Edit Old Article Topic

Prose

View

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<title>Following Jesus as Lord</title>
<style>
:root { --brand:#b9972c; --brand-2:#d4af37; --gold-50:#fdfcf6; --gold-500:#c2a94d; --gold-600:#8a6f1a; --navy-600:#1b2a49; --navy-700:#152038; --surface:#fff; --shadow:0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.08); --measure:680px; }

html, body {
  overflow: hidden; -webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;
  -webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;
  font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif;
  background:var(--gold-50); color:var(--navy-700);
  margin:0; padding:0;
}
@supports (height: 100svh) {
  html { height: -webkit-fill-available; }
  body { min-height: 100svh; }
}
@supports not (height: 100svh) {
  html { height: -webkit-fill-available; }
  body { min-height: -webkit-fill-available; }
}
header { max-width:var(--measure); margin:0 auto; padding:.75rem 1rem .5rem; }
h1 {
  text-align: center;
  color: var(--gold-600);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 2rem;
  margin: 0;
}
article {
  font-size:1.2rem;
  max-width:var(--measure);
  margin:.5rem auto 2rem;
  padding:.75rem 1rem;
  background:var(--surface);
  box-shadow:var(--shadow);
  border-radius:12px;
}
article::after { content:""; display:block; clear:both; }
p { margin:1em 0; line-height:1.6; }
p.lead { font-size:1.22rem; }
.dropcap:first-letter {
  float:left; font-size:2.6rem; font-weight:700; color:var(--brand);
  margin:.1rem .45rem 0 0; line-height:1;
}
h2, h3 {
  color:var(--gold-600);
  border-bottom:2px solid var(--brand);
  padding-bottom:.2em; margin-top:1.1rem;
}
article h2:first-of-type, article h3:first-of-type { margin-top:.7rem; }
a { color:var(--navy-600); text-decoration:underline; }
a[target="_blank"] { rel:noopener; }
blockquote {
  background:#fffaf1ff; border-left:4px solid var(--gold-500);
  margin:1.1em 0; padding:.65em .9em; font-style:italic;
}
.scripture {
  background:#fffaf1ff; border-left:4px solid var(--gold-500);
  padding:.7em .9em; margin:1.1em 0; font-style:italic;
}
.scripture .ref {
  display:block; text-align:right; font-style:normal;
  font-weight:600; margin-top:.45em;
}
ul { list-style:none; padding-left:1.2em; margin:.9em 0; }
ul li::before { content:"•"; color:var(--brand); margin-right:.5em; }
ol { margin:.9em 0 .9em 1.2em; }
.summary-box {
  background:#fffaf1ff; border:1px solid var(--gold-500);
  padding:1em; border-radius:8px; margin:1.1em 0;
}
body, article { overflow-wrap:anywhere; word-break:break-word; }
img, svg, video, iframe { max-width:100%; height:auto; display:block; }
pre { white-space:pre-wrap; overflow:auto; }
body, header, article { overflow-x:clip; }
</style>
</head>
<body>

<h1>Following Jesus as Lord</h1>

<p class="lead dropcap">Following Jesus as Lord is more than agreeing with a set of beliefs—it is placing every area of life under His loving rule. Scripture never separates Savior from Lord. Jesus rescues us and leads us. He forgives sin and reshapes the whole person. This is not oppressive leadership but liberating leadership: He leads us into the freedom of becoming who we were created to be.</p>

<p>Below is a clear, practical exploration of what it means to trust His leadership in all things.</p>

<h2>1. The Foundation: Jesus is Lord Over Everything</h2>

<p>Jesus is not merely an adviser, encourager, or spiritual consultant. He is the rightful King of the universe and the personal Lord of every believer.</p>

<div class="scripture">“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”<span class="ref">— Matthew 28:18</span></div>

<div class="scripture">“You are not your own… you were bought with a price.”<span class="ref">— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20</span></div>

<p>To follow Him is to recognize His authority and respond with joyful obedience. His commands are not burdens—they are life-giving. His leadership is not harsh—it is good, wise, patient, and perfect.</p>

<h2>2. Trusting His Leadership in Your Daily Decisions</h2>

<p>Most people trust Jesus for eternity but struggle to trust Him with Tuesday afternoon. Lordship touches real life:</p>

<ul>
<li>Your schedule</li>
<li>Your finances</li>
<li>Your relationships</li>
<li>Your sexuality</li>
<li>Your ambitions</li>
<li>Your fears</li>
<li>Your future</li>
</ul>

<p>Learning to trust Jesus means asking not, “What do I feel like doing?” but, “What does the Lord desire here?” His leadership is discovered in Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and the quiet conviction of the Holy Spirit.</p>

<h2>3. Surrender: The Doorway Into True Discipleship</h2>

<p>Surrender is not a one-time emotional moment—it is a lifestyle of saying “yes” to Him again and again.</p>

<p>True surrender means:</p>

<ul>
<li>Letting go of control</li>
<li>Letting God redefine success</li>
<li>Letting Jesus interrupt your plans</li>
<li>Allowing Scripture to challenge your instincts</li>
<li>Offering parts of your life you previously withheld</li>
</ul>

<p>Every time you surrender, you discover that Jesus is far more trustworthy than your own understanding.</p>

<h2>4. Obedience: The Evidence of Trust</h2>

<p>Obedience is not legalism—it is love expressed through action.</p>

<p>Jesus said:</p>

<div class="scripture">“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”<span class="ref">— John 14:15</span></div>

<p>Obedience is the natural response of a heart that trusts Jesus. It is not perfection—but direction. You will stumble, but His grace teaches and restores, not shames and crushes.</p>

<h2>5. Handing Over the Parts We Guard Most</h2>

<p>Every believer has “rooms” of the heart they tend to keep closed:</p>

<ul>
<li>The room of past wounds</li>
<li>The room of private sin</li>
<li>The room of identity and self-worth</li>
<li>The room of comfort and future plans</li>
</ul>

<p>Lordship means unlocking these rooms and letting Him lead, heal, correct, and rebuild with truth.</p>

<p>Where Jesus reigns, there is peace.<br>
Where we cling to control, there is fear.</p>

<h2>6. Lordship Brings Transformation, Not Restriction</h2>

<p>The command to follow Jesus is not a chain—it is a key.</p>

<p>The more Jesus leads:</p>

<ul>
<li>the more free you become,</li>
<li>the more stable you are,</li>
<li>the more your desires align with God’s,</li>
<li>the more clarity you experience,</li>
<li>the more your life bears fruit.</li>
</ul>

<p>His leadership restores what sin distorts.</p>

<h2>7. A Practical Prayer of Daily Lordship</h2>

<blockquote>“Jesus, You are Lord of my life.
I surrender my thoughts, desires, plans, and fears to You.
Lead me, correct me, guide me, strengthen me.
Help me to trust Your wisdom above my own.
Today, I choose to follow You with all that I am.
Amen.”</blockquote>

<h2>8. Reflective Questions for Application</h2>

<ol>
<li>Which part of your life is hardest to surrender to Christ’s leadership?</li>
<li>Where has your own understanding led to frustration or anxiety?</li>
<li>What would it look like to obey Jesus in a difficult area this week?</li>
<li>How can you cultivate a lifestyle of listening to the Spirit?</li>
<li>Who can walk with you as you grow in Christlike obedience?</li>
</ol>

</article>

</body>
</html>

Edit Topic ID: 13000

All Old Article Topics