Embracing Jesus' Invitation: Transformative Discipleship for All

Devotional

Day 1: The Call to Follow Jesus

Jesus calls ordinary people to follow Him, inviting them into a life of transformation and purpose. When Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee and called Simon Peter and Andrew, He was extending an invitation not just to a new way of living, but to become part of His movement—one that would continue for generations. This call is not reserved for the extraordinary, but for anyone willing to leave behind their old ways and trust in His promise to make them “fishers of men.” As you consider your own journey, remember that Jesus believes you can become like Him, and He desires to pass on His mission through you. [26:47]

Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV)
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where Jesus might be inviting you to “leave your nets” and follow Him more closely today?

Day 2: Jesus Is Always Present With Us

Jesus promises to be with us always, offering His presence, guidance, and strength in every moment. Even though the first disciples could see and hear Jesus physically, He assures us that through the Holy Spirit, He is just as present with us now as He was with them. This means you are never alone—whether in worship, in daily decisions, or in moments of uncertainty, Jesus is with you, ready to guide, comfort, and empower you. Practicing mindfulness of His presence can transform your outlook and bring peace, knowing that you have supernatural help for every situation. [28:14]

Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
“…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally remind yourself of Jesus’ presence with you during a challenging moment today?

Day 3: The Transforming Power of Following Jesus

Following Jesus leads to real transformation—healing, hope, and new life that impacts not just individuals but entire communities. Stories of faith, like that of May Winter and the lives changed at Round Lake Camp, show that when people encounter Jesus and accept His offer, brokenness is mended, families are restored, and hope is rekindled. This transformation is not just for the past; it is available to you today as you open your heart to His presence and calling. [36:23]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Reflection: Where have you seen Jesus bring transformation in your life or the lives of others, and how can you share that hope with someone this week?

Day 4: Practicing Mindfulness of Jesus’ Presence

Being mindful that Jesus is with you in every situation is a powerful discipleship practice that brings peace, wisdom, and purpose. Whether you are facing a difficult conversation, a busy day, or moments of feeling lost, pausing to ask Jesus for guidance can lift the fog and help you walk in His strength. This daily practice of inviting Jesus into your plans and reflecting on His faithfulness at the end of the day can deepen your relationship with Him and help you become more like Him. [35:04]

John 14:16-17 (ESV)
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Reflection: Before you begin your day, take a moment to ask Jesus, “What are we up to today?”—then write down what comes to mind and revisit it tonight.

Day 5: Relying on Jesus’ Strength, Not Our Own

We are called to live not in our own strength, but in the supernatural strength, wisdom, and love that Jesus provides. When we recognize our dependence on Him, we can face challenges with peace and confidence, knowing that He empowers us to do what we could never do alone. This reliance allows the fragrance of heaven to flow through us, bringing the kingdom of God into our daily lives and the lives of those around us. [40:33]

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Reflection: What is one task or relationship where you have been relying on your own strength? How can you invite Jesus to empower you in that area today?

Sermon Summary

This morning, the focus is on the life-changing invitation Jesus extends to each of us: “Come, follow me.” This call is not reserved for the extraordinary, but for ordinary people—just like Simon Peter and Andrew, who left their nets behind to walk with Jesus. The heart of this invitation is not simply to observe Jesus from a distance, but to become like him, to be transformed, and to carry his movement forward to the next generation. The journey of following Jesus is not about striving in our own strength, but about living in the reality of his constant presence with us. Jesus promises, “I am with you always,” and this is made real through the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides, comforts, and empowers us.

Being mindful of Jesus’ presence is the foundation of discipleship. It is in the everyday moments—whether making a difficult phone call, preparing for a busy day, or navigating the complexities of life—that we are invited to pause and remember: Jesus is with us. This mindfulness is not just a spiritual exercise, but a source of peace, wisdom, and strength. When we ask, “Jesus, what are we up to today?” we open ourselves to his guidance and allow his priorities to shape our actions. The stories of faith, like that of May Winter, remind us that ordinary people, empowered by the presence of Jesus, can have extraordinary impact. Her willingness to follow Jesus led to the transformation of countless lives, as she brought the good news to forgotten places and watched the healing power of Christ restore brokenness.

The challenge is to cultivate this awareness daily. Begin each morning by inviting Jesus into your plans, asking for his direction and strength. At the end of the day, reflect on where you sensed his presence and where you missed it, always returning to his grace. As we do this, we become conduits of his love and agents of his kingdom, bringing hope and transformation to those around us. The invitation to follow Jesus is ongoing, and as we respond, we discover that he is not only with us, but working through us, advancing his kingdom in ways we could never accomplish alone.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus’ call to “follow me” is an invitation to transformation, not just imitation. He believes we can become like him, carrying his mission forward to the next generation. This is a radical trust in our potential through his grace, not our own merit. [27:55]
2. The presence of Jesus is not a distant theological idea, but a living reality for every believer. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is with us in every moment, offering guidance, comfort, and empowerment for whatever we face. Practicing mindfulness of his presence is the foundation of true discipleship. [28:14]
3. Mindfulness of Christ’s presence changes how we approach daily life. In moments of confusion, stress, or decision, pausing to ask, “Jesus, what are we doing here?” brings clarity, peace, and purpose. This simple practice shifts our reliance from self to the supernatural wisdom and strength of Christ. [33:40]
4. The story of May Winter illustrates how ordinary faithfulness, rooted in dependence on Jesus, can have generational impact. Her willingness to follow Jesus into unknown places, trusting him for provision and strength, led to the transformation of many lives. Our small acts of obedience, empowered by his presence, can ripple far beyond what we see. [35:04]
5. Daily intentionality in following Jesus is both a challenge and a gift. Beginning each day by inviting Jesus into our plans, and ending with honest reflection, cultivates a life shaped by his priorities and grace. This rhythm not only deepens our relationship with him, but also makes us vessels of his kingdom in the world. [38:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Good News for a Change Outreach
[02:10] - The Heart Cry for Others to Know Jesus
[04:00] - Personal Encounter with Christ
[06:15] - Jesus Calls Ordinary People
[09:30] - The Meaning of “Follow Me”
[12:20] - Becoming Like Jesus
[15:05] - The Presence of Jesus Today
[18:30] - The Gift of the Holy Spirit
[21:00] - Practicing Mindfulness of Christ
[24:10] - Everyday Examples of Following Jesus
[27:00] - Jesus as Our Guide in Confusion
[29:45] - The Story of May Winter
[33:00] - Generational Impact of Faithfulness
[36:23] - Challenge: Daily Intentionality
[39:30] - Encouragement and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV) — > While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) — > And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation Questions

