Tag Archives: respect

To be an intimate disciple

 

116 Clique – Tedashii – Carry Mine

 

Esther challenges me to prepare myself to be the intimate disciple that God has asked me to be in order that I may carry out His plan and His will.

She has become an example of how to live the obedient life. She did the right thing, made the right decisions, and said the right words.   She moved in faith.

It almost feels that we were able to watch Esther grow up spiritually. I would say that when introduced to her she had a weaker character and by the end of her story she definitely had a heroic moral stature.

I would like to believe that she modelled a disciple’s life by listening to her mentor.

Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her. – Esther 2:10-11  ESV

I get two things out of this – Esther, I am sure, had no way of knowing why her mentor left her these instructions, but she followed them anyway and did not question the intent. The other is the amount of time and energy her mentor put into her life. He was available to her every day. He invested into her life.

Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordeci just as when she was brought up by him. – Esther 2:20  ESV

They ended up working together as a great team accomplishing God’s plan for their day and time. Each had to do their part.

Another model is the disciple Thomas – who does not get much respect – but he laid down his life for Jesus. He was discipled by Jesus and knew what it meant to follow Him.

So Thomas, called the Twin,[b] said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” – John 11:16  ESV

Thomas statement here led him to a place where he could lay down his life at anytime for Jesus. He eventually did as he preached the gospel in Persia and India.

Imagine, if we found ourselves in a worship service filled with unrestrained praise to the tune of Psalm 150. Is that not unrelated to Thomas’ move from restrained disciple toward a proclamation of unrestrained praise —

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” – John 20:28  ESV

 

 

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Fear God more

 

A Mighty Fortress is our God – (Choir) / Martin Luther

 

Jesus was the first preacher of the gospel, then He sent His disciples and apostles.

While God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. – Hebrews 2:4  ESV

I preached a sermon recently quoting the fact that Satan is no longer the king of hell and for sure He is not even if some of think so. He has no power of eternal punishment because he is the one who will be punished. Jesus Himself took some time to exhort His those who followed Him to fear God more than those who can kill the body.

 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. – Hebrews 2:14  ESV

In disciple-making, I cannot help another unless I stand by the side of and on the same level of the one I am discipling.

 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. – Hebrews 2:17  ESV

And if Jesus was tempted, why wouldn’t I be tempted. So I accept it, leave it in the Lord’s hand and I am in no way disgraced or dishonoured. In fact, I look for how He will set up an escape from said temptation.

 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. – Hebrews 2:18  ESV

 

 

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