Discipled to Christ

"Let us see that to be the Lord's disciple it cannot be based upon your own strength, it has to come from Him. He is the One who calls and He is the One who will work it out. It does not depend upon yourself. Do not think because you have an iron will you can be His disciple; do not assume because you have natural love you can be His disciple; do not think because you understand you can therefore be His disciple. If you try to be a follower by relying upon yourself you will completely fail. If you try to be absolute with the Lord in and of yourself, let me tell you that you cannot. It is impossible. With man this is utterly impossible. Nevertheless, you need not be afraid. The Lord knows you. The Lord does not expect you to be His disciple on your own basis. For hear again the gracious words of the Lord: 'Fear not, I am with you; I will do it; you are but clay in My hand.'

"...The skill of the Master is shown in transforming the dullest and the most worthless into the wisest and the worthiest. All which is needed of the disciple is a full committal and willingness to learn. And so we see that Peter left everything and followed the Lord. And by such action this discipleship was sealed at last, and from that day onward we find Peter in the school of Christ--full time, totally committed, and following the Master.

"O Lord, show Yourself to us, show us Your glory. Make us to see You and hear You that we may respond to You as we ought. Reveal Yourself to us in all Your beauty, greatness and loveliness that we may be completely abandoned to You. So fill our hearts with Your love, Lord, that we may be constrained to rise up and follow You.

"We do desire that Your image shall be seen through us as Your disciples. Yet Lord, evermore tell us that it does not depend upon ourselves to be a good disciple, but that it depends upon You. May we learn to entrust ourselves into Your hands and let You mold and shape us to be a new vessel for Your glory. We ask that as You do call us, let none of us escape; even so, we cannot escape, for You have attracted us.

"Lord, You know our hearts. Search us. Do not let this day pass by without something very real being done by Your Spirit in each one of us. To those who have not heard Your call, make us hear; to those who are hesitating, make us see You in all Your glory; to those who are afraid and feel unworthy -- oh, overcome us by Your worthiness and by Your strength and obtain in us disciples for Yourself."

-Stephen Kaung, Discipled to Christ, 1976

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me, [for] whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple, [because] you did not choose Me, but I chose you that you should go and bear fruit, [and so] become fishers of men.

-Mt 16:24; Lu 14:27; Jn 15:16; Mr 1:17

The Power and Simplicity of the Gospel

"Are you afraid that preaching the gospel will not win souls? Are you despondent as to success in God’s way? Is this why you pine for clever oratory? Is this why you must have music, and architecture, and flowers and millinery? After all, is it by might and power, and not by the Spirit of God? It is even so in the opinion of many.

Brethren beloved, there are many things which I might allow to other worshippers which I have denied myself in conducting the worship of this congregation. I have long worked out before your very eyes the experiment of the unaided attractiveness of the gospel of Jesus. Our service is severely plain. No man ever comes hither to gratify his eye with art, or his ear with music. I have set before you, these many years, nothing but Christ crucified, and the simplicity of the gospel; yet where will you find such a crowd as this gathered together this morning? Where will you find such a multitude as this meeting Sabbath after Sabbath, for five-and-thirty years? I have shown you nothing but the cross, the cross without flowers of oratory, the cross without diamonds of ecclesiastical rank, the cross without the buttress of boastful science. It is abundantly sufficient to attract men first to itself, and afterwards to eternal life!

In this house we have proved successfully, these many years, this great truth, that the gospel plainly preached will gain an audience, convert sinners, and build up and sustain a church. We beseech the people of God to mark that there is no need to try doubtful expedients and questionable methods. God will save by the gospel still: only let it be the gospel in its purity. This grand old sword will cleave a man’s chine, and split a rock in halves.

How is it that it does so little of its old conquering work? I will tell you. Do you see the scabbard of artistic work, so wonderfully elaborated? Full many keep the sword in this scabbard, and therefore its edge never gets to its work. Pull off that scabbard. Fling that fine sheath to Hades, and then see how, in the Lord’s hands, that glorious two-handed sword will mow down fields of men as mowers level the grass with their scythes.

There is no need to go down to Egypt for help. To invite the devil to help Christ is shameful. Please God, we shall see prosperity yet, when the church of God is resolved never to seek it except in God’s own way."

-C.H. Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 1888

"Remember those...who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." 

