Colossians 3:12-13 NLT
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we take on a huge responsibility. But there is great news about this; here’s what Jesus says.
Matthew 11:29-30 NLT
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
And Jesus will also supply us with the strength and courage to complete our calling, but it requires submission on our part to His Word.
The question is for us to consider is:
Am I truly committed to being a true disciple of Jesus Christ?
Luke 14:27-30 NLT
And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
A vital part of discipleship is knowing our identity in Jesus Christ. And there are two parts to this:
1. Studying and meditating on God’s Word daily.
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
I would suggest as often as reasonably possible while maintaining effectiveness for our families and jobs.
Doing this will require a sacrifice of some prime-time shows that we like to watch or, even better, get up an hour earlier while it’s quiet to be with God.
2. Sound Biblical instruction via preaching and small group Bible study.
With the technologies available today, we have a plethora of great preaching available to us 24 hours, seven days a week.
And our local churches, with Pastors who are faithful to sound Biblical teaching of sound doctrine.
Again, listen as often as reasonably possible.
Acts 8:30-31 NLT
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
A disciplined effort in doing this with the moving of God’s Spirit will result in:
“tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
This takes an intentional effort on the part of the Christian.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Heavenly Father, I pray that Your Word affects my thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions.
I pray that Your Spirit gives me the strength and the courage to do Your Will in times of trouble.
I thank You for sending Jesus to die for our sins.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
