Daily Discipler - A call to live a righteous life.

Daily Discipler pp 416-417

A call to live a righteous life

2 Peter 3 (whole chapter)

Listen online at

http://www.bible.is/ENGESV/2Pet/3#1

What a passage - 2 Peter 3 is drawing our attention to how we should live "IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY". The emphasis of the entire passage is continually on "Jesus is coming back". The thing that hit me hard was that this "Eternal" thinking is almost not present in the walk and talk of many believers today. We use slogans like "Live your best life now". (thats just one I have heard around the traps) But Peter says this world and its works are destined for "FIRE" and that we look forward to the new heavens and earth for the righteous. In view of this, Peter challenges us with the phrase "what manner of persons ought you to be", and he answers - living in holiness and godliness, living for eternity by spreading the gospel. He says we should be found at peace, without spot and blameless.

Peter also points out that in the last days there will be scoffers of faith - those who say "Where is the promise of his return ? where is your God ?, and they answer with "There is no god". We are to stand strong in the face of such opposition and "Do the work of the evangelist". Not every person is "Gifted" with the gift of evangelism, however every one of us has a role to play in doing the work of an evangelist. Jesus is coming back. He is being patient, so that many more may come to repentance, but the day of the Lord is certain.

How then ought we live ?

Thought for the day - knowing that the Lord is returning, what tasks should we be doing ?

- my personal response is that I feel I need to be out knocking on doors, letting people know that Jesus is coming back, and he is calling for repentance. Pretty challenging task, and uncomfortable, but nothing compared to the fire that will fall on them that have not experienced salvation.

Look up, for the Kingdom is at hand.

PJ

Daily Discipler - Wonderful Counsellor

Daily Discipler pp 414-415

Wonderful Counsellor

Isaiah 61:1-3

(www.biblegateway.com)

Todays reading emphasises the "Discipling Nature" of Jesus first coming. Jesus did not come to provide a salvation "Moment", he came to give a "Life", an exchanged life. When Jesus stood up in the synagogue and began his ministry he said what he came to do "Change lives" - Preach good tidings to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Each of these lives once ministered to experience "Freedom".

However - each of these "Changed Lives" were the product of a moment with ongoing effects. This is where the word "Discipleship" comes in. Jesus did not just say "Be healed", he imparted his spirit and his life into his hearers. He drew a group of young men around him, and imparted not just a moment experience, but a life investment in them. This was his process for passing on his ministry. Discipleship.

Today, many church attenders (i am choosing these words carefully) are settling for less. Less time in Gods word, less time with the other believers, less personal devotion to the lord, less relational discipleship. If we keep settling for less, there won't be much left.

The apostle Paul said "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ' Colossians 1:28

Have you settled for Less ? Jesus came not just to give eternal life, but to give abundant life, a life full of his spirit. Discipleship (being made into a devoted follower of Christ) is not an optional extra that we can choose at some point, to add to our faith, in the same way we add another service to our tv subscription, it is the entire purpose of Christ's Ministry on earth, and the ongoing purpose of believers.

Here is the question - are you being "Made" a disciple by someone ? or are you "Making" a disciple. There is much more to being a christian than church attendance, are you settling for less ?

PJ

Gods sovereignty and our responsibility

Daily Discipler PP 402

Ref 2 Thessalonians 3

Today's reading from 2 Thess 3 challenges us to live in Gods grace through playing our part in his great story. It includes praying for and participating in the spread of the gospel with swiftness (moving ahead) and living a life of doing good as a response to the Gospel we have received.

There are those who expect that once we have responded to the claims of Christ, we can rest and wait. We are to live in peace (v16) however, that peace is not "Idle" (v10) Grace is given us that we may reflect God's love and patience to the world (v5)

God does not Resist Satan for us, but gives us strength to resist him (v3)

God does not spread the gospel for us, but gives us strength to continue the work (1-2)

God does not "Make" us obey his commands, but gives us strength to obey (v4)

God does not Make us do good, but gives endurance to persist, when we don't feel like it (v13)

Entering God's rest is a state of spirit and Mind, which enables and does not hinder us playing our part in his Great Story.

We must not use his Grace as an occasion for the flesh (and self living)

" If you want to be great in God's Kingdom, learn to be the servant of all" Jesus Christ !

