Discipleship

Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus told His disciples, and He tells us, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

We are told to make disciples. Just what is a disciple? One dictionary defines it as "a pupil or an adherent of another; follower." A disciple is a learner. We are to teach others what we have learned about the Christian life. Paul told his protege Timothy, II Timothy 2:2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." In other words, as the song title says, we are to "Pass It On." Cru, formerly Campus Crusade, has a motto that says we are to win, build, and send. We are instructed to win people to Christ--that's evangelism--build them up in the faith--that's discipleship--and send them out to win others to Christ--evangelism again. So one objective in making disciples is to teach and inspire them to win others to Christ, to reproduce.

Another objective to discipling others is to help them live the Christian life, to make it well through this old world to the next. I like the book of Genesis because we can see qualities like faith and integrity lived out in real lives, in Abraham and Joseph. We are to make disciples not only by our words but also by our example, showing others what a true disciple of Jesus Christ should be like.

My mother grew up in an era when it wasn't considered socially correct for lay people to talk about their Christian beliefs outside the church. But she loved her grandchildren and was so concerned that they know God that she took a little tract one day and led one of them to Christ. This little child is now an adult, married and with children of her own. She has instigated Bible studies for young mothers in her town, taught children in her church, started a Sunday School class for young couples, and has recently taken on the job of children's minister at her church. This little girl Mother led to Christ and helped disciple as she was growing up has become a discipler herself. That's what discipleship is all about.

Father, so many people have helped to disciple me, and I thank You for each one of them and all they have added to my life. May I pass on the things I have been taught about the Christian life, both by my words and my example. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I visited my friend with things to say,

But she never let me have my way.

I just sat there silent and gawking

While she did every bit of the talking!

Fellowship

Hebrews 10:25a, "Let us not give up meeting together....."

When God saves us, He puts us into a family of fellow believers because he knows that we need each other very much. He doesn't intend for anyone to live a solo Christian life. The Greatest Commandment tells us that we are to have a vertical relationship with our Heavenly Father--to "love God with all your heart, soul, and mind"--but also to have a horizontal relationship with our fellow man--"to love your neighbor as yourself."

Why do we need friends, fellowship with others? For love, acceptance, comfort, encouragement, accountability, rebuke, advice, instruction, challenge, to develop our confidence and enthusiasm, to help us when we're in need.

It has been well said that the best way to have a friend is to be one. Khalil Gibran wrote in his book "The Prophet" that we should seek our friends with time to spend, not with time to kill. How do we become the right kind of friend? How can we enrich Christian fellowship? Scripture gives us some direction.

A friend is loyal and loving. Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Friends help each other weather the storms of life. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up." Friends comfort each other with the comfort they have received from God, according to 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

Friends sharpen each other, encouraging each other, holding each other accountable, rebuking when necessary, instructing, advising, teaching, and learning together. Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Hebrews 10:24, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." 2 Timothy 4:2, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction." 1 Timothy 2:11:12, "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God who calls you into his kingdom and glory."

Jesus is the Friend who sticks closer to us than a brother, the best friend we will ever have, and the model of what a perfect friend is like. He sums up Christian fellowship by saying, John 15:12, "Love each other as I have loved you."

Father, thank You so much for my Christian friends. Help me to be the kind of friend to them that Jesus is to me. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I want to eat a healthy diet, and goodness knows I've tried,

But broiled foods just can't compare to those that are deep fried!

And how about eating oatmeal rather than bacon, eggs, and toast?

It's not hard for me to know which one I like the most.

I don't always eat the foods and way I know I should,

But I have constant conflict--eat what's healthy or what's good!

Worthy of Worship

Revelation 5:12, "In heaven the angels and the living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing this song, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

What is worship? How could we define it? Worship is adoration, reverence, regarding someone with the utmost love and with a deep respect tinged with awe. Worship and praise are different from thanksgiving. We are thankful to God for His gifts to us, but we worship and praise Him, not for His gifts, but for Who He is--for His attributes and characteristics. We worship God because He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, Creator, Redeemer, holy, righteous, truthful, just, full of grace and goodness, loving, forgiving, merciful, kind. We worship Him because, as great and glorious and magnificent as He is, amazingly He loves us.

Worship will be the primary activity in heaven. Revelation 5:13, "Then every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them will sing, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!'" Is our God worthy of our worship? Indeed!!!!!!

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, I worship and praise and adore You. I honor You for Your greatness and Your goodness and Your love. Amen.