"INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP"
What does it mean to you to be Christ’s disciple?
Here is the key.
“For me to live is Christ."
That is the umbrella that covers it ALL.
If for me to live is my job or how people think about me or to have plenty of money or ANYTHING BUT CHRIST then I don’t understand Christ!!! And I need to humble myself and fall on my knees before Him.
Under this umbrella are 5 points that will bring into focus what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
1. Meditate and memorize scripture
Part of hearing the Word of the LOR is UNDERSTANDING that the Word of the Lord is the Spirit talking to our hearts. It’s more than just the book!!! We need both; the Logos of the book AND the Logos of the Spirit. There were NO books around for the first >300 years and the church grew like crazy. On a GOOD day they got to hear the scripture read. Mostly they had only the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
2. Understand our gifting; how does that work of reconciliation work out in our lives?
The written Word IS God’s word. The problem is that we have made this book the altar and it IS NOT. The altar is the Spirit coming to my heart and redeeming me! It is that work of reconciliation! He has reconciled us to Himself AND given us the commission to give that message to others!!!
The realization that I have a calling in my life to share this ministry of reconciliation of lost hearts to HIS heart is vital. How does He want to use my gifts to do that? Every single altar in my life has been built on “I am nothing but a man in need”. The Lord wants a humble and contrite heart!!!
Gathering together as the body will help us begin to understand what our giftings are and how God wishes to use those gifts to work out that ministry of reconciliation in our lives. ASLAN’s SONG “Home Fellowship” is a powerful format in helping you understand who YOU are in the Body of Christ.
3. Your work needs to be your worship
“When WE consider our ‘work’, whatever it may be, to be what GOD calls it to be … only THEN will we understand that it is a Holy calling from the LORD. Our work is a vital part of our worship to the God Who has set us apart as His emissaries: OUR WORK IS WORSHIP!!!”
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
4. Praise throughout your day!
Are we praising throughout our day … Offering up that sacrifice of praise when we just flat out don’t FEEL like it is a sacrifice of PRAISE?
As believers EACH of us has got to be people who walk with hearts FULL of thanksgiving and praise! We’ve GOT to be thankful in ALL things!!! Praying and praising in ALL things. Incorporate the sacrifice of praise … especially if you are not happy with where you are spiritually. Begin to do THIS as a regular part of your life!!!
Hebrews 13:15. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name”
If we aren’t giving out the fruit that calls upon His name we are missing an ESSENTIAL part that is gonna put all this together moment by moment.
5. Listen and be obedient even when it’s uncomfortable.
Be attentive and listen. It’s often easy to say to yourself “oh, that isn’t really God, that’s just me”. Don’t talk yourself out of an act of obedience!!! Acts of obedience … steps of faith … open your eyes and ears of faith to recognize when He is speaking to you.
Part of the training process is listening to the Hummingbird! Realize there IS training involved!!! That is why it is SO important we have discipleship in our life and also a time where we are meeting as the body! In discipleship we are being fed; when we meet as the body everybody shares what God gave to them and everybody enjoys everybody’s spiritual food!
What does it mean to you to be Christ’s disciple?
Here is the key.
“For me to live is Christ."
That is the umbrella that covers it ALL.
If for me to live is my job or how people think about me or to have plenty of money or ANYTHING BUT CHRIST then I don’t understand Christ!!! And I need to humble myself and fall on my knees before Him.
Under this umbrella are 5 points that will bring into focus what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
1. Meditate and memorize scripture
Part of hearing the Word of the LOR is UNDERSTANDING that the Word of the Lord is the Spirit talking to our hearts. It’s more than just the book!!! We need both; the Logos of the book AND the Logos of the Spirit. There were NO books around for the first >300 years and the church grew like crazy. On a GOOD day they got to hear the scripture read. Mostly they had only the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
2. Understand our gifting; how does that work of reconciliation work out in our lives?
The written Word IS God’s word. The problem is that we have made this book the altar and it IS NOT. The altar is the Spirit coming to my heart and redeeming me! It is that work of reconciliation! He has reconciled us to Himself AND given us the commission to give that message to others!!!
The realization that I have a calling in my life to share this ministry of reconciliation of lost hearts to HIS heart is vital. How does He want to use my gifts to do that? Every single altar in my life has been built on “I am nothing but a man in need”. The Lord wants a humble and contrite heart!!!
Gathering together as the body will help us begin to understand what our giftings are and how God wishes to use those gifts to work out that ministry of reconciliation in our lives. ASLAN’s SONG “Home Fellowship” is a powerful format in helping you understand who YOU are in the Body of Christ.
3. Your work needs to be your worship
“When WE consider our ‘work’, whatever it may be, to be what GOD calls it to be … only THEN will we understand that it is a Holy calling from the LORD. Our work is a vital part of our worship to the God Who has set us apart as His emissaries: OUR WORK IS WORSHIP!!!”
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
4. Praise throughout your day!
Are we praising throughout our day … Offering up that sacrifice of praise when we just flat out don’t FEEL like it is a sacrifice of PRAISE?
As believers EACH of us has got to be people who walk with hearts FULL of thanksgiving and praise! We’ve GOT to be thankful in ALL things!!! Praying and praising in ALL things. Incorporate the sacrifice of praise … especially if you are not happy with where you are spiritually. Begin to do THIS as a regular part of your life!!!
Hebrews 13:15. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name”
If we aren’t giving out the fruit that calls upon His name we are missing an ESSENTIAL part that is gonna put all this together moment by moment.
5. Listen and be obedient even when it’s uncomfortable.
Be attentive and listen. It’s often easy to say to yourself “oh, that isn’t really God, that’s just me”. Don’t talk yourself out of an act of obedience!!! Acts of obedience … steps of faith … open your eyes and ears of faith to recognize when He is speaking to you.
Part of the training process is listening to the Hummingbird! Realize there IS training involved!!! That is why it is SO important we have discipleship in our life and also a time where we are meeting as the body! In discipleship we are being fed; when we meet as the body everybody shares what God gave to them and everybody enjoys everybody’s spiritual food!
(Go here to learn about that)
The last thing … which is the first thing … ties into everything.
Philippians 1:21a. “For to me, to live is Christ“
What is our purpose in living?? Fruitful labor for the kingdom!!! Otherwise we are like children building a sandcastle at low tide. How silly and shortsighted.
Where are we building?
We are building on eternal ground (2 Cor 4:18).
What are we building with?
We are using the tools that He has given us to encourage and to build each other up.
(1 Cor 12:7)
We are building with eternal materials of silver, gold and precious stones
(1Cor 3:12-15)
Matthew 6:35 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.”
That brings everything into perspective!!!
The very heart of being a disciple IS THIS…
“For me to live is CHRIST…”
Philippians 1:21a. “For to me, to live is Christ“
What is our purpose in living?? Fruitful labor for the kingdom!!! Otherwise we are like children building a sandcastle at low tide. How silly and shortsighted.
Where are we building?
We are building on eternal ground (2 Cor 4:18).
What are we building with?
We are using the tools that He has given us to encourage and to build each other up.
(1 Cor 12:7)
We are building with eternal materials of silver, gold and precious stones
(1Cor 3:12-15)
Matthew 6:35 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.”
That brings everything into perspective!!!
The very heart of being a disciple IS THIS…
“For me to live is CHRIST…”
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