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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
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Last week.....
1. AN EXPLANATION AND TESTIMONY
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| 2. WHOLE OF LIFE - THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP |
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 The first and foremost principle that I have learned through this study is the need for a 'whole of life' approach to my walk with Jesus.
Jesus meant it when He said.....
Matthew 10:34-8
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 My friend Asher, in India, was rejected and separated from his Hindu family for many years, when he gave his life to Jesus.
Over the years, since committing to Jesus, I have endeavoured to take discipleship seriously, having tried, not always successfully, to 'walk the walk', not just 'talk the talk'.
Laying down our life is not easy, as Peter discovered.....
John 13:37-8
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 But eventually he did, both spiritually and literally, finally choosing crucifixion, at the Lord's request.....
IX. Peter
Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was. (Foxe's Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, [1848] Chapter 1)
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 We too are called to walk in the example of Jesus, at least spiritually, if not literally.....
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 Each and every one of us is called to a life of discipleship, of giving Jesus our all. If we are ever going to impress the Jews (or the Muslims) of the Saviour-ship of Jesus, we will have to witness with our lives, not just our words.
Muslims, for example, see the Western world as 'Christian', with our church, government, moral behaviour, etc., viewed as all being parts of the one whole-of-life entity. Naturally, they are not impressed with what they see!
Western society takes an opposite viewpoint, with the separation of the various elements of life. This has infiltrated our church thinking, so we promote the mental assent of the 'Sinners Prayer' as being sufficient to obtain salvation.
Looking at Jesus' life and culture, this is patently wrong. Unless our life reflects our verbal commitment, we are not truly Jesus followers. Believing may or may not get us into heaven by the 'skin of our teeth', but it certainly is not the 100% sold out commitment that Jesus requires.
Sets one thinking, doesn't it?
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... as we continue with summarizing what we have learned.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 This week again highlights the need for us to live a wholly dedicated life to Jesus. 'Easy Christianity', simply reciting the non-biblical 'sinners prayer' is not enough to bring us into the kingdom.
Amen.
THE KIWI
New Zealand is a country with very few native animals. Which is most surprising when you consider that we now have 40 million sheep and 6 million cattle amongst just 4 million people! We are also one of the few countries that has no snakes and only 1 killer spider which lives in places you would not normally go.
This absence of animals meant that birdlife was very strong, and we have some unique birds here.
The most famous is the 30cm (1 foot tall) Kiwi, our national symbol. Hence why New Zealanders are known as 'kiwis'.
The kiwi is hard to find, as it is nocturnal, almost blind, shy and flightless. It has its nose on the end of its long beak, and survives by digging up grubs from the soil. It also has the largest egg in relation to its size of any bird in the world! Each weighs up to 20% of the bird's bodyweight! And they normally produce 2 at a time! Some feat for the ladies! The males do give her a rest by sitting on the eggs though! We men get it easy, don't we?
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
879. A disciple turns words into actions.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Pets Rule!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/pets.php
The World's Greatest Groans: http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php
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Summarised in the next verse.....