A
disciple must first give up everything.
The
secret of following Christ the Messiah is ignored by many. For the
servant of God, there is only one agenda.
The thing a disciple must
do is give up every thing.
(NKJV
all scriptures, Lu 14:33) "So likewise, whoever of you does not
forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
2)
Repent. There are those who think achieving Heaven is a piece of
cake. At the end of life, they surmise, God will simply forgive them.
But there is no salvation without heartfelt repentance. I have seen
it. Most people die the way they have lived. People choose their
destiny, heaven or hell, by the way they live. Every day the choice
is made.
(Lu
13:3) "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all
likewise perish.”
3)
Humble. God desires servants contrite of sin and humble in spirit.
Humble is not weakness but a strength which seeks the benefit of
others. “No greater love has anyone, than to lay down his life for
another.”
(Isa
57:15) For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity,
whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With
him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the
humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
4)
Forgive. Men little realize the Hebrew in the Lord's Prayer requires
the forgiveness of every-little-offense, no matter how small, to
merit God's forgiveness. The All Holy God will not stand in the
presence of sin. Total redemption is achieved only by the cross of
Jesus.
(Mt
6:14) "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you. 15 "But if you do not forgive men
their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
5)
Love. Don't make Love your pretense.
Be the
most loving person your friends know.
Every
true hug brings healing in the heart.
Every
good deed pays forward.
God
created you to love Him and others.
All
his Words teach his Love.
God
does not give Love, He is Love.
It's
his very Being.
Jesus
first loves you, so you'll know Love.
(Lu
10:27) So he answered and said," 'You shall love the LORD your
God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength,
and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"
6)
Faith is the key to involving God. You cannot please God without
Faith.
(Mt
17:20) So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for
assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you
will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there!' and it will
move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
7)
Holy. We achieve holiness only through redemption of Jesus on that
cross. I am bought, paid for, ransomed, and redeemed only through the
Blood of Jesus. He alone is the sinless sacrifice for all repented
sin. Put on Christ. He alone is perfectly sinless.
(Heb
12:14) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no
one will see the Lord.
8)
Each day, put on Jesus like a garment.
Walk as Jesus walked. Love as
Jesus loves.
(1Jo
1:7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanses us from all sin.
9)
Live for God. Where is God's true servant? Take up God's daily cross,
tasks, and assignments, even to the point of death.
(Lu
9:23) Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after
Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
24
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for My sake will save it.
25
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and
is himself destroyed or lost?”
10)
Trust God. No matter what, even when you don't understand.
Trust in
God with all your heart, and you will see his miracles and care for
you. I have prayed, “Lord, whether I live or whether I die, my life
is in your hands.”
(Pr
3:5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own
understanding;
6
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
11)
Overwhelming Joy. There is power and strength and Faith in the Joy of
the Lord. Joy is a prime attribute of God's power and marks his
divine presence.
(Neh
8:10) “For this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy
of the LORD is your strength."
12)
Resist the devil. Block him. In spiritual circumstance, be ready to
fight the devil's schemes.
(1Pe
5:6,NKJV all scriptures.) Therefore humble yourselves under the
mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings
are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
- Blessings, Bill
