January 2025

“If yuh fallah (follow) people…” my mom would often say in strongly accented Jamaican Patios with all its passion and intonations, while rolling her eyes in disgust.

“If yuh fallah people… yuh spen’ money yuh nuh (don’t) have!”

“If yuh fallah people… yuh lose yuh salvation!”

Not too sure about her theology on that one but nothing good usually came after “If yuh fallah people…” Somebody following these “people” was going to end badly!

It feels like we all have family members or friends who have walked away from following Jesus, His teachings and His Kingdom. I’m not talking about those who choose to go their own way when The Way no longer suits what they want out of life. I am talking about those who have been mis-led, deceived and often deeply wounded by “fallah-ing” people whom they thought were following Jesus.

Believe me, Jesus knows those people; the weeds growing with the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43), the wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-20), the ones about whom He warned:

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

He also warned us that as the time for His return gets closer deception would increase exponentially!

Jesus told them (His disciples), “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. (Mattew 24:4-5)

Many will come claiming to carry His anointing, and to follow His teachings, and “if yuh fallah people…” the deceived, deceptive, immoral, manipulative,abusive, self-serving, building-their-own-kingdom, narcissistic liars, they could literally blowup your faith and destroy your relationship with Jesus.

So, what protects the sheep from the wolves?

Follow Jesus! Not people! The call to His first followers turned disciples remains unchanged across the centuries, “Come, follow ME!” Not churches, not spiritual leaders, not anybody!

We have ONE Good Shepherd. Everybody else, especially those in positions of influence or leadership work for HIM! The minute they stop following Him, we must stop walking with them!

We, individually and personally must “take His yoke” – His entire body of teachings, and learn, for ourselves– let the Holy Spirit teach us (Matthew 11:29-30). As we invest in learning and obeying the truth of His Word and praying – staying in continual communication – we will be able to accurately discern – ‘suss out’ the seductions, deceptions and outright lies.

…let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith… (Hebrews 12:1b-2a)

FOLLOW JESUS my friends, because “If yuh fallah people…”

Last December I had some friends over for dinner and because it was the first day of Advent I asked one of my guests if he would do a short devotional for us between dinner and dessert. What he shared about Simeon was so compelling, it made me want to delve deeper and get all up in this man’s “bizniz”!

Simeon is a relatively minor figure in the narrative of Jesus’ birth, but he was deeply devoted, righteous, expectant, Holy Spirit-led, and a prophet without fear or favor. However, contrary to common belief, what he may NOT have been, was old and about to die.

Scripture describes him as devout, living right with God, and eagerly looking for the promised Messiah despite 400 years of prophetic silence.

“It had been revealed to Him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.” Luke 2:26

He followed the Holy Spirit’s lead to go to the temple that day when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to be dedicated to the Lord.

“Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised, For my eyes have seen your salvation.” Luke 2:29-30

At first glance it might seem from the text that Simeon was saying, “I’m old and content to die now.” The promise that he would live to see the Messiah had been fulfilled.

But what if, as my friend shared and many scholars believe, Simeon was not talking about dying at all but about the fulfillment of his deepest desire, his steadfast, unshakeable hope, and his greatest joy – to see with his own eyes the One who would bring God’s salvation to the whole world.

Nothing Simeon would experience or accomplish for the rest of his life could compare to seeing God’s Word literally come alive. The Holy Spirit’s revelation had become his life’s mission. He knew exactly Who this baby was and what He would do, so Simeon began to prophesy!

“He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of your people Israel!… This Child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will place your very soul.” Luke 2:32,34-35.

Poor Mary, but that’s a story for another day!

Hundreds of years passed yet Simeon was still eagerly awaiting the arrival of Messiah because he believed God. Obedience led him to exactly the right place and time to see the promise fulfilled.

Thousands of years later, are we just as eagerly awaiting the second arrival of Jesus, in all His power and glory? I pray He finds us living like Simeon, righteous and ready!

“He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20

Month: January 2025

“If yuh fallah people…”

Eagerly Awaiting