Discipleship involves prayer, teaching, compassion, commitment, and the ability to lead by a godly example; some portions are passive, while others are extremely active and intentional. When Barnabas saw how Paul was being rejected in Jerusalem, he “took him and brought him to the apostles” (Acts 9:27). When he may have been concerned that Paul was discouraged; “Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Paul” (Acts 11:25). And when Mark was facing rejection and almost certain discouragement for future ministry, “Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus” (Acts 15:39).

Each of these events involved much more than a kind word as Barnabas continued on his own path. They involved evaluating the need, and then making the necessary changes in his own path to help meet the need – they involved being intentional.

There is certainly no better example of how to disciple others than Jesus. During His ministry on earth Jesus was an example to all who saw or heard of Him. He taught large groups and ministered to individuals at every opportunity. But with a specific group of twelve, Jesus gave an extra measure of His time and energy to help them grow closer to God and equip them for future ministry.

Luke 6:12-13 “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles.”

We ought to do more than encourage when it’s convenient, more than live a godly life and hope others will follow. In Jesus, we are given a wonderful example of choosing, through prayer, individuals whom we intentionally lead closer to God. This is clearly His command when Jesus says, “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

I wish I could say it’s easy to “go and make disciples,” but it’s not. And I wish I could say I’m good at it, but I’m definitely not! Getting schedules and desires to match up seems to get harder all the time, and the process can often become quite discouraging. And yet, we must not give up. Jesus showed us the way and commanded us to follow; this is the only true plan for discipleship!

Let’s continue to lead through the example of a devoted and holy life, and encourage those in need at every opportunity. But let’s also take the next step and prayerfully identify those who will receive our special attention for an extended period of time. Let’s pour ourselves into others and help them grow closer to Jesus through intentional discipleship. (STEVE TROXEL)

“So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted.”
Matthew 14:29-30

So typically when we hear someone teach on this passage the focus is on Peter’s failure to keep his eyes on Jesus. He let his impulsive arrogance deceive him into thinking he could do what Jesus was doing. Then his faith faltered and he was literally all wet. There’s a good bit we can learn by looking at it from that angle but there are a few other good insights we miss if we stop there.

First of all, don’t be afraid to ask God for the ridiculous. The other disciples were cowering in fear but when Peter realized that it was Jesus they were seeing on the water he said, “If it’s You, have me come out of the boat to You.” What a bold request! Most of us would’ve never thought to ask Jesus for something that ridiculous but Peter did.

Second, when God gives you a green light, go! When Jesus said, “Come,” how many of us would have stayed in the boat? How many of us would have said, “Are you sure?” Some of us might have gone to the edge and toe tested the water but not Peter. He was over the side of the boat and 100 percent all in. We should all be so obedient!

Third, remember that failure is part of learning to walk by faith. Refuse to allow the fear of failure to confine you to a comfortable, controlled and colorless life. You’ll never experience the great adventure God created you for if you don’t trust Him enough to take some God-led risks along the way.

So ask big, ridiculous things of God. He’s a big God! When God gives you the word, go! Don’t wait, negotiate or hesitate. If Jesus is calling you to the water, He’ll be your rescue if you start to sink. “Only God” stories are lived out only by those who ask big, risk all and step out. You are loved! (CROSSROADS CHURCH)

Many years ago, when I attended a youth conference, a young man came to me and took me aside. We stood together underneath a great Douglas fir tree, and he said, “Pastor, I
don’t know what is the matter with me. I want to be a good Christian, and I try hard, but somehow I just never seem to make it. I’m always doing the wrong thing. I just can’t live like a Christian.

I said to him, Well, there may be several reasons for that, but, first of all, let me ask you this, “What about your private life with the Lord? How well do you know Him? How much do you delight in reading His Word and then spending time talking to Him? Because, after all, it’s not the time you spend in reading the Word that’s important, but it’s the time you spend in enjoying the presence of God that strengthens you.”

He hung his head and said, “Well, I admit I don’t do very much of that.”

Just then this very phrase from Psalm 1:3 flashed into my mind: He is like a tree planted by streams of water. I stepped back and said to him, “Look at this tree we’re under. What does it remind you of? What are the qualities this tree suggests to you?”

