A busy week and weekend learning much, always growing, grafted into the holy root of Jesus Christ (Romans 11:16-18). Some big topics on my mind this week have been balance and discipleship.
Balance
Certainly, if the Lord gives much, he requires much (Luke 12:48). Adding to this, without him we can do nothing (John 15:5). One may feel overwhelmed when tasked with much in their walk with the Lord, but consider, isn’t everything working together for a saints good (Romans 8:28)? The Lord’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and the situations that are the most challenging, will often solidify us in the faith.
Recalling one specifically, I lived for a short season in my van during the start of a Missouri winter, working an overnight, 12-hour shift, being awake in the middle of the night on days off while the brothers and sisters slept. I would light an alcohol heater in my van to warm it up, and was always covered in blankets. During this time, instead of collapsing under isolation, dwelling in literal nighttime darkness, the Lord sustained me and led me to study many things, edifying the body, and building my foundation. The Lord showed me he is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and I grew much in this time alone with his Word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Psalms 119:148
When observing a situation, it’s best to keep in mind the command of the Lord…
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
Also keep in mind, your responsibility is to follow the Lord. Your finite mind has no clue what the Lord has planned to come of the situation you’re in. One of my favorite portions of scripture…
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
John 21:20-22
Hold fast to the Lord, his thoughts are far above your own, and he knows what we need to grow. If he puts you through challenging times, “what is that to thee? follow thou me.”
As I learn to balance many different facets of ministry, I pray you’ll be edified by it, observing my walk, as the Lord completes the work which he started in me (Phillippians 1:6).
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 4:14-16
Discipleship
If the Lord gives an opportunity for biblical discipleship, fellowship, and accountability, it would be foolish to dismiss it as something that is easily discarded. The Lord’s will is we bear him much fruit (John 15:8), and if the Lord graciously provides someone in your life to accelerate your growth off of his Vine, to prepare you for bearing him much fruit, instead of disregarding it, the attitude should be…
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 4:34
Is your life your own? Are you not made a new creature to glorify God? What better way to glorify God than to imitate those who have walked further down the path of the righteous before us (1 Corinthians 11:1), keeping in mind we’re all given the same Spirit, we worship the same Lord, and we all hold fast to the same faith, which was once delivered unto the saints.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13
Much peace comes from much submission one to another, as we all have the same Father, which is why we’re called brothers and sisters. We hold each other accountable, as we all strive to enter through the narrow gate of the Truth, who is Jesus Christ, holding fast to that which we have.
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 23:8-12
More to come on this, be sure to keep an eye on the Ekklesia area for studies me and my brother go through together!
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Verses of the Week
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3
