Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.
"As a new Christian, an individual doesn't take a "second step" toward becoming a disciple. Instead he embarks on a seamless journey of growth that passes through spiritual childhood, adolescence, and adulthood to maturity. Of course, all disciples experience good seasons and bad ones. All enjoy victories and suffer defeats. All experience stagnant times, and even times when they seem to travel in the wrong direction. But a disciple's heart consistently yearns for and desires to please God."
"Discipleship flourish when we present the gospel as a seamless journey of transformation that begins with new life given by God and moves right along with the joy of following Christ everyday...... But because we've preached a different gospel, a vast throng of people think they are Christian/saved/born again when they really aren't! We've made the test for salvation doctrinal rather than behavioral, ritualizing it with walking the aisle, praying to receive Christ, or signing a doctrinal statement. Perhaps we've made it so easy to get into "the life" that we've made it nearly impossible for people to live the life. The life that Jesus calls us to - a life of following Him - a life of humility, sacrifice, submission, and obedience."
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they feara]">[a]; do not be frightened."b]">[b]15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1Peter 3:13-16
Something really caught my eye in the above verses, ".... But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."The "do this" is to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we (Christians) have, in short witness Christ or sharing the gospel of Christ.
Most of us knows that we need to do this but just how many understand that we need to do it with gentleness and respect. Are there times, where we spend more time explaining to seekers why some Christians say disrespectful words than explaining to them the words of Christ?
There's a saying that action speaks louder then our words. Are our actions that of what we preach or our faith as a Christian? The last part of the verse that i quote is that, "..., so that those who speaks maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." The important words is "your good behavior". Are we putting our action in our words?
This verse reminds me the behavior and attitude I should have as a Christian, a disciple of Christ, hope it does to you too.
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.Romans 13:1-7
Vs1 -2 For us to submit to the authorities. Vs3 - 5 For the authorities on how they should treat others.
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law. I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them. Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law. Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. Psalm 119:49-56
There's two verses in this passage that really encourages me.
Vs 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. In our suffering our comfort from God is His promise to us that he'll love and bless us. Vs 51 The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law. As Servant of God me would come to a point where we would be mock and unfairly treated by others, at that point what should we do? The author said that even at that situation he do not turn away from God's law...
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:28-29 (New International Version) Heard this sharing from someone today, and it set me thinking and was (can I say) greatly motivated by it. The few pointers that I pick up during the sharing was;
1) We were called to proclaim Jesus, not ourselves not anything but Him. 2) Paul told us that he labor and struggle for this not with his own strength, but energy that came from God.
It reminds me what I am really called to do and that behind all this is God and He will gives me energy.
My Child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up.Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your way. Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived.Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made.Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am you Father. 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11 For I am the prefect father. Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desire of your heart.Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is...Will you be my child? John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Infinite wisdom has arranged the whole with infinite love; and infinite power enables me to rest upon that love. I am in a dear Father's hands all is secure. When I look to Him, I see nothing but faithfulness and immutability and truth; and I have the sweetest peace I cannot have more peace. By Charles Simeon
My boss send me an e-mail on a devotion that her CG Leader is doing and I think it's good. Wanna share it with you guys.
“whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; whenever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped” (Num 9:17).
Observation 1: This is No Ordinary Cloud
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Following their exodus from Egypt and during their years of wandering in wilderness, the Israelites know that the cloud hovering over the tabernacle was the visible symbol of the LORD’s presence. Paul W. Kuske, a bible scholar, wrote, “continuously, at any time of day or night, an Israelite was able to look toward the tabernacle and remind himself that even in the most hostile environment of the desert, the Lord was the leader and protector of the people he had chosen as his own”.
Application 1: The Lord’s presence represents the anointing & blessings of God in our lives… The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Num 6:24-26)… But a condition for this continued blessing is that we remain clean & purified. Let the story of Samson be a warning for us to heed – “he did not know that the LORD had left him (Judges 16:20b).” Of course in today’s context, we know that God will never abandon us completely, but we can still be left alone… so, let’s not take his presence and anointing for granted.
Observation 2: The Israelites travelled and camped as God guided.
God directed the movement of his people by means of the cloud.
¨When the cloud remained over the tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD’s order and did not set out (v.19).
¨Sometimes, the cloud was over the tabernacle for a few days; at the LORD’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out (v.20).
¨Sometimes, the cloud stayed only from evening to morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out (v.21).
Application 2: When the cloud remained stationary for a long time, we can either (a) become so comfortable and accustomed with the surrounding; or (b) become so restless and impatient to move on. Both is not good – those in the first group will find it difficult to move (relocate) when the cloud starts to set out (when the will of God tells you to do something out of your comfort zone), whilst those in the second group misses what God want to do through you in your current situation. Instead of praying, “God, what do you want me to do next?’ it may be better to pray “God, what do you want me to do while I’m right here?” God has a purpose in placing where you are right now.
Application 3: When the cloud remained for a few days, we can be misled to think that we have made a mistake, a wrong choice… God never intended us to stay here… Perhaps, this may sound familiar to some? In obedience, you followed God’s direction to move in a certain direction, but after a short while, you are asked to go another direction. From human perspective, people would have thought that you are fickle-minded or you have a mistake in the first instance. This may not be so… God may direct us one step at a time.
Application 4: When the cloud remained only for the night, we can complain of being stretched. Why can’t we have more time to rest, more time to relax with our family, more time to enjoy the scenery, more time to stop and smell the flower? In such time, even though our feet is sore from the day’s walking and our back aching from carrying our possessions, remember: (a) to thank God that he gave us the night to rest, and (b) to trust God – He knows where He is leading us & His plan is to prosper us, not harm us.
Application 5: For Peace Mission
In conclusion, we are to watch the cloud at all time. When He sets out, we set out. When He remain, we stay.
My own application:
To always be sensitive to the cloud (God’s Presences) in my life, when He remain, I stay, when he move, I move. Quite hard but need to be sensitive to the Him and be alert to the opportunity and opening that he places in front of me.
