This week I hope you have discovered the importance of becoming a disciple of Jesus.
So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptise them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you.
Matthew 28:19-20
We have learnt the following…
- A disciple is an active, intentional learner;
- A disciple is a practitioner, not just a student of the word but a doer.
- A disciple is a follower of a particular teacher.
- A disciple is someone who is accountable to someone who knows them and helps them learn and grow and live.
- A disciple is an apprentice who has L plates.
Christ made disciples and commanded us to do the same.
The outcome was that for true discipleship to happen we needed, like James Bond, to be: – briefed, trained, resourced and supported.
Resources are available to help us in these areas and two of course are so well known to us, that being prayer and reading our Bibles.
God though speaks in all kinds of ways to help you become a disciple, so do not limit God in how He wishes to speak to you today.
I recommend each day you ask Him to speak in whichever way He chooses to do so. There is a song we used to sing, if you should do things my way, you alone are God and I surrender to your will. It is that surrender bit that can be the issue. Do not put God in a box, seek liberty in allowing God to speak to you.
Let us explore the many ways God wants to speak and keep our eyes and minds open to Him.
- God has a good future for us,
- God has peace for us,
- God has a love for us.
- God has everything we need.
These things are very valuable. A disciple of Jesus is not just to know these things but to actually experience these things.
Have you ever made a decision because you thought you knew what was best for yourself? We all think we know what’s best. We think we know what will make us happy and keep us satisfied.
Solomon thought he could experiment and learn everything that life had to offer. Solomon came to this conclusion.
The whole purpose of man is to fear God and obey his commands.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Did you hear what Solomon said? He said the whole purpose of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. Solomon had everything and yet none of those things satisfied him. He realised at the end of his life that only God can satisfy him.
You have to want what God has for you more than anything and I leave you with this famous quote.
It is no fool who gives up everything he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot
Stay safe and Blessed