Disciple or Acquaintance

 I have been considering lately that some people don't really know the Lord on a personal level. That should be a concern to all of us. We need to develop disciples of the Lord, not just acquaintances. 

     Just think, the Lord called Abraham "friend", isn't that more the relationship you would like to have with God the Father? If yes, then what are you doing to develop it?

and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. James 2:23

 

Psalm 28:7

 Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart triumphs,
And with my song I shall thank Him.

In Spirit and Deed

     Many people are under the idea that when they give their lives to the Lord that He will make everything smooth. I don't like to burst that bubble, but from my walk after giving my life to the Lord, I've seen many times when things weren't too smooth for me and others.

     In scripture, you can read about many experiences that didn't turn out the way we would have thought they should. Read Stephen's story just as an example. He was a Godly man serving others and obeying the word of the Lord, he was stoned to death. His life brought glory to the Lord, but not as we would have imagined it. 

     In our lives, we should not look for things to be "smooth" but instead, focus on what will bring glory to the Lord. I know, we would not look forward to being a martyr, we may even shrink back from it, but strengthen your heart and your spirit that even when you face hardships you will still glorify the Lord in word and deed.

Acts 6:8-60 ~ The story of Stephen

Testify

 Have you been in church and had the speaker ask if anyone has a witness or testimony to share of what God is doing in their lives?      

So many times nobody shares anything! Is it really possible that the Lord is not doing something in their world? Or is it more likely that they are not recognizing what He is doing? I remember deciding one Sunday that I would never let the Lord go without a testimony. I have realized that even if we think that there are not great humongous miracles happening in our lives the Lord is still blessing us in multiple ways. 

The Sunday that I made this commitment to not see a time go by without the Lord having someone stand for Him and share a testimony, I shared the joy that I receive from Lightening Bugs! I really doubt that the Lord had to make a bug that would Light up the darkness and make us smile, but He did! And it even happens when the weather is comfortable for us to sit out and watch the little creatures do their light shows!

Is there not something in your life that you recognize as a special gift from the Lord? Birds? Flowers? Clouds? Trees? A spring rain? The beauty of everything covered with snow in the winter? Surely if you stop and think about it you can come up with something to speak of as a testimony or witness to God's goodness. Think about it and speak out! Testify to God's goodness!

I know a lot of God's people talk about His love. It is a very popular subject and well received! But the message that I most often am prompted to share is about His Holiness. Holiness is an under considered thing in God's Kingdom. God is Holy and we're called to be Holy. 

     Yes, there are times we mess up and we need to repent and try again, but there are quite a few people out there that don't really realize that "Holiness" is what we are called to as part of God's Kingdom. 

     I hear praise songs often that are more focused on "woe, woe, woe is me!" than on anything that leads you to recognize God's glory and holiness. I think of the hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul" and compare it to hymns these days and they come up pretty short. The hymn writer wrote these words after a terrible tragedy in his life~ 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

     

He didn't focus on his hardships, he focused on God's goodness. I believe when we are growing in the holiness that we are called to then this is the same attitude that we will reflect to the world. Maybe that's why God has called us to be Holy as He is? Maybe it's His love that has called us to be Holy?

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior, because it is written: 'You shall be Holy, for I am Holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

Psalm 28:7-9