Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”Matt 16:24-25 (NIV)
Recently I was talking with a young man that was on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He was telling me about what he had to accomplish this summer to stay on track with his goal. I have to admit, I was impressed, it quite a list of things to do.
I remember being a Cub Scout when I was young. I still remember the motto, “I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God, and my country, to help other people, and obey the law of the pack.” I enjoyed my time as a Cub Scout so much so that I enrolled Luke in the program as soon as he was old enough. The problem…like his dad, Luke only lasted about a year.
See I loved being a part of the group, going to the activities, wearing the shirt, getting the badges. I didn’t like all the work that went into getting to the next level. It was demanding and I wasn’t up to the challenge.
I think there are a lot of Christians that live at a “Cub Scout” level with God. They take the “oath,” wear the uniform, do the basics but never take the step to get to the next level. They call themselves “Christians” but aren’t willing to become “disciples.”
The truth is that all disciples are believers, but not all believers are disciples. The life of a disciple is not an easy one but it is a part of the abundant life Christ wants you to live. …narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt 7:14 (NKJV)
This summer make a commitment to take the next step with God!
Prayer is one of the key components to our mysterious relationship with God. Here are some of my favorite prayers from great Christians.O Holy Spirit of God, abide in us; inspire all our thoughts; pervade our imaginations; suggest all our decisions; order all our doings. Be with us in our silence and in our speech, in our haste and in our leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and the weariness of the evening; and give us grace at all times humbly to rejoice in the Thy mysterious companionship.John Baillie
Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart.Martin Luther
Lord, make my life a window for Your light to shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love to all I meet. Amen. Robert Schuller
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Augustine
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, "Speak, for Thy servant heareth." Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking. Amen. A. W. Tozer
For more inspiring prayers pick up the Great Prayers of Great Christians sheet in the church lobby.
Following Jesus requires obedience. You can’t call yourself a disciple if you’re not willing to follow the guidance of the teacher. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
One of the ways that we follow Jesus is by being baptized in water. It is a step of obedience to the Lord following conversion. It is part of becoming a disciple (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:38). It is also the answer of a good conscience toward God (I Peter 3:21).
This public event tells God and everybody else (the church, your family, and friends) that you are a true follower of Christ. Jesus identified with sinful man when He was baptized by John. We are identified with Christ when we are baptized in Christian baptism. It is a symbol of your new life in Christ. Baptism is an act that demonstrates you have buried your former sinful life and have been to the cross, just like Jesus. It shows you want to put an end to the old life, and then to be resurrected “to walk in the newness of life.” (Romans 6:34)
I want to personally invite you to follow the Lord and be baptized in water. Take this crucial step in becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ! A Water Baptism Information Sheet is in your bulletin as well as available in the lobby. Everyone is invited to our Worship, Prayer, & Baptism evening at Christian Life Church on Sunday, November 23 at 6PM. It is one of the most inspiring evenings of the year as we watch young and old follow the Lord in water baptism.
If you have been baptized in water are you walking in the abundant new life God has given you? Take time this week to evaluate your discipleship. Are you following God and His Word? Are you close to the Teacher heeding His guidance for your life? Let’s be Christians who hear God say "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)
