2011

After reading the book, Radical, I have come to understand the idea of discipleship a little better. You see, David Platt, the author of Radical explains how in today's Christian culture, we tend to go to church with a mindset of receiving. I know I have for years. But the real need is for us to attend with the motivation to reproduce. Receiving the Word spoken is beneficial to me, but reproducing the Word spoken is beneficial to others and helps promote discipleship. Today, I have chosen to reproduce the Word I received last night at Strong Tower New Year's Eve service.

Pastor Miracle made the following thought provoking points:

1. The secular world doesn't think much about the church and we (the church) have given them every reason to think this way.
Why? you ask. Because we (the church) have been so self consumed that we do not put the needs of others before our own, but are focused every day for ourselves. We have been living day to day in survival mode. We have a spiritual struggle just to get in our Word, to pray, and to reject temptation. The focus on self denotes a problem within - this problem hinders my (and your) ability to disciple others, to share Christ with them, and to be a Light to the hurting in my community. This focus on self moves me into a spiritually dry place in my life because I am neglecting what I am designed to do. I will be complacent, discontent and restless.

2. We the Body of Christ must go back and seek out the old paths.

Jeremiah 6:16 sates:

"This is what the LORD says:

'Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.

Today's world is full of hopeless, hurting people. Every day people are leaving this Earth without Jesus and we the Body of Christ are designed to do something about it. Jesus left us on Earth to do a work in the world and He left us with the help of the Holy Spirit. I as a Christian am on this planet today to bear witness to the Light of Life. When I seek and fulfill what I am designed to do, I will find rest for my soul. Jesus has commissioned me, as part of His body, to compel others into His Kingdom.

3. There needs to be a move of God in our individual lives.
I must seek a heart of flesh. My heart must be pliable, soft, and tender. If I do not have compassion and a love for God's creation then I am going to find it difficult to reach out to them. Seeking God's heart must be a priority in my life. I must also understand that revival in my life is something I must overtake. The woman with the issue of blood overcame Jesus and received her healing. She went to Jesus, much like I must go after Him; hungry and thirsty. My passion for Christ must be alive! Without passion, I am just another monotonous voice.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how restless are you? Do you find yourself struggling within, asking God questions, seeking out answers that never seem to be found? Have you forgotten the purpose for which you were saved? If so, seek out the old paths and find rest for your soul.