Becoming Jesus' Disciple

BECOMING JESUS’ DISCIPLE

Eleventh of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Matthew 28:18-20:  “Then Jesus came to them [eleven disciples, after Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ death and resurrection] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

            God’s bottom line for His kids is NOT salvation.

 

            Apostle Paul learned that and wrote in Philippians 2:12b, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

            Salvation and sanctification are lifelong journeys.

             Jesus commands that all be baptized.  We rise from the water a new creation to follow Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Many Christian churches confirm young adults or provide instruction for people to learn why spiritual growth, or sanctification, [SANK-tif-i-ka-shon] is vital.  “Working out salvation with fear and trembling” is serious business.  We learn God’s Ten Commandments and memorize creeds that affirm our belief in the Father, His Son, and His Spirit.  Speaking these creeds aloud proclaim our belief publically. 

            But being saved, baptized, sanctified and confirmed isn’t God’s bottom line for His kids.

            What IS God’s bottom line for His kids? 

            God wants His kids to become disciples.  After accepting Jesus’ offer of forgiveness of sin that He suffered, bled and died on the cross to achieve, we enjoy being adopted into God’s family.  We’re grateful for His Spirit who lives inside all Christians so that we grow into Christ-likeness. 

  

            Sure, God created people in His image so that we could have a relationship with Him.  Of course, God looks forward to our sharing eternity together face-to-face in heaven.  Naturally, God loves to watch His church grow and enjoys our fellowship with other Believers. 

            God’s bottom line is that we become like Jesus. 

            Just like Aristotle became Plato’s disciple (see Jesus’ Double devotion), every Christian should become Jesus’ disciple.  Becoming Jesus’ disciple is our purpose on earth.  That is both our Father’s and Jesus’ bottom line.

            Apostle Paul taught that working out salvation with fear and trembling is the single activity that grows Christians from infancy to spiritual maturity.  Disciples bring every part of their lives under the LORDship of Jesus Christ … THEN teach others to do the same! 

            See the lesson linked below to learn more about being Jesus’ disciple.

Take Home Nugget

            God’s bottom line transforms His kids from learning to doing.  This fulfills Jesus’ “Great Commission” command from the opening Scripture. 

Holy Father, Enable me, Your instrument, to attract others to Your Son, my LORD Jesus—in whose name I pray, Amen. 

Adapted from a devotion by Dr. Tony Evans.  February 16, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com

J.D. Griffith

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 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

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Jesus' Double

JESUS’ DOUBLE

Tenth of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Matthew 10:24a:  “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for the student to be like his teacher.”

            Plato is tagged with the label, the “Father of philosophy [fil-os-o-fee].   He lived a relatively short life around 420-447, B.C.E. in Athens, Greece.  Plato taught topics related to the meaning of life.  His writings shaped Western-culture thinking.  Plato’s best student was Aristotle [AR-is-TOT-l].  Aristotle became Plato’s disciple—or who learned then taught life concerns—that he learned from Plato.

 

            Aristotle embraced Plato’s values and viewpoints, attitudes and ideas.  He built “gymnasiums”.  The original gymnasiums [jim-NAAZ-i-ums] were training centers where Aristotle taught Plato’s thinking and logic.  The first gymnasiums were places of learning instead of where sports were taught and competitions played.

            Aristotelian logic is the system of thinking that Aristotle passed on to students in “Plato’s teaching” gymnasiums.  The fun part to learn is that students trained in Plato’s system of beliefs were “gymnatized”.  [Jim-NAT-i-zed] is the Greek verb that stems from the noun gymnasium. 

            This learning system became successful to “disciple” others.  So the Greeks passed on their thinking (and language) to people who were not Greek.  The cultural movement was termed “Hellenization” [hel-len-i-ZA-shon].  The whole Greco-Roman world adapted Plato’s Aristotelian logic. 

            Later, gymnasiums became known as academies [a-KAD-a-mees]—or central places for learning—like universities and colleges. 

            That is the evolution of the word, “disciple”.  The Bible’s New Testament added a spiritual perspective to teach what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  Christians today are also called to be disciples of Jesus.  See the lesson linked below to see how the world treats Jesus and His followers.

            Discipleship involves “discipline”.  Christians deny themselves what sins the world—or what the flesh—tempts people to enjoy.  We’re students who are works-in-progress.  Learning the teachings of Jesus transforms people to love others and for humble service.  Following Jesus changes a person’s values more than Plato shaped Western culture. 

            We recognize patterns of Christian thought and living.  We understand the difference between being in the world from being of the world (John 17:16).  Believers-in-Christ are new creations who live for God instead of for selfish ambition (2 Corinthians 5:17).

            Disciples follow and stand beside Master Jesus learning His trade thoroughly. 

Take Home Nugget

            Modern-day use of what this devotion aims to teach is that closely following Jesus makes us clones.  [Klones] are exact replicas of the original.  We’re Christians whose identity is often mistaken for the real thing. 

