The way you love is a witness about what and who you will follow, and it will surely dictate who you serve. Jesus said, “by this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love for others is the test of true disciples. It is this distinct quality that redeems men and promotes a witness that speaks louder than mere words. This past week, I felt as though the Lord was revealing to me the true marks of His discipleship. His disciple is a follower; he is led by the Spirit of God to become the example of Jesus by loving others through difficult and trying situations. Jesus commands this love by saying, ‘love as I loved you, follow me.’ ‘I loved you when you were far off, even haters of God, so I loved you and say love others like that.’ Second, His disciple is a fisher of men, a rescuer of souls in danger. He looks by the Spirit of God for ways to forgive and so redeem what would otherwise be lost. Third, he is a finisher. It’s not just that he is one who endures all things to the end, but that he, by wisdom, seeks to finish the work of God in the lives of others like a skillful carpenter would carefully adorn the inside of a large house making it possible for others to find life and living there. It is to complete the work that Jesus birthed in others through much prayer by learning to love instead of loving to hate. Jesus is calling you as His disciple to a love relationship thereby saying, ‘why not begin to pray that your closest relationships be marked by My love?’ Why not pray for those places where loving is hard? ‘Come, develop my character of love, because I have loved you through some difficult times so you could be, as My disciple, the witness of My love.’
Category: Impression
The Kingdom of God
What is the Kingdom of God like? How could you Illustrate It? These questions Jesus asks and then answers by saying, ‘It is like a tiny mustard seed’, planted in a garden. Planted within earthen vessels, the Kingdom is within you. God has given to each a measured task in this Kingdom. And He has not called me to compare my work to the work of others, He simply seeks for me to follow my unique talents in bringing an increase to this living structure. Right now, in the crucible of your circumstances, God is developing faithfulness to make sons of His kingdom in order that in these days ahead, we might be that city set on a hill–a bright light and living demonstration of relationship marked by His love. Recently, it was impressed upon me and now I say to you, God is not finished with your mistakes and is working to prepare you for the work of His kingdom..hear His voice and follow His call.
‘Let Down Your Nets’
Where is Jesus? You look in scripture and still find it hard to hear His voice. You ask, but don’t seem to find His answers to your questions. But make no mistake, His voice always comes to His disciples from the shoreline on their sea of trouble to test their faith and give them hope and a greater harvest. John 21 tells us Jesus told His disciples to ‘let down their nets’. It was in the middle of trying times where their faith was being tested. There was great fear, discouragement, and a great wondering about ‘tommorrow’ because Jesus had left them, but then comes His voice skipping off the water, saying, ‘trust me, do as I say and reap the harvest of my blessing and abundance’. I believe He would say that to you, if know Him, ‘Child, let down your net’. You have sought comfort in things of this world and found nothing that lasts. You have, to quote John’s gospel, “no fish”, and there is nothing to show from the labor of your own strength; so why not try His? Come, ‘let down your nets’. I believe He would say, ‘come to the place of surrender; it’s a place marked by My suffering because of the cross.’ It is instant provision in exchange for your strength. Today, He sits at the right hand of God’s redeeming power to display abundant life to those who will hear Him speaking from the shoreline of their weariness to say, ‘let down those nets and take up your cross and I will lead you, and my voice will surely speak saying, come follow me and know the love I have for you.’
In Times Like These
Times like these are days marked by uncertainty. There are pressing fears without and fears within. For the believer, there remains only one constant; it will be the insight you draw from the Word of God that keeps you; it will be this truth that gives you a bearing. When Jesus fed the multitude with one small boy’s offering, He makes a point giving insight into times like these. That day, there was not enough money to feed such a crowd, yet the favor of God at Jesus’ blessing was all that was necessary to transform small things into great. The point is we are living in times when your resources will fail, and it will be more important than ever to understand His ability to take the small things and make great impact, not only in your life, but the lives of many others. In times like these, in the coming days ahead, who are you going to trust? Jesus offers the favor and blessing of God that can unlock the wealth of His kingdom. Like that small boy, He desires to use you and that small gift you possess. What will you do? Times like these require decisive action. What about your gift? It’s greater only in His hand producing the blessing of God–in times like these.
GraceLife 