Discipleship

I believe we have lost the art of discipleship though now days people may us the word mentoring. Now days you don't often hear the word discipleship or find it in the dictionary as its own entry. The definition of discipleship is "the state of a disciple or follower in doctines and precepts." What is a disciple? "a learner; one who receives instruction from another." As we see the decline in today's society, our churches need to got back to one on one discipleship. We are losing people to the world because they are not getting the grounding in the Bible like they need. Because of that and the loss of what a true family is, we are seeing our world go down the drain. We need to have one on one discipleship to help people understand and put into practice what the Bible teaches. However, I believe, because of where the family is at today, that teaching has to go beyond teaching the truths about the Bible but include the basics of life. There are many girls & women who have no clue how to take care of a household and men who don't know how to change oil on the family car or do upkeep on their homes. I believe these are lost skills that need to be taught. Looking at scripture, I find this to be biblical. We see in 1 Tim. 1:2 & 2 Tim. 1:2 that Paul calls Timothy his son or son in the faith. It leads one to believe that Paul was involved in bringing Timothy to a personal relationship with the Lord. In Acts 16, we find that Timothy goes with Paul as he journeys. What a wonderful way to learn, by watching & doing! In Titus 2:3-5, it states that the older women are suppose to teach the younger women. These verses touch on not only Biblical teaching but teaching them to be keepers of the home, too. This can be done so well in a home where you have a believing father & mother. However, in today's society, there is fewer & fewer of these homes. The church body needs to pick up the slack and reach out to disciple those who don't have anyone in their life doing this. This is something that is lacking not only in Children's lives but many adults who didn't have the opportunity to learn from their parents for whatever reason.

Comfort vs. Peace

As I ponder upon comfort and peace, I turn my eyes toward the Lord wondering what He would have to say. Is comfort Biblical? How about peace? I honestly believe that we should have peace in our lives because of the Lord Jesus Christ, but comfort? When I think of being comfortable, I think of sitting back and relaxing and being content with where I am at. I'm not sure that is necessarily Biblical. If we get to comfortable with where we are at, are we going to grow in our relationship with the Lord. I don't think we are very apt to grow. I believe we will begin to rely upon ourself instead of relying on the Lord for our ever need. An earthly example of this would be if we are cuddled down under a nice warm featherbed. If we are comfy and warm, we aren't likely to get up and stoke the wood burner that heats our house. Why should we, we're warm. I think the same can be true with our Lord. If we are all cozy with the way life is going, aren't we more apt to depend upon ourself instead of Him. We like to be comfortable but that isn't always best. As for me, I have seen that when I am comfortable, I am not nearly as apt to turn to the Lord in the little daily things of life like He wants. I can, also, look back to see that when I have been put in uncomfortable situations, I am much more apt to turn to the Lord for even the little things. I don't think any of us like it when we are uncomfortable but praise the Lord if we grow in Him through our discomfort. As much as I prefer to be comfortable, I am so thankful for those times of discomfort knowing that I am more likely to grow in the Lord. Now this said, in
II Cor. 1:3, Acts 9:31, & Psalms, it speaks of God being our comfort. When I think of it in that mind set, I think of being more at peace. I want and should be at peace with the Lord. To me that means I will be trusting God in all that is happening in life whether that is good or bad, big or small. I need to stay focused upon Him and continue to allow Him to grow and stretch me in my daily walk with Him. I should be rejoicing when I feel that I am being stretched from my comfort zone knowing that God is doing a work in my life.

Contentment

This has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I am guessing that would be because Christmas is upon us, and I am hearing a lot of "I want". Now, we all like it when people want what we give them but does that mean we need to go around continually saying "I want". I realize that it is mainly the kids that are doing that, but what is in your heart. Are you content? Are you wishing for something but not verbalizing it only because it wouldn't be the "right" way to act? Are things really what are important in this world. What is it to be content? The 1828 Noah Webster dictionary say that as a noun it means: Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implyintg a moderate degree of happiness. Philippians 4:11; I Timothy 6:6; & Hebrews 13:5 all speak on being content. Philippians gives us an example from Paul that explains that we can learn to be content. It doesn't matter where we are at in life or what we have. We can still be content. I Timothy reminds us the we can't take anything with us when we die so there really is no gain for wanting more. Hebrews reminds us that God will always be with us. How could we desire anything more than that! God is so gracious. He is always watching out for us and wants only the best for us. Why do we want to look anywhere else but towards Him for all our needs (or even desires)? It is so easy to get caught up in the world's game of having to have the best or needing more than the next person. However, does that ever bring anyone true happiness. I think not. It may bring a temporary happiness like a 2 yr. old with a new toy, but soon just like that 2 yr. old, the joy is gone from that earthly thing that we thought would make our life so much better. Only God can give us true happiness. If we focus on Him, we can be truly content which will bring true happiness.

Loneliness

Loneliness - what is it? According to the 1828 Noah Webster dictionary loneliness is a noun meaning Solitude; retirement; seclusion from company. That definition leads me to believe that loneliness isn't a bad thing. However, I believe, often times we put a spin on it thinking that it is a bad thing. According to the Old Testament in Leviticus 20:24 and Leviticus 20:26 and the New Testament in Romans 8:35-39 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, loneliness can be a good thing when we are looking at it from a earthly viewpoint. Psalms 139 states that we are never truly alone as God is always with us. As humans we tend to want someone we can physically see. I believe the Lord created us to need humans. However, I, also, believe that often thimes when we are feeling lonely, it is because we are feeling sorry for ourself which is not of God. God desires to comfort us and be there for us if only we allow Him to be. We need to make sure to continue in His presence daily, and in todays world it is easy to push God aside until a time of crisis. We need to take time apart from others and spend time in God's presence without the distractions of the world.