Hebrews 13:7-8

May Children Find Joy This Year

When it comes to ministering to children, my heart could not be more aligned than it is with George Muller:

"It appears to me that believers generally have expected far too little present fruit from their labors among children. They hope that the Lord will some day confirm their instruction and answer the prayers which they offer up on the children's behalf. The Bible assures us that in everything we do for the Lord, including bringing up children in the fear of the Lord, our labor is not in vain. We have to guard against thinking that it does not matter whether we see present fruit or not. On the contrary, we should give the Lord no rest until we see fruit. Therefore, in persevering yet submissive prayer, we should make our requests known to God. I am now looking for many more children to be converted."

To that end, this is my prayer for 2013. I've been trying to reach children in a difficult neighborhood the past year with very little success, and I am now convinced it was because I lacked in consistent, persevering, earnest prayer; all in guidance on how to reach them, for the Holy Spirit to go ahead of us and prepare their little hearts, and for His blessing upon our labors in reaching them. I am greatly encouraged to give the Lord no rest, through prayer, until we see fruit. May the children surrounding you, no matter what country you live in, find heavenly joy in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ this year. May they grow in their love and understanding of Him, and may they encourage us in their awe inspiring faith and simplicity. God's little missionaries are all around us just waiting for the opportunity to shine for Him :) 

Oh, may 2013 be a happy year in Him for children around the world!

Don't Forget Our Liberty

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

Galatians 5:1

We, who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, are a chosen generation that is blessed above all other people on earth. Blessed, not in temporal possessions, but in spiritual life, which is imparted to every aspect of life. We have been given the gift of God, Jesus Christ, who has given us salvation. Through salvation we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not lead us again to the bondage of the letter that kills, but the Spirit gives life. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. How is it, then, that many believers, who have the Spirit, have forgotten this liberty we have in Christ?

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

2 Corinthians 3:17

How easily we, as followers of Christ, condemn the Pharisees for their harsh and unforgiving treatment towards God's children. There was no liberty for the disciples of the Pharisees, but only heavy burdens, hard to bear, laid upon their shoulders, so that any joy or love for God was drained out of them. No wonder, then, why it was such a salvation when Jesus came to "proclaim liberty to the captives" Isa 61:1. Jesus not only liberates the souls of His disciples from eternal death, but He also gives liberty to each of His disciples to live life in Him! When you strip a believer of his liberty in Christ, you strip the very life he was granted to partake of in Christ from him. It was not given to us to bind heavy burdens upon our fellow believers, but it was given to us to only turn people to Christ so they could become His disciple, where He, as their Master, invites them to partake of the liberty and joy of His light burden:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

There is no greater joy on earth to me than my personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that, I should make it clear that I am not a disciple of any man or woman, nor will I ever be, because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is something more than just a title given to me the moment I forsook all, took up my cross, and followed Him; it is a way of life; a training that will not end until the moment I am face to face with Christ my Savior.

The liberty I enjoy in Christ is indescribable. I fellowship with Him all day long. Decisions I am faced with multiple times a day, I bring to Him and ask what He would desire me to do. When I read Scripture that I don't understand, I bring it to Him and ask Him to explain it to me. When I am faced with a situation where I don't know what to do, I run to Him to find out what to do. I receive spiritual food and drink from Him daily. He is my Friend. He is my Father. He is my Master. I run to do what He asks me to do. I seek His advice. I do things that I think will please Him because I love Him. I don't do things that I think will not please Him because I love Him. I can't wait to be alone with Him and fellowship with Him. I get excited to know more about Him. I love taking any opportunity to simply know Him better. He comforts me when I am sad or hurt. When I am confused, He brings me to a verse that gives clarity. When I am scared, He settles a peace over me that I can't explain. When I am happy, His joy surrounds me. When I cry, He is there and listens to me. When I make a mistake, He rebukes me, but His love during the rebuke so vividly encompasses me, that I don't mind being rebuked. When I am ashamed, He lifts me up. When I feel worthless, He shows me His purpose in me. He treats me like a princess of God. When I am impatient, He asks me to just trust Him. He only reveals to me what is for my good. I trust Him with my life and don't live in fear. When I lose my temper, He reminds me of His own loving behavior on earth. He guides me where to go and what to say when I ask Him to. He provides my temporal needs. He only gives me what I can handle. When my heart is overwhelmed, He opens His arms and says "come to Me, Heather." He surrounds me all day and night long. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my absolute everything. 