"Renouncing" - an often missed practise.

Daily Discipler pp400

Ref: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

(www.biblegateway.com)

Today's reading reflects both 2 Cor 4 and also the early practises of the church. Renouncing.

Renouncing is not something you think, it is something you do. Out Loud. To God, and whomever else happens to be listening (it could be declaring your intentions to Satan, Demons, or the general public)

Prov 28:13 says "He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy"

The early church would turn to the west (satans country) and say "I renounce you, Satan, and all your works and all your ways", and then they would turn east and say "I follow you Christ and believe in you for salvation and everlasting life" (or words to that effect)

We have lost the point of "Public Confession", and made it all very private, as a result, no one really knows where we stand, often, we may not be entirely certain where we stand either.

And here is why - We may have tried to Tack on Christ, to our everyday lives, and as a result, are trying to live in both worlds.

It is not enough to say we believe something to be true, and at the same time continue to believe the lie.

There was a saying when I was growing up, If Christ is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. I believe in the ongoing sanctifying work of the spirit, but it begins with a heart that has "Repented" and "Wants to change".

Have you ever tried arguing with someone who is sold on their opinion, and isn't open to any other ideas ? the argument doesn't go very far. In fact, even if you win, by overwhelming them with your argument, you will come back a day later and they still hold the same opinion. Why ? because, they don't want to change. Repentance is the change of Mind and Heart, that turns towards Christ. Renouncing, is declaring this genuine heart change to God, Satan, Demons, and anyone else who cares to listen, it is a line in the sand that says "This is where I stand".

Thought for the Day: What happens if we trust in Christ but don't repent ?

Trusting in Christ without repentance is not truly trusting in Christ. Putting our whole life in His hands is "trusting in Christ", anything less is hedging your bets. We cannot pick and choose which parts of Gods redemptive plan to believe or agree with. It is all of Christ, and nought of me. Repentance is the door of "Coming to Christ" - God Grants us Repentance. So if we haven't repented, God hasn't granted it, and whatever else we think we are doing, we are living the Christian life, without Christ.

Acts 17:29-30

"God commands all people everywhere to repent"

Stand firm in "HIS GRACE" in which you stand. All of Christ - Nought of Me !

Establishing Freedom in Christ

Daily Discipler pp 398

Ref: James 4:1-12

(www.biblegateway.com)

Establishing our Freedom in Christ.

Today's daily discipler reading is so important to the individual believers life (including mine) that I am posting it in a few places to maximise the impact of the message.

James 4:1-12 States the Problem - Pride and worldliness, and counters with the solution, Humility and dependence on God. The Key verse is James 4:6-7

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says...

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble

THEREFORE - submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts you double minded....."

Dr Anderson points out that there are 7 steps to freedom, that if we follow them through, help us to be completely humble and cleansed, and dependant on God for HIS GRACE.

These Steps to Freedom are powerfully useful for personal cleansing and right relationship with God. I have prayed through them myself this morning, and had a whole list of "business" to do with God, over my constant sinful failure. Repentance is the starting place. The early church had a practise of Prayer and Renouncing - out loud, declaring to God, and to his enemies, their position was in Christ. Perhaps you would like to pray through these steps also. They are:

1. Occult - Lev 20:6 God will cut off his people when they consult mediums and spiritists. Whilst we don't necessarily go down to the local "medium" and request a consultation with the dead, many (myself included) have given tacit consent to the Occult through viewing or allowing spiritual aspects to enter our entertainment through the T.V. I have to confess that I have seen some shows that glorify or give ground to Satan, spirits and demons on television and in movies that I may excuse away as entertainment. Entertainment is something I am actively participating in, and therefore, giving my approval of. God has challenged me again to "Turn It Off"

2. Flesh - James points out that Worldliness and the Flesh pull us away from God, whether it be Materialism, Food, Lust or other fleshly desires, The finished work of Christ is our defence. Confess anywhere that the Flesh has drawn you away from God, and put self ahead of Christ.

3. Forgive - 2 Cor 2:10-11 reminds us that an unwillingness to forgive will bind us and stop our progress with God. We are to forgive, as God in Christ has Forgiven us.

