Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 28, 1 Corinthians 9, Ezekiel 7, John 8

Becoming a disciple and making more disciples is the great call of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes the gospel may stand for "good news" but becoming a disciple is so much more profound than just believing I can have a brighter tomorrow because now I believe in Jesus. Becoming a disciple means a complete transformation of my life and how fast that process takes place has everything to do with how much of the Word you get inside of you an dhow much of it you live out.

When it comes to the Word of God Jesus says something profound in John 8:31-32, "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him,  "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32)and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." I emphasized two words in this passage, the word "IF" and the word "ABIDE". I have always heard it said that "if" is a small word with a big meaning. The reason this is true is because it is a qualifier word. I must do something in order to get something or become something. If this than that! In this case if I abide in God's word then I am a true disciple. The word abide in this context is a powerful word as well. The word abide means to "continue, remain, dwell or even endure up under. So if I am willing to continue believing God's word and living it and enduring with it through the difficult times then I am a true disciple.

I love what He says here because he makes two things clear. First being a disciple is not always going to be easy and simplistic. Secondly not everyone will abide (continue, remain, dwell or endure up under) but rather there will be those that might here the 'good news" and begin to believe but then when difficult times come and pressure for friends and loved ones comes they will not continue to abide in God's word. I have learned that no matter how much pressure comes it is always better to abide in the Word of God.

There are two things I believe you need in order to abide in the Word of God. The first thing is really simple but it is impossible to abide in the Word of God unless you do this simple thing, READ the Word of God. To many people are proclaiming to be disciples or making disciples but yet they themselves are not even reading the word nor are they preaching the word. If you want to be a disciple and make disciple you must be READING the BIBLE. Secondly you must have endurance. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not for the faint of heart. It is for those who truly believe what they read in the Bible and are willing to live it out at all costs and this requires endurance.

My question today is, are you a disciple? Are you truly abiding in the Word of God. If you are then you will be...

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 29-30, I Corinthians 10, Ezekiel 8, John 9

Dream Big - Ben Brinkman