The words “disciple”/“disciples” are found 273 times in the Bible, all in the New Testament canon with the exception of 1 appearance in the Old Testament (Isaiah 8:16). “Disciple” is married to the word discipline. An un-disciplined life reveals a gross lack of respect and rooting in the Person, the Word, and the cause of Christ and is an un-fruitful life.
“And have NO ROOT in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” Mark 4:17
“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these HAVE NO ROOT, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:13
G3101
μαθητής
mathētēs
math-ay-tes’
From G3129; a learner, that is, pupil: – disciple.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
WHEN you seek God in prayer and His Word FIRST thing upon awaking, you declare that the LORD alone is “FIRST” place in your life (Matthew 6:33). Jesus says put Him “first” and those who don’t declare that He’s not “first”. Memorize Matthew 6:33 now.
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. … When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:4, 8
Anyone not in God’s Word daily is not in a relationship with the Savior. They consider the Son of God a second class citizen at best. He’s not their “first love” – first and highest priority (Revelation 2:4-5).
“When Jesus is your first love, you begin to desire Him and all His attributes! You are done with self and plead with Jesus to take all of you and crucify it. Your whole desire is to be comformed into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29. The cry of your heart is ‘more of Jesus, less of me.’ John 3:30.” Karen Cochran
IF God isn’t important enough to you to seek Him first daily in His Word and prayer, He’s not your “first love” and you are in need of repentance before it’s too late (Revelation 2:4-5).
“You’ll want nothing more when you want to follow the LORD.” Liza Young
ANY person who is not beginning his/her day seeking the face of Christ, is not putting God first. They still have the god of self first. Repentance needed – a re-turning to the LORD afresh! Then, watch His beautiful blessings flow into your life – so that no matter happens or comes your way, He’s LORD and Master over it all!
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?” Ezekiel 14:3
If you have just one idol in your life, that will damn your unrepentant wicked soul to hell irrevocably just exactly as a million idols will. Either you’ve truly repented and Jesus Christ is the MASTER of your life or you are as sure for hell as if you were already there. Any wolf posing as a pastor who isn’t preaching this to you is an agent of Satan. Repent, make Jesus your “FIRST love” for yourself and when you do, you will cease promoting and supporting Satan’s “ministers” and begin exposing them! (Revelation 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 2 John 7-11)
Those who pretend to serve God, those who read His Word and fellowship in prayer with Him only when they feel like it, when it’s convenient to their own self-serving, self-worshiping, self-idolatrous life, are backslidden and hell bound. Repent now, lay down your life and obey God. The fires of eternal damnation are going to forever feed upon your helpless, conscious soul if you don’t repent and return to Jesus as the “first love” of your life (Revelation 2:4-5).
God expects our obedience to Him (John 14:15). Obeying God proves we love Him (John 15:14).
“If ye love me, keep my commandments … He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” John 14:15, 21
Idols are not innocent. Any idolatry is soul-damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8). There are demons behind idols (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).
“LORD, right this moment, I release everything and everyone that I might be holding onto tighter than You….I will have no other god before You dear LORD…You Jesus Alone Are My LORD And Savior”…” Marlene Austin
What do you speak about more than Jesus? Matthew 12:34
The Ephesian church had good works and discernment for which Jesus complimented them. Yet, they’d left their “first love” or waned in their love for Christ!
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:2-5
OUR words reveal what’s in our hearts.
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34
The subject of our words reveals the affection of our hearts.
Any person who is overly proud of or who is trusting their church, pastor, favorite minister, or religious curiculum is not following Christ.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
Those who trust their church or pastor or religious experience instead of Christ, such a person has denied Christ.
This means that such a person is an antichrist – which means they’ve put something else, anything else before Christ, “in place of” Christ.
ANYTHING, ANYONE that one puts before God is an idol. Anything a person refuses to give up for Christ, is an idol. And all idolaters are going to hell according the Holy Scriptures.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:3-5
To say you know and love God and yet, you still feel the need to cling to your church, your religion, reveals that you are not yet born again, which Jesus says is a must to enter His kingdom.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. … Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:3, 7 | Born Again? What Does That Mean
In eternity, do you want to be glad you sought the LORD during your days on earth or regret in remorse that you refused to?
