Category: Discipleship

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10.4.24. Do not fall for Satan’s Tricks!

2 Cor 4 Discouraged? NO! 

A magician has his bag of tricks, Satan his bag of the deadly d’s. One his tools in his bag is seeking to undermine the work of Christ by discouragement.  Maybe your discouragement has come because of fear or of lack of progress in your spiritual walk. Whatever it is,know the true source of discouragement is from the enemy. Perhaps it might be good to stop and just read those few words Paul penned where he noted the reason he was not discouraged was because God had shown him mercy beyond all that he could think of. He had been a persecutor of the early church and as he thought back he could recall the scenes of going house to house, dragging believers to the places of punishment. But, God in His way, and in His time, chose to reveal Himself to Paul on the Damascus road and turn him 180 degrees around to become not a persecutor but a proclaimer. 

Now Paul stops to reflect on his work of presenting the gospel. Just as he was gifted with mercy that was undeserved, so he saw the unsaved in need of such a gift. He was well aware of the work of the enemy, Satan. “among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2 Cor 4:4] Thus he knew that they, like he, may be discouraged but needed to hear the truth and return that tool back to Satan’s bag of tricks. 

Precious reader, do not become discouraged. Reflect on the gift of mercy you have received and go forth to present the gospel message. 

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10.2.24. Discipleship

2 Cor 3 Letters from Heaven

To each who has presented Christ by which a person accepts Christ, they are a letter of commendation of their faithfulness. Think of this way, think back to the person that led you to Christ…you are a letter written on their heart..and you are read and known by everyone who meets you..because you are a letter of Christ, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God…you are not on a tablet of stone but on the tablet of the heart.

That is pretty awesome.Here’s an example from my life. I am a letter written on the heart of Ma Bennett with whom I lived for a season. Or Mr. Papke, my faithful Sr. High SS teacher. Or there was Mrs Laycock, ,my pastor’s wife who took it upon herself to teach me the first elements of discipleship as she taught me to sew my first project of an apron. Those were instrumental in my salvation step by step. How I praise the Father for each one. 

Who can you say for your life? 

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9.19.24 NetBible reading

God loved

1 Cor 9 Keep or Give Away

Eric Liddell was a runner and a participant in the Olympics. He had one rule, never to run on Sunday and because of that he forfeited a medal. Yet, his courage and steady testimony won him both praise and ridicule. Some time after the Olympics, at which he did receive medals, he chose to leave England and serve as a missionary in China. He not only forfeited medals but the comforts of a life in the English countryside and the perks that go with winners. Instead, he gave all that he might save some. That is what Paul chose to do as well. He had a privileged life as a Pharisee but when he met Christ on that road to Damascus, his life was forever changed. God sent Ananias to tell him that he would not only forgo the privileges of a Pharisee but he must suffer. Paul, like Eric Liddell, chose hardship rather than riches and fame. 

Like Eric Liddell, Paul said “I do all these things because of the gospel, so that I can be a participant in it.” Both did suffer and died, not with earthly riches and glory but with knowing that their lives were destined to win many to Christ and their reward was laid up in heaven. 

What do I give up to win the lost? Do I cling to earthly riches or like these two men, give up what I could keep so many may hear of the truth of the gospel? 

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Are you a Phoebe?

Romans 16 Honoring Servants

In today’s world we honor those who serve with gifts and accolades. In the time of Paul, those who served well are also honored not with gifts but with help as needed. What a wise consideration. Phoebe must have been a willing servant and Paul closes his letter to the Romans with that thought. It appears that she has been chosen to carry this letter to them and Paul encourages that church to provide for her needs while she is there. Imagine being asked to carry this document from Cenchrea (a suburb of Corinth) across the sea to Rome. You are going by yourself with such precious cargo. How do you prepare? According to google, it was “ 617 miles.”’ [ as the crow flies]. 🙂

‘“There was not a letter courier service that Paul could use to deliver this letter to the church in Rome. Instead, he would need to use a person. Taking this letter probably encompassed many months of time. Traveling was difficult. Often traveling occurred at nights so that the stars could be followed. I don’t think I can accurately realize the difficulty it was just to take this letter to Rome. What an incredible feat it was just to get this letter to Rome.” [anonymous blogger]

Also Paul asks the Romans for three things for Phoebe: Welcome her in a manner worthy of fellow saints in Rome, Help her in whatever she may need because She has been a patron of many and of Paul.

Would Paul have considered you a “Phoebe” for the work of the Lord?

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Be Impartial

Open the eyes of my heart Lord

James 2 See with Jesus Eyes 

When I grew up, I was faced with prejudice and all its faults. I was forbidden to have interactions with those of another race and another ethnic background. I found it hard to understand but found that little by little those factors crept into my thinking. So, when God saw that He sent me three people to change that perspective, and I praise God for that. No longer do I see with my human eyes the differences but now pray for God to show me His love for each one regardless of their background or ethnicity. James seems to have faced this head on in the church in Jerusalem where there were both the poor who had come to Christ and the wealthy who had come to Christ. Yet, both carried the baggage of their former life into the church and so it is with us; sadly. 