4. Humility - James:4-6 reminds us that pride is the barrier that God resists. Pride is our confidence in Self, rather than in Him.

5. Authority - God has placed all kinds of authority over us, Home, work, government, church, and we often respond with the phrase "Who do they think they are ? " well, we are to be submissive to governing authorities, they are appointed by God.

6. Confess - All known sin - unconfessed sin keeps us from direct intimate relationship with Jesus.

7. Sins and Iniquities of our Ancestors - This is a tough one. Even when we were unknowingly included in the sin, through past family generations, it can have an impact on us. We are to confess and renounce that which may have been passed on from generations past.

If you are eagerly desiring freedom from bondage to sin, there is a more extensive outline of this process in Neil Anderson's "Steps to Freedom In Christ' outlining a Biblical journey of repentance and confession.

May you and I live in Humility and Dependance on Jesus.

Pastor J

A devotional from A.W. Tozer - worth thinking about !

Preaching: Old-fashioned Horse Sense

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And
he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and
manifest Myself to him.
--John 14:21

When they want to get blessed, some people try getting worked up
psychologically....

Some people try group dynamics....

What is needed is some old-fashioned, salty horse sense. I am sure
there are 189 mules in the state of Missouri that have more sense
than a lot of the preachers who are trying to teach people how to
get the blessing of God in some way other than by the constituted
means. When you get people all broken up, dabbing at their eyes and
shaking, what is the result? It does not bring them any closer to
God. It does not make them love God any better, in accordance with
the first commandment. Nor does it give any greater love for
neighbors, which is the second commandment. It does not prepare
them to live fruitfully on earth. It does not prepare them to die
victoriously, and it does not guarantee that they will be with the
Lord at last.

The Lord has constituted means. Jesus said in the Gospel of John,
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves
me" (John 14:21a). Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the
Church, 51-52.

"Father, keep me from the false ways of attempting to secure Your
blessing. Help me to boldly declare the importance of old-
fashioned obedience to Your commands. Amen."

Shared Leadership - Numbers 11

Daily Discipler: PP 394

Reference: Numbers 11 (www.biblegateway.com)

This reading traced the journey of Moses through a "Crisis" with the people. The problem, they wanted "Meat" all 600 000 + of them (thats just the able bodied men), and Moses felt inadequate to the task. More than this, he didn't have the ability to quell their fleshly desires and in the end, threw his hands up in the air and said "Kill Me Now - it would be easier than trying to deal with this mob"

God didn't just leave Moses out on a Limb - he gave a very practical solution - share the load.

He asked Moses to appoint 70 elders and officials who were already known to be so, from amongst the community, and God allowed the spirit that was on Moses to pass on to these other leaders.

The really interesting thing for me, was that there were 2 guys who were supposed to show up, they had been called to the meeting at the tabernacle, but they weren't there, they were still in the camp - God still allowed his spirit to fall on them, and they also prophesied. They ministered in the power of the spirit, even though they didn't attend the "leadership team". Interesting. God wasn't setting up a hierarchical power structure - he was setting up some helpers for Moses ministry to the people of Israel. So whether they attended the meeting to be inducted or not, was not the issue. God had chosen them, and empowered them, regardless of the structure of the organisation.

The MOST INTERESTING thing was when they started going on outside the structure that was set up. They were prophesying, and continuing to do so "In the Camp" and Joshua says "forbid them".

Moses reflected a principle that we really need to get in the church today. He said. I wish all the people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His spirit on them.

Moses was agreeing that this role of ministry and leadership was not his alone, but ought to be borne by "Every Believer". This principle is exhibited in the modern church through the "Priesthood of all believers". That is - together, we both discern and minister the will of God.

The role of Ministry is not for the professionals, but for all those who know and serve the Lord. We are to bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

The challenge for me is to ensure that whilst I/we may set up good structures to enhance the opportunities to minister in God's name, I/we must also realise that these structures are "Man Made" and are not supposed to limit the opportunities to serve. In fact - there are more opportunities to serve God outside the structures the church can manage, than there are inside the church.

Every believer is called to serve - in their church ? in their home ? in their work ? in their social sphere ? where else ?

Something to think about.

Pastor J