Enlargement through Pressure happens when we do not allow difficulties to shut us out from God.
Enlargement through pressure happens when we allow them to shut us INTO God.
Either pressure will cause you to reach God’s goal, or Pressure can put an end to your discipleship journey. When the way is too straight, the pressure too great, some escape, give up, commit suicide, while others find fullness and growth. When trials are too tough, some murmur, seeing only their limitations. Others praise God for the trials, and in so doing discover the pathways to enlargement, liberation and abundance of life. On your discipleship journey, is your spiritual vitality being enlarged or is it shrinking? How have you responded to pressures?
Archive for January, 2012
The Ultimate Test for a Disciple – Don’t Spit the Dummy
Posted: January 30, 2012 in Cross, David Discipleship, Discipleship, PressureTags: crack the fruity, Cross of Christ, David, Disciple, Faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus Christ, Pressure, Righteousness, Samuel, Saul, selfishness, spit the dummy, Suicide, Witch of Endor
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Terrell Suggs Invited God into the Ravens vs. Patriots Game.
Posted: January 25, 2012 in Fools, god, Touchdown Jesus, VictoryTags: Baltimore Ravens, Benjamin Franklin, ESPN, Game of Life, god, Honor, Name of God, NBC Sports, Salvation, Suggs, Terrell Suggs, Tim Tebow, Yahoo Sports
Football is a religion to many in America. They have their Sunday ritual of worship just as churches do. As the Giants and Patriots prepare for Superbowl XLVI, the Tebow phenomenon has quickly faded from memory. I do not believe God is sitting on the sidelines cheering one team against the other. I know He [...]
Discipleship and the Deadly DSCR Virus
Posted: January 24, 2012 in David, David Discipleship, Discipleship, Discouragement, hard heart, Jesus Christ, MosesTags: Achish, CDC, Compromise, Conditions and Diseases, courage, David, discipleship, Discouragement, Health, Hezekiah, Hope, Infectious Disease, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pain, Philistines, Satan, Saul
Yes, the DSCR virus is cause of that ancient malady, discouragement. It is the Devil’s favorite way of destroying Disciples, of rendering them powerless, and yes, even causing their death. We all know from hard experience how the devil uses the DSCR Virus to keep us from moving ahead. When anger won’t stop us, when lust can do us no harm, when envy finds no foothold, discouragement always works. It is the devil’s number one tool.
Faith Never Settles. Faith Never accepts an Adversary. Faith is Always Praying. When Faith fades, we lose heart, we become discouraged. We have settled.
Becoming a Disciple Building Church with First Century Power
Posted: January 24, 2012 in Church, Church Strategy, Commands of Christ, David Discipleship, DiscipleshipTags: Abandonment to God, Christ, Church, Confession, Disciple, discipleship, god, Grace, Grace Mission, Guilt, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Missional, Redemption, repentance, Salvation, Surrender
The First Century Church Experienced the Power of Grace and Touched the World with the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They did so because they were not ashamed of the Cross of Jesus Christ. They were not ashamed of following a God who had been cursed on the unspeakable Cross of Crucifixion. They were not ashamed because they were LIVING PROOF of the Power of the Cross over the corruption of the flesh. Jesus Christ was not only Savior of their Souls, He was the Savior of their LIVING!
Church is Powerful to the Community when it is a Powerful Community of Love that empowers people to Break Bad Habits (Spirit conquers Flesh).
Setting God Before Us
Posted: January 16, 2012 in David Discipleship, Hesed, Mishpat, TsedaqaTags: Abishai, Counsel of God, David, god, Hesed, I Samuel 26, King Saul, Mishpat, Moses, Psalm, Psalm 1, Psalm 54, Samuel, tsedaqah, Ungodly Counsel, Ungodly Man, Ziphites
Are you a Godly man or woman? Is God always before you? Do you meditate on His Word day and Night? Is your eye set upon Him and what He can Do? Is your back strong in Him and the power of His Might. Are you enjoying success that comes from giving out fruit – witnessing to others, encouraging others, or are you sitting on your butt complaining to others and scoffing at whats going on. Whether or not you are believe you are a Christian, if God is not set before you, you are ungodly. You are chaff, you will not stand in the day of judgment, you will not be seated in the congregation of the righteous. Your way will perish. Christianity is determined not by a prayer. It is determined by your heart, your eye, your back and yes, your butt. It is determined by your life!
Keeping Your Cool in a World of Fools
Posted: January 9, 2012 in David, David Discipleship, Hesed, Jesus Christ, Mishpat, TsedaqaTags: Abigail, arrogance, David, Disciple, discipleship, fool, Hesed, Holy Moments, Humility, Jesus Christ, King David, Mishpat, Nabal, pride, Saul, The Harbinger Book, tsedaqay
David Discipleship is a “succession of holy moments in which we count on His grace and strength to get us through”. Alan Redpath
Most people come to church needing a Holy Moment. We do our best with singing and preaching, but church is not the place for holy moments. Holy moments take place as you encounter fools, and Goliath’s, your friends, your spouse, and your children. Holy Moments happen when in the face of someone or something that causes you to rear up in pride or revenge, all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit whispers in your ear, and you humble yourself to submit to the Will and Word of God. A Holy Moment takes place when your will is set aside so that you may be set apart for the purpose of God!
We Shall be Saved by His Life
Posted: January 8, 2012 in Jesus Christ, Jesus is My LifeTags: Deliverance, Forgiveness, god, Jesus Christ, substitution, Victory
Jesus Christ is God’s answer to every human need. In every dealing with us, God works by taking us out of the way and substituting his son, Jesus, in our place. Jesus died instead of us for our forgiveness. Jesus lives instead of us for our deliverance.
We can speak of two substitutions: a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures our victory.
When Surrounded by Darkness, in Whom do you Trust?
Posted: January 2, 2012 in David Discipleship, Faith, Hesed, Mishpat, Tsedaqa, WorshipTags: Christ, David, discipleship, Engedi, Eritrea, Faith, god, Hesed, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mishpat, Saul, torture, tsedeqah, Worship
We want our discipleship to be comfortable, but Jesus says I don’t even promise you a bed to sleep on.
We want our discipleship to fit our schedule, but Jesus says let the dead bury their dead.
We want our discipleship to be convenient, but Jesus says if you put your hand to the plow and then look back at those conveniences, you are not fit for the Kingdom of God.
We don’t want our discipleship to make us so different that we’ll be embarrassed, or laughed at, , or be embarrassing, but Jesus said “whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory”.
We want our discipleship to not be too costly, but Jesus says if you are going to follow Him, you must give up everything by dying to self and taking up His cross for you!
