“THE PURSUIT: LOST”

The Rock Church in San Diego caught my attention today. I am discovering more and more churches engaged, not only in making disciples but in disciple-making and this is one along with the Perimeter Church in Atlanta.

Their definition of a disciple is someone who has a disciplined pursuit of the heart of the Father – a heart being perfected in love for God and people.

They have a prayer and it goes like this:

Father, give me a heart that:
• Desperately seeks face-to-face intimacy with You.
• Faithfully avoids that which displeases You.
• Humbly embraces a Kingdom Mindset.
• Values making disciples that make disciples.

Jesus, create in me a heart that:
• Values being guided by the Word of God.
• Gratefully grows in generosity.
• Nurtures a burden for lost people.
• Demonstrates a commitment to a Spirit-filled expression of my gifts.

Holy Spirit develop a heart in me that:
• Gracefully gives and receives forgiveness.
• Passionately worships God.
• Is dependent on the power of prayer.
• Serves with Humility.

Father, knit my heart with Yours. Fill my heart with Your passions, motivations and desires.
In Jesus Name, amen.”

So when it came time for me to find some application of my reading in Deuteronomy chapter 19 this morning, the city of refuge was the sermon presented by Pastor Miles.

He related that Jesus is our Saviour and as we have found our refuge in Him – we are saved. Being saved means there are certain implications because being saved means we should have a passion for proclaiming that act to others so that they can be saved too. That is a great evangelism presentation. I was more interested in the discipleship part of the lesson. The church presents an acronym that uses the word H.E.A.R.T. and then asks these questions that apply to the word.

H – Holiness: What has God revealed to you through prayer and Bible reading? What are you doing about it? What sin do you need to confess? What do you need help with?
E – Evangelism: Whose salvation and/or discipleship are you praying for or actively pursuing?
A – Appreciation: How are you showing appreciation to God and others for what He has done?
R – Relationships: How are you growing the Kingdom of God through the use of your spiritual gifts? Who do you need to forgive? Who do you need to ask forgiveness from? How are you using your spiritual gifts?
T – Thoughts: Are there any destructive thought patterns that need to be destroyed? What Scriptures have you been studying or memorizing that are designed to establish Biblical thought patterns?

These are some tough questions that I am sure I would have to fluff off a few times before I would be able to be transparent and honest. I am definitely challenged today to have more of a HEART relationship with God than ever before.