He looked at the tremendous Douglas fir tree, towering up into the heavens above, and said, “Well, the first thing is, it’s strong.” I said, “Yes, anything else?” “Well”, he said, “it’s beautiful.” I said, “Exactly! Beauty and strength. Those are the two things you admire about this tree. And those are exactly the two things you want in your own life, aren’t they? Beauty and strength?” He said, “Right.” “Well”, I said, tell me this, “What makes this tree beautiful and strong? Where does it get its beauty and its strength?” He stopped for a moment and looked at the tree. Then he said, “Well, from the roots, I guess.” I asked him, “Can you see the roots?” “No”, he said, “you can’t.” Then he said, “I get it! That is the hidden part of life, but it is the secret of this tree’s beauty and strength, isn’t it?”

That is exactly what this psalmist is saying. Those who are godly have learned, in the hidden inner parts of their life, to draw upon the grace and glory and strength of God. Their roots run deep into rich and moist soil, and this is what makes them beautiful and strong. And they are fruitful: He … yields its fruit in season. That is probably a reference to the fruit of the Spirit, which is described for us in the New Testament. It is the character of God, and that is always the same in either the Old or the New Testament: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and the rest of the qualities listed in Galatians 5:22.

For your Reflection:

• Beautiful, strong and fruitful describes a life rooted and grounded in God’s life and love. Are you planted and nurtured in the soil of Christ’s character?

• Are you allowing this marvelous provision from God for producing godlikeness to bear fruit in you? Or does a great deal of your life still consist of ungodliness so that you are like the chaff that the wind drives away? (RAY STEDMAN)

What motivates you to talk with God? Throughout the Scriptures, we are commanded to pray. In fact, Jesus—the Son of God—considered prayer so essential that He regularly left the crowds to seek time alone with His Father (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). Any relationship requires communication if it is to grow and flourish, and that includes our relationship with God.

David was a man who knew the Lord intimately. Since he recorded many of his prayers in the psalms, we are able to catch a glimpse of his heart as he poured out his soul before the Lord. Psalm 25 shows us five reasons that we, too, should come to God in prayer:

1. Guidance (Show me Your paths and teach me to follow; guide me by Your truth and instruct me. You keep me safe, and I always trust You. Psalm 25:4-5).

If we ask, the Lord will lead and teach us.

2. Forgiveness (Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind You are and remember me. Be true to Your name, Lord, by forgiving each one of my terrible sins. Psalm 25:7 & 11).

Each day we need God’s cleansing for sin and His power to repent and turn back to Him.

3. Decisions (You will show the right path to all who worship You. Psalm 25:12).

When we reverentially fear God, He instructs us in the way we should choose.

4. Trouble (I am lonely and troubled. Show that You care and have pity on me. My awful worries keep growing. Rescue me from sadness. See my troubles and misery and forgive my sins. Psalm 25:16-18).

When we’re overwhelmed by difficulties, no one can comfort us like the Lord.

5. Protection (Look at all my enemies! See how much they hate me. I come to You for shelter. Protect me, keep me safe, and don’t disappoint me. Psalm 25:19-20).

God is the One who guards our soul and rescues us from the enemy’s attacks.

When we seek the Lord, He becomes our refuge. God understands our weaknesses and invites us to come to Him with all our concerns. It’s in the intimacy of prayer that we learn to know His faithfulness, compassion, and love. Then we can say, as David did, “O my God, in You I trust” (Psalm 25:2).

(DR CHARLES STANLEY)

In John 2: 1-11, Jesus was attending a wedding just like you and I do. Although weddings are expensive today, they were even more so in Jesus’ day. The feast would last for many days and the guests who were invited ate and drank their fill. You can imagine how important keeping the tables full would have been to a groom.

One of the reasons for such an extravagant feast was to pay back those who had provided a wonderful wedding feast for you to attend in the past. When the wine ran out it was a cultural faux pas (embarrassing blunder), and could have caused the bridegroom much shame. Jesus understood this aspect of His culture and so when His mother came to Him, He did not hesitate to help.

It is significant Jesus’ first miracle happened at a wedding. All of the miracles Jesus did throughout His ministry were focused on helping other people. He healed people, He multiplied bread and fish so they could eat, and He raised people from the dead. Although turning water into wine may not seem as incredible as making a blind person see, it is still a very important miracle. Jesus showed He wasn’t just interested in the big or spectacular, but also the small and seemingly commonplace.

When Jesus went to the wedding feast in Cana, He had not yet begun His ministry. When His mother came to Him, He told her this very thing. However, that did not stop Him from performing a miracle. Jesus took everyday objects—jars and water—at a common event—a wedding—and made them extraordinary. Jesus wants to do this in every person’s life. When we slow down and take time to look at our lives it is easy to see God coming alongside of us transforming the common, everyday events into extraordinary life changing experiences.

