I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Matthew 16:24

(This is a special devotion prepared by Pastor Ken for today…)

Matthew 16:24 is another “follow me” scripture

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross and follow me.'”

Again, it is our choice to decide to follow Jesus!

The hymn, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is based on the last words of a man in Garo Assam, India. Welsh missionaries had come to this area with a gospel message of love, peace and hope, While not welcomed by everyone, a missionary was able to lead a man, his wife and his two children to the Lord. The man’s faith was contagious, and began to spread in the village, which angered the village chief. They were brought before the chief and were told to renounce their faith or face public execution.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man began to sing “I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back.”

They ordered his children killed

“Will you deny your faith?” asked the chief.

“Though no one join me, still I will follow…no turning back”

They ordered his wife killed.

“Will you now deny your faith and live?” asked the chief.

“The cross before me, the world behind me…no turning back.”

They ordered his execution and he was killed.

But a miracle took place!

The chief said, ‘Because he was willing to die for a man from far away, that lived some 2000 years ago, there must be some remarkable power and I want to taste that faith!” And he and the entire village gave their hearts to the Lord and followed Jesus!

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