James reminds the reader to look at this situation through the eyes of God. He accepted Rahab who had no lineage to the Israelites, yet it was to her that He revealed Himself and she called him “El Roi,” the God who sees me. He also accepted Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation. To both He is saying; “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” [James 2:9] Beloved, this should not be! Christ died for all and all should be accepted equally.  

The question before us is this: are we looking with our heart or with our mind? Are we evaluating each through the heart of God? Do we select to whom we will offer the cup of cold water? Jesus ministered to all no matter their social background or lineage. How about us?  

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Be Shrewd

the spirit of wisdom

Proverbs 14 Are you shrewd? 

Today we meet all kinds of people in our communities, our families, our churches and in our nation. Some are wise and some are foolish. Those who are wise are shrewd or sensible, prudent. The dictionary gives us more insight to this word; it has the meaning of showing a clever awareness or resourcefulness; especially in practical matters. It stresses practical hardhead cleverness or judgment.  

The Proverbs author notes that the shrewd person is discerning. (vs 15) and in Vs 18 they who are shrewd will be crowned with knowledge. Jesus prayed for the disciples as he prepared to send them out; be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. [Matt 10:16] He knew that they would experience opposition and in fact, John recorded His words: you will be hated, and many will seek to end your life thinking they are doing God’s will. [John 16:2] 

So, as we get closer to the time of Jesus’ return, we find that these same behaviors of the unbelieving are being revealed. Therefore, we must be shrewd and not believe all that is said, but we are to be wise, strong and courageous in a world that has gone astray.  

Today as you live and move in this world, seek His wisdom, seek His protection, seek His path for He will direct your steps.  

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Discipleship

Words have consequences

Colossians 1 The author Paul had never set foot in Colosse, yet Epaphros or Epaphroditus was from there.We glean from other letters that he had gone to Rome seeking out Paul and from there several things had transpired, one of which was a lasting friendship. Upon hearing of the Colossian church, and the problems there, Paul’s heart was torn. Like many of us, when we hear of tests and trials of others, we can say we are sorry but go on our way or we can get involved. Paul did the latter. We know from the letter to  Philemon that Paul was instrumental in the salvation of the slave, Onesimus and his return to his owner. We also learn that his owner used his home as a house church in Colosse. As so happens with us in our world, we too find ourselves immersed in the life of those we have not had the opportunity to engage face to face, yet our lives are forever changed because of this new introduction.

Paul immersed himself in these people so much so that he called them saints and faithful brethren. How do we speak of those with whom we have never met, but have in some way corresponded? In Paul’s case it began a love triangle between Paul, Epaphros and Philemon. Paul shares his heart with them and some wise counsel about their spiritual walk.  Wisdom from others can gently and boldly disciple even from afar. 

Who has God put in your path to disciple? 

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JOY!

Phil 1 The Judaizers in Philippi sought to undermine and close Paul’s ministry down, but God had more plans for this fledging ministry. If it wasn’t for Lydia washing the purple cloths at the riverside, and the jailer who asked Paul how to be saved, the church would not even begun! How often do the words of Joseph come ringing back: what you meant for evil, God meant for good. 

Thanks be to God for His provision of Paul’s message which pricked their hearts and a “baby” church was begun. But, it wasn’t long after that, that the jealous Jews began a campaign to shut Paul and his band of faithful disciples down. They had to leave Philippi, but the seed began to bear fruit and Paul is beyond joy as he hears about their ministry. Thus, he wrote them an encouraging letter and we have it so we can also rejoice in this church and their testimony to those who do not know Christ. It sets our hearts yearning to one day meet these two faithful believers who “hung in there” even with the hate filled jealousy of the Jews. 

Hate is a four letter word as is the word love. The Jews hated Paul but Paul and his ‘band of merry men’ loved on the Philippians and that is a model for us. 

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A Teacher’s Goal

Colossians 1 “We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.” [Col 1:9] Each week several of us meet to discuss the book we are studying. This should be our goal, and it falls upon me more than they. Jesus said if any of you would cause one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better to have a millstone hung around his neck and thrown into the sea. That has been before me all the years I have taught as a warning sign. My goal has been and will be as long as I teach; to present everyone who sits under me mature. As i look at the roster of those who have gone before me, I see them standing before Christ mature and whole. 

What is your goal as you speak and live before others? 

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Fruitful or Fruitless?

2 Peter 1 How is your life going today my friend? Are you experiencing fruit both in your own life and in the life of others? If you feel you are lagging, take heart and listen to Simon Peter who was witness of our Lord’s transfiguration on the mountain. It helps to listen to the wise and aged for their wisdom and so Peter tells his readers that they need to check if they are filled with the Fruit of the Spirit and are demonstrating those points to the lost. Just as Paul gave us his list of the Fruit of the Spirit, so Peter gives us his list that we may test our life. Peter reminds us that we need to have this checklist before us so we can measure how we are doing so he begins: add to your faith and then lists the practical points. 

Peter begins with the foundation: faith. Without faith we are lost and cannot produce fruit that will last the test of time. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Without faith,  you have no kernel of wheat to plant that it may germinate and grow. So what is this kernel of FAITH? It is being able to say Forgetting All I Trust Him who died and rose again so I may have life eternal. But, it doesn’t stop there, Peter reminds us to add to our faith several qualities that will be our fruit. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love.” [2 Pet 1:6-8]

Where are you today friend? What are you lacking in the fruit department? 

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