This is what I have known in my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, though I know I have so much more to grow in Him, I do hope to know Him more and more sweetly as time goes on. I know it's not complicated; life in Christ is simple, and I am merely one of millions who have faithfully gone before us and have had the privilege of living in this extraordinary way under the gentle hand of our Master, Jesus Christ. With this in mind, I ask the question, what need have I for another person to "disciple" me when Jesus is discipling me every moment of every day? And please don't get me wrong, I don’t say this because I somehow think I am a better or stronger Christian than others, on the contrary, it is because I know how flawed, fleshly, and weak in faith I am that I say this...only Christ can fill that void in me and I know how needy I am to have the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Discipler. When it comes down to it, I think what I need now more than ever is to know the living Christ and continually develop my relationship with Him in a loving Discipler/disciple relationship. Only Christ can give me life, another person cannot. Yes, another person can point me to Christ and help me grow in Christ, but why pull tiny cup-fulls from the stream down the mountain when I can pull bucket-fulls straight from the powerful source of water that Christ is in heaven?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..."

Matthew 28:19-20

Besides the joy of my relationship with Jesus, I have no greater joy than bringing other people to the feet of Jesus so they too can have the liberty of what I have of being a blessed disciple of Jesus! When I read Matthew 28:19-20, my heart is filled with a desire to go out, bring people to Jesus and show them the way to Him, so they could, on their own, forsake all, take up their cross, and then follow Jesus and also be discipled by Him. To me, this is what "making a disciple" is; to share the Gospel with someone, so when they accept Jesus as their Savior and follow Him, they literally become a disciple of Jesus. And after that person becomes a Christian, then together, as co-disciples of Jesus, we can go to the feet of Jesus and learn all the wondrous things there is to learn about Him! No matter how weak or strong, how poor or rich, how different from me, how different from what society accepts, how young, how old, how impatient, or how difficult, by the grace of God I will go together with them over and over again to the feet of Jesus and learn from Him. How I love learning from Jesus with my dear brothers and sisters in Christ through the Holy Spirit. I would never try to take away a believers liberty he has in Christ, when I know how vitally important and central it has been for my spiritual growth and happiness in Him!

I have found no restrictions, no oppression, no heavy burdens, no guilt, no rules, or no regulations in the Bible, that were given to Christians to place upon other Christians. There is liberty in Christ for every single disciple of Jesus for the ultimate goal of serving God through serving one another in love (Gal 5:13), and I never want to lose sight of that. If we truly want to further His Kingdom, shouldn't we stir up that liberty in each other and not suppress it!? I am convinced that nothing could bind a church in love, unity, and spiritual strength more than by stirring up our liberty in Christ in one another. Jesus' loving and good purpose in training us is to not only form us to be like Himself, but to ultimately draw us in closer to God every day until that day we will finally be face to face with Him in eternity. Oh, be set free and don't be cast down, for there is only life and liberty in Christ!

"you are complete in Him..."
Colossians 2:10

Glorious Fall

Ah...Fall. My favorite season of the year. I literally cannot get enough of it! My sisters and I have been wandering about on the weekends trying to find the best colors displayed in our little part of the world. Whether it was the wild Sierra Nevada's graced with the presence of the gentle glowing aspen trees, Napa Valley sparkling with yellow harvest vines, majestic snow-dusted mountains towering over a hazy emerald lake, or Half Dome seeming mellow against the quiet golden meadows, they have each, in their own unique way, reminded me of a glorious character of our Lord. 

To me, absolutely nothing compares to being drawn close to the very heart of God than through His astoundingly beautiful creation. I have entirely cherished every moment. I praise and thank the Lord for the opportunities to be able to fully enjoy His wondrous creation that He has given us for our happiness. I am the happiest when I am outdoors, and as happy as that is, it doesn't even compare to the internal joy I have of being in Him! What greater joy could there be than knowing one day we'll actually be gloriously faced with our awesome Creator, where we'll be able to eternally soak in all of His glory!? Yes, earth may just be a small preview of that, but while I'm here, I'll gladly soak in as much of it as I can :) To Him be glory forever!

"Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You." 

Psalm 63:3

Lord, let me love Your will

Lord, let me love Your will when life is good. Let me love it in the times of happiness, in the times of carefree days, in the times of peace, in the times where everything is perfect, in the times of uncontrollable glee, and in the times of celebrating with family and friends! Let me always acknowledge You in the best of times, recognizing it is a gift from You to me to enjoy all the fullness of this life You've given me. Let it be when I am on those thrilling mountaintop experiences or in those lovely tranquil valleys that I am drawn closest to You, reveling in the pure elated bliss of simply knowing I am Yours.

Lord, let me love Your will when it brings me to a desert of life. Let me love it in the refining, in the testing, and in the reproving. Let me love it when You give me a way of escape to be able to bear it. While I bear it, Lord, quench my thirst, feed my hunger, fill my needs, and help me set my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Let me never forget that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. And when I have gotten through, Lord, let me love it when I can look back and see the wonderful ways You were working in me, knowing it was meant to only draw me closer to You. Lord, let me love these chances where I can present myself, a worker, humbly surrendered to You.