What did Jesus say to Simon Peter and Andrew when he first called them, and how did they respond? (Matthew 4:18-20)
According to the sermon, what did it mean for a rabbi to say “follow me” to someone in Jesus’ time? [26:47]
In Matthew 28:20, what promise does Jesus give to his disciples as he sends them out?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in the life of a follower of Jesus, according to the sermon? [28:14]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose ordinary people like fishermen to be his first disciples? What does this say about who can follow Jesus? [26:47]
The sermon says that following Jesus is not just about imitation, but transformation. What is the difference between the two, and why does it matter? [27:55]
How does being mindful of Jesus’ presence change the way a person faces daily challenges or decisions? [28:14]
The story of May Winter was shared as an example of ordinary faithfulness. What qualities did she show that made her life impactful for others? [35:04]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to begin each day by inviting Jesus into our plans. What would it look like for you to actually do this tomorrow morning? Is there a specific way you could remind yourself of his presence as you start your day? [36:23]
Think of a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed, confused, or unsure what to do. How might pausing to ask, “Jesus, what are we up to today?” have changed your response? [33:40]
The sermon describes practicing mindfulness of Jesus’ presence as the “single greatest help” in discipleship. What are some practical ways you could build this habit into your daily routine? [28:14]
May Winter trusted Jesus for provision and strength as she stepped into unknown places. Is there an area in your life where you sense God calling you to trust him more deeply? What is one small step you could take this week? [35:04]
At the end of each day, the sermon suggests reflecting on where you sensed Jesus’ presence and where you missed it. How could you make this a regular practice? What might help you be honest and open in this reflection? [38:45]
The sermon says that our small acts of obedience, empowered by Jesus’ presence, can have a ripple effect beyond what we see. Can you think of a time when a small step of faith made a bigger impact than you expected? [35:04]
Jesus’ invitation to “follow me” is ongoing. Is there a specific area of your life where you feel Jesus is inviting you to follow him more closely right now? What is holding you back, and what would help you take the next step? [27:55]

Sermon Clips

``And I remember that in that instant of a humble prayer, all of a sudden, I guess the darkness left and healing came. And there's this fire lit within me that's never actually dimmed. And I want what I received to be gifted to everyone and to let everyone know about the offer. [00:27:36] (22 seconds) #ShareTheFire

And so when jesus is saying come follow me i'll make you fishers of men jesus is saying i want to one day make you just like me and i'm going to pass you the baton peter and andrew and james and then you're going to continue my movement for the next generation. [00:29:09] (15 seconds) #PassingTheBaton

And somehow they might have thought that this is just another brand of judaism but as they began to follow jesus they began to recognize that jesus was more than just a jewish rabbi peter would get it he would say you are the christ that you're the son of the living god that you are the messiah that we've all longed for. [00:29:24] (22 seconds) #RecognizeTheMessiah

And so when he is calling them to follow him he is saying that we can be transformed changed made holy made righteous a fragrance of heaven can start to reside in this as we follow him. [00:30:20] (15 seconds) #TransformedByGrace

And when I'm lost, when I can just be mindful that Jesus is with me, he is my GPS, and I can just ask him, Lord, what is it that we're doing here? What is it that you want me to do? How is it that you want me to do it? All of a sudden, like, the fog lifts, and I find there's more purpose and meaning and peace in that moment. [00:34:36] (29 seconds) #FollowWithPurpose

I think the reason why this message is so important this morning is that when Jesus calls us to follow him that he is present he is present in every moment of your life and as we begin to be mindful of that we can get the grace that we need to be the people he's calling us to be and and the greater that we get at living this out the more peace we have because we're not doing in our own strength in our own wisdom no no we have his supernatural strength his supernatural wisdom his supernatural love to allow for heaven to be breathe in and through us and allow for the kingdom to come through us. [00:38:25] (46 seconds) #SupernaturalStrength

So this week I want to give you a challenge you know you're gonna have that morning coffee or tea and and if you can just stop for a moment and just ask yourself hey Jesus what are we up to today like like what do you want done in my life and and what are the prior what are your priorities today and you might want to jot down a few things that come to mind and then just pray okay Jesus help me to do this with your strength and then maybe at the end of the day you might go over that list that you made and and give thanks to the places where you were able to follow him to trust him and to thank him and the places where you maybe forgot or you missed the mark or got a little scared just just admit it and say okay next time we'll do better Jesus like like let's grow and be intentional about following him. [00:39:13] (55 seconds) #DailyJesusCheckIn

But what's important, too, is what Jesus is doing in and through your life. The places that are tough, where you're listening for him, and you're hearing him, and you're stepping out in faith, following him. Where you, too, are walking in water, and the kingdom of God is advancing through you. I will be just as encouraged by your stories as I hope you are by mine. [00:40:17] (28 seconds) #FaithInAction

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