Holy Father, teach me how to be Jesus’ disciple, in Whose name I pray.  Help me to follow Jesus closely.  Fill me with Your love and what You want.  Amen. 

Adapted from a devotion by Dr. Tony Evans.  February 19, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com

J.D. Griffith

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here      

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

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Inspired by Righteous Appreciation

INSPIRED BY RIGHTEOUS APPRECIATION

Ninth of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Ecclesiastes 12: 13: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

            Believers-in-Christ are free.  Jesus brought God’s new covenant of grace so that people are set free from obeying God’s Law.  Aren’t we grateful for that freedom?  No person (except Jesus, God’s Son) successfully obeyed God’s Law perfectly.  Jesus could only keep His Father’s Law because He IS God! 

            It is only from our faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross that we are forgiven, aligned with, adopted as God’s, and offered eternal life. 

            Righteous appreciation stops short of people’s obligation to keep God’s commandments, His Law.  God NEVER begged His kids to obey the Ten Commandments.  (That’s the whole purpose of God gifting people free will).  See the lesson linked below to learn how Moses received those Ten Commandments that God wrote on two chiseled stone tablets and what happened to them. 

            If we want to claim God’s authority and power to achieve victory over our circumstances, then we must align our personal lives accordingly.  The Bible teaches truths for us to copy for a victorious living.  We either choose victory over our circumstances or allow our circumstances to reign over us.  Victory ought to be all the inspiration we need.  

            We can imagine Jesus’ eye roll at one Pharisee who was an “expert” in God’s Law.  He tested Jesus in Matthew 22:26: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

            Matthew 22:27 says that Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

            In John 13:34, Jesus added, “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  

      

Take Home Nugget

            The opening Scripture is Solomon’s teaching that no one attends seminary to learn.  It applies to every person.  When we obey this one specific instruction—it ought to inspire obedience—because the righteous know that the unrighteous live in fear of judgment! 

            God’s kids appreciate God’s grace.  It’s only by grace that we’re righteous.  It’s only by grace that we’re here.  What is the connection between your obedience to God and His grace? 

  

Holy Father, Your commands challenge me to obey.  My obedience is the only way that I can demonstrate, or show appreciation for the grace that You bless me. Thank You for sending Jesus!  Thank You for the freedom that allows me to live by Your grace.  Amen.

 

Adapted from “Our Motivation” by Dr. Tony Evans.  January 23, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Inspired by Righteous Appreciation

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Righteousness Reign Eternal

RIGHTEOUSNESS REIGNS ETERNAL

Eighth of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Romans 5:17:  “For if, by the trespass of the one man [Adam], death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”

            Worshipping in God’s house doesn’t make people righteous.  Swearing and sinning throughout the week don’t make these same people unrighteous (wicked, bad, or unholy).  While disobedience and sin are grave matters (for real—they are evidence of eternal death)—Believers-in-Christ are covered in eternal righteousness.  Righteousness comes only from faith in Jesus—who is the evidence of eternal life!

            The opening Scripture shows that no one is born righteous and no one ever earns righteousness.

            People sin.  Yet, Believers never need to be re-righteous-ed.  We’re established, or rooted in righteousness.  Righteousness is our foundation.  Our heavenly Father verifies that His kids are righteous because of our faith in His Son Jesus.  This faith also won our adoption into God’s family.

            Faith and free will are God’s gift.  Those who choose Jesus also choose eternal life on purpose.  Those who choose eternal life also chooses to be rooted in righteousness on purpose.  This choice calls God’s Spirit to live inside us. 

            Jesus’ advice to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well,” in Matthew 6:33, begins with God’s rule.  His Spirit leads Believers to obey or yield to our King Jesus’ rule.

            This circle agrees with the previous devotion “It’s That Simple.” 

            This devotion strives to assure Believers that God’s righteousness is already established in whomever believes in Jesus as LORD and Savior.

Take Home Nugget

            “It’s That Simple” showed how Believers remain mindful Who reigns over our lives.  King Jesus rules and reminds us that we are rooted in righteousness.  Of course, friends, siblings, parents, and even strangers point out sin in our lives.  The devil laughs when reminding us of sin, then accuses us that we’re no good.

            When the devil dances on our hearts is the perfect time to confess.  We confess sin to God.  Then we also spit in the devil’s eyes by reminding him that we’re established in righteousness.  We dance while confessing, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!”  (See the lesson, linked below).

            This glorious victory over the devil reigns over our sin.  The righteousness of God in Christ reigns over bad habits.  Righteousness reigns eternal in Believers’ lives bringing victory! 

Holy, reigning Father, thank You for reminding me whose I am and that I’m established in Your righteousness by faith in Your Son, my LORD Jesus Christ!  Amen.

Adapted from “Everlasting Righteousness” by Joseph Prince. February 05, 2018.  Check out www.josephprince.org.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Righteousness Reigns Eternal

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

It's That Simple

IT’S THAT SIMPLE

Seventh of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Psalm 25:5:   “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior; and my hope is in You all day long.”

