“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
A Christian disciple is much more than one who is saved, sins forgiven, and the glad recipient of eternal life. A disciple is one who has counted the cost. A disciple is a born again person who has made the difficult commitment to follow the Lord Jesus and be a student learner no matter the consequences.
Only about 2% of Christians are regularly mentoring others one on one, two on two, or in a small group as an outpouring function of their church.
Choosing to become one of the Lord’s disciples or intimate followers is perhaps the most painful thing a person can do. It certainly was for me! For many years, as a Christian, I wanted the benefits of being saved like having fellowship, knowing that God loves me and forgives me, and experiencing the fact that I’m going to Heaven for sure someday. Who wouldn’t want these?
The problem with me was I wanted the things of this world as well. I wanted people’s approval. I wanted the perks of this world. I wanted respect. I craved it. When these worldly pursuits left me hollow and empty inside, I would periodically try to fill that void with sin…impure and simple.
Yes, once I repented and stopped being a disciple of worldly pursuits, and became a broken, growing follower of Jesus. I stopped caring what others thought. I was filled with a new sense of joy and purpose. I was free!
But the broken, miserable years leading up to that decision (12 years into my Christian faith) were some of the most painful and gut-wrenching I’ve ever experienced. The process of dying to myself, my dreams, my wants, and my desires was, at first, sickening to me. Could becoming a Christ-disciple / follower actually be satisfying and a worthy pursuit? The big answer is YES!
Most of the time, you will need to experience the painful tearing off of old, pride-originating and pride-producing sinful pursuits: Self-Promotion, Self-Protection and Materialism. This is tougher than you think! Then you are free to embrace Jesus, and enter His School of Discipleship…His Way, not yours.¹
Let’s pray this for each other.
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” (Luke 9:23 ESV)
¹Some ideas taken from Design for Discipleship – Navigators (This applies to this and the next 6 devotionals)
August 5th, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Am happy to see and enjoy the reading of website the ministry was near to reach 40 years and good promise is there, that is the what I want to do and the right person I want to be connected with them, because better to have prayer partner and to share everything together, what I seen is fine and more powerful, to build the body of Our lord Jesus Christ is good point, I enrolled some groups to teach them and needed materials for teaching,
Our Country still behind because of crisis so my brother in our lord Jesus Christ we have to build good friendship in lord, thank you for commitment.
August 12th, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Hi Am happy to have this website and connected with you man of God may the power of God reveals on earth to Change the situation I trust in God we going to do more thinks in Africa through this program and needed more prayers to our open all the doors to us, our God is alive and in everywhere,
Brother Jim Gruseth you have to trust me really person has you brother in our lord Jesus Christ, then we can hold our hands to do whatever God want us to do, because we start this friendship now you still know me well, and I know time will come we can meet face to face I trust and believe, in my thought when lockdown was over and peace come to our Country I will ask you to come visit us in Africa to see what is going on.
January 4th, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Hi brother!??
God bless you!
What is your chief prayer need?
We are missionaries with Cru. We have written many Christ-Centered materials. We want to give them to you for God’s glory. Totally free.
We keep the Copyrights but you can translate, print, publish, sell (funds for your ministry), etc. to get the Gospel out and see souls saved, marriages strengthened, families united and churches filling Heaven. Just send me your email address to [email protected]
May Jesus bless you dearly!
https://marriageanchors.com
P. S. : You can also download any or all articles, books and materials at no cost at the above website. We want to serve, see souls saved, and Heaven Increased. We want to give our lives away for His glory. So far, we have 1271 churches and missions in 79 countries who’ve received them. All free. Always. ??
What is your email address?
Be encouraged by this I (Jim) recently did for my 1974 Class at West Point. U. S. Military Academy.
https://vimeo.com/474816061
Oh… and keep healthy!??
Blessings,
Jim & Barbara Grunseth
January 4th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Amen. Happy New Year!
How are you?
Have you been able to use/translate any of our free materials we emailed you? http://www.marriageanchors.com