Lord, let me love Your will when it causes me to wait. Help me love it no matter how much time may pass.

Lord, let me love Your will when it closes the doors on my dreams. Let me love it when life comes to a standstill and I'm left bowed on my knees, in speechlessness, before You in prayer. Let me love Your will when it obliterates my plans, knocks me off the platform I've created for myself, exposes my foolish notion that I thought I was actually the master of my own future, reminds me of my fragile humanity, and refines my once-muddled vision to see You were right in front of me the whole time just asking me to simply follow You. Master, let me keep placing my dreams in Your hands where I know, fully well, You have the power to crush them or mold them to love Your will. Oh, Lord, let me always choose You, so I will always embrace Your will.

Lord, let me love Your will if You give me rags instead of riches. Let me love it when my temporal needs are great and I'm left with no where else to turn but You. Let me love it in my helpless state of incompetency that let's me see Your gracious omnipotent abilities. Let me always be thankful for what You've given me, even the old, the used, the worn out, always reminding me to keep building my treasures in heaven. Oh, Lord, let me love it when my lack of worldly goods shows me the riches I have in You! Let me love this will of Yours, because You've lovingly given it to me to test my faith like nothing else has. Let me love it when my faith in You triumphs, my trust in You is sure, and my overwhelming love for You is uncontainable.

Lord, let me love Your will when it keeps me from the ones I love. Help me love those moments, days, months, or years. Lord, let me never hold back from utterly serving You for fear of losing the ones I love, or for fear of losing my own life. Help me not be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but let me always remember You are my helper, thus, what can man really do to me? Lord, let me love You more than the ones I love.

Lord, let me love Your will when it lowers me to my knees. Let me love it in my humiliation, in my unworthiness, and in my inability. Let me love it when I've been broken, knowing You're making me whole unto Yourself. Let me love it when I am weak and You are strong. Lord, let me love it when my helpless arms are lifted up to You. Let me never forget those sweet moments when You let me know how precious I am to You, and my tears are ones of loving awe that You could first love me.

Lord, let me love Your will no matter what may come to me. Let me always love it as I do now, because I know it is what You've specifically chosen for me, and, most of all, I know it is Your good pleasure that You're working out in me. How easy, then, it is to obey when I see Your will in light of eternity! Just help me always see it in light of eternity. Please, dear God, never allow me to wag my head nor point my finger at You, but let me always remember Your loving-kindness, faithfulness, grace, mercy, and goodness You've always shown toward me and toward those, whose faith I follow, that have gone before me. Lord, let me never forget that all things work together for good, and if for my good, then all things that You will to happen to me is good. Therefore, let me love everything You will to happen to me, even if at the time it seems bad, for it is good, as Father, You are good. Lord, my life is surrendered to You, therefore, I know the choices are not mine to make, so please help me always trust and obey what You choose for me, and not only that, but Lord, let me always love what You choose...that I may dearly know Christ Jesus my Lord more and more.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights"

James 1:17

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Hope Valley, CA

"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being...Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God"

Psalm 146 

"You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word"

Psalm 119:114 

"I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more" 

Psalm 71:14

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" 

Jeremiah 29:11

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake"

Psalm 23

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork"

Psalm 19:1 

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead"

Romans 1:20 

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." 

Lamentations 3:22-26

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

-Frances R. Havergal

Seven Blessings

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." 

Revelation 1:3

"Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'" 

Revelation 14:13

"Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." 

Revelation 16:15

"Then he said to me, 'Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.'" 

Revelation 19:9

"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." 

Revelation 20:6

"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 

Revelation 22:7

"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." 

Revelation 22:14

Persevering in this spiritual warfare

Today, my soul was satisfied and my spirit was so lifted up in awe and adoration for my mighty Savior and King. How quickly time flees from us and how aware I am of the dire need to use my time wisely, while I am young, for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God.  We cannot deny we are in an intense spiritual warfare today, but how encouraging to know there is a way we can persevere through it: to have daily fellowship with God, through the full indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by walking in our human spirit. How wonderful to be lifted up to the heavenly places in fellowship with God! So often I praise and utterly thank the Lord for gifted men who faithfully teach the truth of God's Word these days. For even in this sermon, my spirit testifies to the truth of it, but I would never have been able to put it into words as he has. The teacher today just happened to be my dad :) To God be the glory...

"The Human Spirit" (Part 4) Brent Harris 9/2/12

"But you are not in the flesh but in spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His."
Romans 8:9