            What does Jesus mean when He says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” in Matthew 6:33?  See lesson linked below for what “these things” include.

            Kingdom kids choose Yahweh as “most important” in our lives.  Jesus teaches how we’re to reason about Him, as well.  Seeking His kingdom first acknowledges that the Father is our rightful King.  This means that God is authorized to rule our lives—EVERY area of our lives.  No place is “off limits” for God’s rule.

 

            Righteousness is God’s standard.  “Righteous” describes Himself, Jesus, and every one of His kids.  2 Corinthians 5:21 explains how Believers-in-Christ are made righteous: “God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we [Believers] might become the righteousness of God. 

            So, Kingdom kids follow the rules of how our King governs lives.  We line up under Jesus’ shed-blood covenant of grace that bought us forgiveness of sin.  We even acknowledge that trials are divine discipline intended to drive us back into His loving embrace.  God’s discipline acknowledges us as truly His (Hebrews 12:8).

            Hebrews 12:10b, 11b teaches, “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. … Later [after learning from discipline], it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

            It’s really that simple.  Our King rules Believers with authority in every area of our lives.  We remain aware of our “righteousness” all day.  Kingdom kids live righteously obeying God’s Spirit—purposefully—from the moment we awake until we fall asleep.  Each new day repeats our awareness of God’s rule and righteous living. 

             

Take Home Nugget

            Without a “righteous awareness” standard, people wander aimlessly searching for … whatever.  Support of the King is missing.  Those people wander aimlessly and can never depend on anything.

            Whoever played baseball knows that touching first base proceeds running the diamond.  Touching first base is a must before passing second and third bases so that landing on home plate counts as a score.  Missing first base totally invalidates the score.

              Kingdom living assigns God’s rule and His righteousness as #1 in His kid’s lives.  Living abundantly is really that simple to cross home plate and enter eternal life.

Holy Father, I never want to be on my own!  Take Your rightful place as King in my life.  For my life is only worthwhile when Your kingdom and righteousness take first place!  Amen.

Adapted from a Kingdom Living devotion by Dr. Tony Evans.  February 06, 2018.  Check out The Urban Alternative at www.LightSource.com. 

 J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for It’s That Simple 

 For a personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Crooked Made Straight

CROOKED MADE STRAIGHT

Sixth of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Isaiah 33:22: “For the LORD is our judge, and the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is He who will save us.”

            “I don’t know what to do!” twelve-year-old Jeremy wailed.

      

            “What seems to be your problem?” classmate Brad asked.

            “I signed up for summer classes and haven’t gotten confirmation,” Jeremy explained.

            Sometimes life takes a left turn when we steer straight or want to veer right.  Through no fault of our own, weird stuff happens and we’re left scratching our heads wondering what went wrong.  Yahweh is in control and He’s where we need to focus our attention.  The B-I-B-L-E is Believers’ book of instruction before leaving earth.  While God’s Word doesn’t list subject topics with page numbers for reference (a glossary), it does contain important imperatives.

            Imperatives are necessary requirements that rule our lives.  Imperatives are necessary so that our steering (or walk) stays straight.

            Brad suggested, “Here is a blank sheet of paper.  Draw a line from left to right, Jeremy.”

            Jeremy drew a line across the paper.

            “See this?” Brad pointed to a dip in the line.

            “Yeah, well, my line is almost straight.”

            Brad continued, “That’s the point.  If God isn’t calling the shots, our line (or walk) isn’t straight.”

            Brad’s correct.  When we draw a line using a ruler, the line doesn’t take a dip.  A line drawn with a ruler is never crooked.  But whenever people try living on our own without the standard—or rule of Biblical authority—we cannot maintain a straight path.

 

            Jeremy smiled, “I got it.  Thanks, Brad.”

            Check out the lesson linked below that contrasts straight to crooked lives.

   

            Christians who decide that God is #1 in our lives, His authority rules.  Lives are unpredictable.  Things constantly interrupt and distract people, forcing our attention away from focusing straight ahead.  Those dips and bends often cause left turns when we intend on heading straight or veering right.  Face the fact: people are the most unpredictable variables that impact our lives.   

                      

Take Home Nugget

            Yahweh’s Word is the only authority that enables us to walk a straight line in our lives.  Like Jeremy, most Believers-in-Christ think that it’s okay to head straight ahead and assume that we’re steadily on the right path.

            “Why summer school, Jeremy?” Brad wanted to know.

            Jeremy blushed red before admitting, “Remember Natalee?  Um, she’s going to try out to twirl a baton.  I can join the marching unit to play drums in the band!”

Holy Father, keep my eyes on You as #1 in my life so that You steer me straight on the path You placed me to walk.  Help me in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Adapted from a Kingdom Living devotion by Dr. Tony Evans.  January 29, 2018.  Check out The Urban Alternative at www.LightSource.com. 

 J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Crooked Made Straight

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers