"If you love me, keep my commandments."
- John 14:15

Earlier tonight as my wife and I prepared for the evening service at our church,  I was singing one of my favorite new songs.

"Knowing You" by Graham Kendrick is a new arrangement that we'll be singing this Sunday.  Our Praise Team -- of which I am the fearless leader -- is going to teach it to the congregation this week.

And, since we had practice prior to our evening service tonight, I was singing it as we prepared to leave.

The chorus goes "Knowing You, Jesus; Knowing You-- there is no greater thing.  You're my all, You're the best.  You're my joy, my righteousness.  And I love You, Lord."

Over and over I sung that chorus...

..."Knowing You, Jesus.  Knowing You."
..."Knowing You, Jesus. Knowing You."
..."Knowing You, Jesus.  Knowing You."
..."Knowing You, Jesus. Knowing You."

My little boy, now 18 months old, heard me singing. And he is beginning to learn how to talk.  He has a half dozen or so words that he says very well.

Apparently he wanted to sing along with me.  Only his words didn't come out quite the same. 

I was singing, "Knowing You, Jesus.  Knowing You."

He was singing, "No way, Jesus.  No way."

Now, in Jacob's case, it's just that he doesn't quite know how to pronounce many words.  And that's understandable.  He's only a year and a half old.

But, in many other cases, folks are singing that same tune -- and they mean every word of it.

Oh, not with their words, but with their lives.

Some folks live in such a way that you have no doubt they really mean "Knowing You, Jesus.  Knowing You.  There is no greater thing!"  You can tell it in the way they are faithful to serve Him, in the way they always seem to show they care, in the way they work honestly and dependably, in the way that they are unashamed to share their faith in Christ.

It just kind of shines through in everything they say and do.  Their lives are submitted and yielded to their Savior.

And then, there are those folks who you can read it loud and clear from their lives, "No way, Jesus.  No way."

It's obvious that they are living to please themselves, and only follow Christ when it is convenient -- if they follow Him at all.  They aren't committed to Him.  When push comes to shove and He has something for them to do that conflicts with their own plans...

..."No way, Jesus.  No way."

Christian, what about you and I?  Let's be real honest with ourselves this morning.  What kind of "song" is being sung by our lives?

When that "pest" at work or down the road or in the grocery store line just irritates us relentlessly, do we love them and treat them kindly as Jesus commanded us, or do our lives say "No way, Jesus. No way."

When we feel the call to witness to that certain person in our lives (and you know who it is), do we readily share our faith -- or do we afraid and insecure and indifferently say "No way, Jesus.  No way."

What about our time and our talents and our money? Are they yielded to the Father?  Do we give up our own plans and agendas to follow after His?  Are we willing to be unselfish and give ourselves to His call? That certain thing that I guarantee you God has laid upon your heart right now as you read this devotional -- will you obey Him, or will you say "No way, Jesus.  No way."

Christian, whatever God is speaking to you about right now, may you follow Him without question or hesitation.  May you and I both use this day to fulfill the purpose and plan that HE has given to us.

May we live in such a way today -- what we say and do, how we act and react, our attitudes and motives, our obedience and sacrifice -- that our lives sing loudly and emphatically...

..."Knowing You, Jesus.  Knowing You.  There is no greater thing!  You're my all, You're the best!  You're my joy, my righteousness.  And I LOVE YOU, LORD."

"If you love me, keep my commandments." - John 14:15

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!