Jesus told us that if we put our own parents, spouse, or anyone else before Him, we are not worthy of Him, of His eternal kingdom.
SO many today will talk about their “church,” their pastor, or favorite minister – but not JESUS! Their wolf handlers are indoctrinating and using them as their sales agents! Spiritual adultery. Idolatry.
Who are you confessing?
“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
Will those who cling to mere men, leaders, traditions, or religion be saved? Whatever one refuses to give up for Christ is an idol. Damnation draws nigh.
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
In the eyes of a holy God, an idol is an idol. It matters not what that idol is – the idol being something someone loves more than the Savior. Christ requires that He alone be the “first love” of all who are His (Revelation 2:4-5).
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
God will not share the spotlight with anything or anyone.
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
His name is Jealous.
“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14
Beloved, we must revel in, rejoice in, and magnify the LORD Jesus Christ. His apostle Paul said:
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
A lot of people are caught up with their “church” but not with Christ! (Revelation 2:4-5)
Of the religionists of His day, Jesus cited them as loving their religion, their traditions, more than Him.
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment (Word) of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
To attempt to share Jesus and religion, clinging to religion, is to commit spiritual adultery, to be an idolater, having other gods before the LORD. This is no different than a married person having another lover on the side. Absolutely adultery, worthy of eternal damnation (1 Corinthians 6:9; Revelation 21:8, etc.).
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14
To refuse to relinquish, to give up your religion for Christ is to deny Christ and be outside of His kingdom.
In comparison to loving God, our love for others must be like hate. Jesus must be the very “first love” of our lives, above all others (Revelation 2:4-5; Matthew 22:37-39).
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5
Jesus Christ plus nothing equals eternal life – and to refuse to give up your religion for Christ means you simply have not repented and been saved. You are not washed in His blood and in need of repentance and believing upon Him fully. It’s all or nothing with Christ.
“He that is not with me is against me;” Matthew 12:30
Loving God first, then all others ….
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
If your life is all about yourself, that’s exactly why you’re so unfulfilled, empty, and miserable. Doing things God’s way is always the way, the only way to have His blessing on our lives.
The LORD saved us and left us here to love, worship, and obey Him… and to serve others – not ourselves. Today is your day to repent afresh, to do business with the Lord, to get out of your own world and into the lives of others, spending your energy and resources to fortify them in god’s love and truth. Read Philippians 2 each morning this week and follow Jesus.
LOVE is the governing factor:
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20
Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery – because he loves God supremely!
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
If your view of serving God is drudgery, you are deceived and in need of getting into His Word.
If we love Jesus, obeying Him is joy, just as it was for Jacob as he served a whole 7 years to obtain a lifelong marital relationship with his beloved Rachel (Genesis 29:20).
Disciple of Jesus, read this brief passage of Holy Scripture below and see if God doesn’t recalibrate you toward the mind of Christ ….
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5
Personally, I don’t like leaving home without pouring over and even praying aloud this passage. Something refreshing, something of God, something bless-ed occurs without fail when I do.
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Abiding
7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]
PRAY
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44
LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9
REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14
RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT
“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19
DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18
TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31
STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18
The blessedness of being merciful to others:
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32
Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10
Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness Quotes
Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.
“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros
“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill
“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr
“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown
Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God
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Christ’s Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30
It’s one thing to claim we are with Christ and He with us, and it’s another thing to prove we are with the Savior by adhering to His words. Jesus told us that those who are “of God” hear and obey His words (John 8:47).
If one chooses not to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, such a man has rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in his own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin
Only the counterfeit will get upset at this Gospel message because such a rebel wants nothing to do with taking personal responsibility for his sin, the denial of self, the crucified life to be set apart, holy, and having the Savior reign!
Notice how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body (the iniquitous fallen nature) with the destiny of the eternal soul.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25
Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him!
Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!
Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
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