February 14–Being a Disciple 

Happy Valentines Day! I hope you have someone or lots of someones you love who you can share how you feel about them. It’s a day for celebrating all kinds of love—mothers, fathers, children, grandkids, friends, and anyone else you care deeply for. Let them all know it today. I intend to be outside today as often as possible because our high is supposed to be 60 and tomorrow morning we are predicted to get freezing rain with a high temperature of 29. Warm, windy, bitter cold...February just can’t decide what to do. 


Sometimes that’s the way I am —on fire for God and His Word one day and the next, something silly puts me back in freezing rain. Does that ever happen to you? I just praise God for His understanding, mercy and grace upon my life. 


This life of following Jesus, means we are striving to be His disciples. I looked up the word “disciple” and Webster’s says it is “a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.” If we are to be disciples, we must realize we have a teacher to whom we listen and learn from. Sometimes in our walk with Christ, we may begin to feel stale or disconnected. Often times, we have taken off on our own because we have “senior-itis” —we think we are ready to graduate and we no longer require a teacher. But in truth, Jesus continually calls us into a deeper relationship with Him and sometimes when we feel “stale” we simply need to move deeper into that relationship


We can have head knowledge of His Word but until we have that reciprocal relationship with Him, we will never understand what being a disciple is all about. When we read the scripture, we learn the will of God, but when we ACT on it, we have become His followers. When we do something that reflects the will of God, we are being His disciples. The truth of God comes alive in our deepened relationship with Him. 


And being that follower is very important to Jesus. On earth, he spoke of learning 25 times yet he talked about discipleship 261 times. Obviously, the ways of God are not intended to be learned in a classroom but rather experienced through the relationship of teacher-disciple. 


“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.” Matthew‬ ‭9:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬


“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”” John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬


Lord Jesus we long to be perfectly whole, for you to live forever in our souls; break down every idol and cast out every foe; and wash us so we can be whiter than snow as we stand before you. Our hearts’ desire is to follow you and learn at your feet. And more than just learn, we want to be your hands and feet so we may reflect your will. We want a deep relationship with you so each day we will grow closer to you. Forgive us when we run hot and cold and teach us consistency. We praise you Lord for your wonderful love and grace and mercy on us. Without that, we would be lost. You are our Redeemer and Friend and we praise your holy Name. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend, 

Pam

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