Chosen for God's Purpose

What makes you burn? Passion. What images strike your mind when you hear that word? Is it the intense pull to excel in a certain hobby or talent? Is it an emotion that arises in human relationship? Is it the driving force behind what you achieve- what you do? By definition, passion is “the state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited”. This is often expressed in emotional forms- passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, fear, etc. For the disciples of Jesus, every one of these emotions raised their heads during the three years he walked with them on earth, and every day of their lives after His ascension. We see Peter rise up in anger against the Roman guards to defend the Lord, but we also see him cower in fear before the crowds, denying he even knew Jesus. We see James and John vie for posit...

Are you becoming an imitator of Christ, or merely just another follower? True Discipleship - Becoming Imitators of Christ What is a disciple? The common definition is “student” or “follower”. The Greek word mathetes translates as “disciple” , and the NAS Topical Index goes on to state that a deeper meaning is “adherent” or “apprentice”- this is someone who sits under the intense training and watchful eye of a master.  Their whole intent and purpose is to learn to imitate the person they are serving under. I believe that the term “disciple” has taken on a light context in our culture. Not that this blase  approach did not exist in Jesus day as well; there were many people who followed Jesus temporarily, until the going got too rough. These fair-weather followers were quick to jump ship when they felt the heat, when Jesus’ words struck too close to home, and when they were asked to give up more than they were willing to lay down. These were people who simply ...

Where are you abiding (Psalm 91)? Dwell – Abide – these are words with permanence. When we read Scripture, particularly Psalm 91, we see that the Lord did not use terms for “passing through” or “momentarily pausing” in His presence. He uses words with staying power. In the opening verses of Psalm 91, the writer is speaking of someone who finds permanence in God’s presence…in the safe keeping of His shadow, in the secret place with Him. He uses two words, one right after another "He who dwells in the shelter of the most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty". But these are promises with a condition- it is He who DWELLS in the secret place of the most High, that shall ABIDE in the shadow of the Almighty. If we really want to abide with the Lord, we must dwell with Him in the secret places- in the times of prayer and contemplation that draw us closer to Him. The person who does this can truly say that the Lord has become their refuge and fortress...