we walk as pilgrims, as disciples, we are not focused on our self or on an experience. We are focused on God’s presence – this is a song about presence. But Baka is the valley of weeping. It is the wilderness of our broken world where there is much pain and weeping. If we are true followers who have set are heart on following, on walking, on pilgrimage, on the pursuit of his presence, then the Holy Spirit will work through us to be a blessing to this world. And through us he’ll create springs and pools. And he’ll do it because we are pilgrims. Because we are pursuing him. Because we are followers. Because we have stood up and walked to follow.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There is a PDF version of this <a href="https://cchud.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Walking-To-Follow-Blog-Posts.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">here. </a></p>







We have to walk to follow

<p>We were joined by Lukundo for our Church Away Day where we were challenged to count the cost as we prepare for change.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="15th July 2023 | Church Day Away | Prepare For Change | Lukundo Fagade" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2QlKHCibvlk?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

We were joined by Lukundo for our Church Away Day where we were challenged to count the cost as we prepare for change.

<p>We were joined by Lukundo for our Church Away Day where we were challenged to count the cost as we prepare for change.</p>







Prepare For Change

<p>We believe in a God who can and does do instant miracles. But each and everyone of us has experienced moments where God feels far away, when the miracles don’t appear the way we hoped. So what is our response in these moments? This week Dan encourages us to have hands of lament and hands of praise.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="9th July 2023 | Prepare the Hands of Lament & Of Praise | Dan Lush" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k7LopKgs6G0?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

We believe in a God who can and does do instant miracles. But each and everyone of us has experienced moments where God feels far away, when the miracles don’t appear the way we hoped. So what is our response in these moments? This week Dan encourages us to have hands of lament and hands of praise.

<p>We believe in a God who can and does do instant miracles. But each and everyone of us has experienced moments where God feels far away, when the miracles don’t appear the way we hoped. So what is our response in these moments? This week Dan encourages us to have hands of lament and hands of praise.</p>







Prepare the Hands of Lament and of Praise

<p>Trevor looks at what it really means to have clean hands as well as a pure heart as we prepare to seek God’s presence.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="25th June 2023 | Who May Ascend The Hill Of The Lord | Trevor Lloyd   HD 1080p" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CQk9yYQJP2Q?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

Trevor looks at what it really means to have clean hands as well as a pure heart as we prepare to seek God’s presence.

<p>Trevor looks at what it really means to have clean hands as well as a pure heart as we prepare to seek God’s presence.</p>







Who May Ascend The Hill Of The Lord?

<p>What rules do we live by and why? Jesus asks us to demonstrate his love by obeying his commands. Obedience is more than just blindly following rules, it is an act of intimacy and trust as Dan explains.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="18th June 2023 | Prepare the Hands of Obedience | Dan Lush" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WfNXf9_9ues?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

What rules do we live by and why? Jesus asks us to demonstrate his love by obeying his commands. Obedience is more than just blindly following rules, it is an act of intimacy and trust as Dan explains.

<p>What rules do we live by and why? Jesus asks us to demonstrate his love by obeying his commands. Obedience is more than just blindly following rules, it is an act of intimacy and trust as Dan explains.</p>







Preparing the Hands of Obedience

<p>As we stand at the threshold, we are called to be courageous, to stand firm and to work together to bless our communities. Here’s Janette to explain more.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="11th June 2023 | Standing At The Threshold | Janette Battye" width="1080" height="810" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8kPusqFO0Js?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

As we stand at the threshold, we are called to be courageous, to stand firm and to work together to bless our communities. Here’s Janette to explain more.

<p>As we stand at the threshold, we are called to be courageous, to stand firm and to work together to bless our communities. Here’s Janette to explain more.</p>







Standing at the Threshold

<p>Preparing our heart’s is an essential part of preparing for a move of God, so is preparing our hands. Carrying His presence is a privilege won for us by Jesus on the cross and, though a source of immense joy, must be approached with reverence.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="4th June 2023 | Carrying His Presence | Richard Rathod" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-gMp91yKjDk?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

Preparing our heart’s is an essential part of preparing for a move of God, so is preparing our hands. Carrying His presence is a privilege won for us by Jesus on the cross and, though a source of immense joy, must be approached with reverence.

<p>Preparing our heart’s is an essential part of preparing for a move of God, so is preparing our hands. Carrying His presence is a privilege won for us by Jesus on the cross and, though a source of immense joy, must be approached with reverence.</p>







Carrying His Presence

<p>The story of David and Bathsheba is a sad story which goes from bad to worse. David later prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God”. How can we learn from David’s mistakes and make sure our hearts are undivided?</p>



<p>**We apologise for the poor audio quality on this recording**</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="28th May 23 | The Peril of a Divided Heart | Trevor Shotter" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6kxgYWYdp2U?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

The story of David and Bathsheba is a sad story which goes from bad to worse. David later prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God”. How can we learn from David’s mistakes and make sure our hearts are undivided? **We apologise for the poor audio quality on this recording**

<p>The story of David and Bathsheba is a sad story which goes from bad to worse. David later prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God”. How can we learn from David’s mistakes and make sure our hearts are undivided?</p>



<p>**We apologise for the poor audio quality on this recording**</p>







The Peril of a Divided Heart

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="14th May 2023 | Start with the Heart | Trevor Lloyd" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f73I2dXXw-s?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>If we are going to prepare for the presence of God, then we need to start by preparing the ‘inner sanctuary’, the hidden place of the heart. It is time to break up the unploughed places of our heart until he comes…</p>

If we are going to prepare for the presence of God, then we need to start by preparing the ‘inner sanctuary’, the hidden place of the heart. It is time to break up the unploughed places of our heart until he comes…







<p>If we are going to prepare for the presence of God, then we need to start by preparing the ‘inner sanctuary’, the hidden place of the heart. It is time to break up the unploughed places of our heart until he comes…</p>

Start with the Heart

<p>When Samuel called the Israelites together at Mizpah there were some key things they needed to do in order for God to move. Sara highlights 5 things from the passage that will help in our own preparation. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="7th May 2023 | Preparing for God to Move | Sara Cosgrove" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PtrAwLJUmMk?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

When Samuel called the Israelites together at Mizpah there were some key things they needed to do in order for God to move. Sara highlights 5 things from the passage that will help in our own preparation.

<p>When Samuel called the Israelites together at Mizpah there were some key things they needed to do in order for God to move. Sara highlights 5 things from the passage that will help in our own preparation.&nbsp;</p>







Preparing for God to Move

<p>As the people of Israel prepared to enter the promised land God called Joshua to be “Strong and Very Courageous”, not because he was weak but because new things were coming. As we PREPARE for what God has for us next, Dan encourages us to do the same.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="30th April 2023 | Be Strong and Very Courageous | Dan Lush" width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MAAB9QAv634?feature=oembed"  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

As the people of Israel prepared to enter the promised land God called Joshua to be “Strong and Very Courageous”, not because he was weak but because new things were coming. As we PREPARE for what God has for us next, Dan encourages us to do the same.

<p>As the people of Israel prepared to enter the promised land God called Joshua to be “Strong and Very Courageous”, not because he was weak but because new things were coming. As we PREPARE for what God has for us next, Dan encourages us to do the same.</p>







Be Strong and Very Courageous

Live recordings of Inspirational & Practical Teaching & Preaching from regular cchud meetings.

Religion & Spirituality

Christianity

Live recordings of Inspirational &amp; Practical Teaching &amp; Preaching from regular cchud meetings.

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