Sometimes we will not see incredible miracles in our lifetime. We may not know someone who is healed. But God is still at work. He is at work in the ordinary things of our lives. When we choose to live our lives for Him, we will see His hand in our lives wherever we look. We have to make the choice, though. You can’t just hope the blessings of God will come no matter what you do; you have to live for Jesus. When you do, He will work a miracle in you!

Reflection:

•  Where do you need to see the hand of Jesus turning the ordinary things of your life into extraordinary things?
• Have you been looking for “out of this world” miracles, missing the little ways God wants to bless you?
• Will you choose today to live your life for Jesus so He can work a miracle in you?                                                                                                                 (CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

The Incarnation of Christ has profound implications for Christian stewardship. In the wisdom of God, to redeem man from his sin required the Son to become a Man Himself …

If stewardship, in its simplest implication, is about giving, then John 1:1 confronts the world with the most sublime gift ever given, the most astounding act of generosity that can be imagined. As a monument to the unsurpassed stewardship of the Son of God, the Incarnation rises high above the horizon of all other demonstrations of giving …

God presented His most valuable gift to man in the Eternal Word made flesh. Once in the world, Jesus the Incarnate Son then gave Himself to the Father in complete submission, and to the world as the Servant from God. In His earthly existence, Jesus was a Steward charged with a divine mandate. Stewardship can be defined as “the obedient management of life and all its resources under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.”

Jesus fulfilled His role of steward perfectly:

No matter how difficult the testing became, no matter how demanding the giving of self, no matter how costly in terms of friendship, following, or popularity, Jesus managed His life faithfully. When ultimately such perfect management meant giving up His life for the cause of the kingdom of God, Jesus was willing, and He did so. He made no exception to His total stewardship of life for anything, including His life itself …

Looking at a world filled with people facing the death sentence of sin, Jesus Christ laid aside the riches of heaven and came to be Savior. As He walked the earth, He continued to give His all, managing every opportunity, every gift, every resource, for the glory of God and the building of His kingdom. Even faced with death, He gave His last treasure, His own life, to save the lives of others. He went to the cross with no regret that if He had been a better steward, He might have done more. He had done everything God wanted of Him, and He became the Master Steward, both Savior of humanity and example to those who would follow Him.

Reflect upon it:
• How is the Word made flesh the most valuable gift ever?

• In what ways was Jesus a servant and a steward?

• How does the Spirit guide your endeavors as a steward?
(PASTOR ROBERT SIMMS)

Did you know that to be a disciple literally means to be disciplined? A disciple means a disciplined or trained one, and to be trained means to do something that isn’t natural or easy. Passion is natural, but faithfulness is not. Fun, enjoyment and entertainment are things that come easy to us, but doing something that is hard is not. Anything that requires pain, sacrifice or repetitive persistence is easily dismissed by our flesh and replaced by excuses and justification for doing what’s easier.

When I was learning piano, I had to play some really difficult pieces, and when I first attempted them, they sounded horrible! They were so hard that after I started, I wanted to give up and say, “forget it.” My initial passion flew out the window at the point at which playing no longer came naturally, and I think I would have given up completely but for a small voice inside that urged me to keep trying — that’s where discipline was required. No matter how awful it sounded, I went back to that music again and again until I had the music mastered. It wasn’t natural, but it was worth it! Once I had the music nailed, my passion returned, but it was rebirthed in a totally different fashion. You see, for me, true passion was knowing the music perfectly and not having to look at sheet music anymore; being able to play them from my heart, knowing that I had conquered them. But discipline was the cost required to experience that kind of passion.

You see, friend, real passion is a synthesis (combining a number of different parts or ideas to come up with a new idea) of your natural desires and skills and abilities, but it’s also the fruit of persistence and grit; only when you’ve worked through the hard bit can you play its song by heart. There is a journey required to fulfill every calling and there’s a price to be paid for becoming the person God wants you to be. However, as you walk hand-in-hand with Jesus, He takes the natural and makes it supernatural, picking up the slack for you and depositing His strength that does whatever you can’t. Isn’t that incredible news?

Reflection
In what areas of your life have you broken through to a place of true passion following a period of intense training and discipline? How does it feel?
(BOBBY SCHULLER)