discipleship

Disciple-less Christianity

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Matthew 28:18-20

What is the difference between being a Christian and a disciple of Jesus?

Why are there Christians who accept the teachings of Jesus, but lack the power of the Spirit in their lives?

Why is the Church declining in the developed countries of the world today? Whereas in the third-world domains, Christianity is growing.

Somewhere the western Church has lost their way.

To clarify definitions, the Church are the people, not the buildings. Discipleship is the process of being spiritually train for Kingdom impact. This process is Spirit led from the inside-out. The goal is to be shaped into the character of Jesus.

The faith institutions provide the leadership for their respective members. Why are they not held accountable for the condition of the Church today? The majority of established Church communities have lost membership these last thirty years. Many of these churches are at the end of their life expectancy.

When did the Church stop growing?

Could it be when leadership began to water down the cost of discipleship? Instead of providing a path of being a disciple of Jesus, they lowered the bar. They switched goals. They made it easier for people to become members of their faith community.

One now can become a member of the Christian community without being a disciple. In a sense, one could practice Jesus’ teachings without committing to HIM. People now confuse living within a Christian culture is all that is needed to be a disciple. Instead of majoring in the most important mission of the Church, they get lost in activities.

The Church began to focus on social programs to signal their virtue. These programs took energy and resources away from a pathway to discipleship. Discipleship programs became the minor activities of the Church. Though they have remained on the docket, the content contains introductory material. Instead of training and maturing disciples, the courses repeat grade school material. If one wants graduate work, one is on their own.

Thus today, one can be labelled a Christian. They could be a member of a faith community. But they may not even have a relationship with Father-Son-Spirit. Membership allows one to maintained the outer form of service, yet ignore the inner practice of becoming more Christlike in their everyday routine. Members may have a form of religion, but lack the power of God in their lives.

So, if you want more from life than play church, commit to being a disciple of HIS. Ask Jesus to make you a full-time disciple of HIS. Ask HIM to show you how to be a follower of HIS within your home, marketplace, and community. Ask HIM to lead you to people who are likewise hungry for more of HIM. Allow HIS Spirit to enter your heart and mind. Seek HIS Kingdom to govern yourself and others. Become a theologian yourself. Study HIS Word. Learn to dance with HIM in your everyday routine. Let HIM be your #1 partner at work, at home, and play. Focus on building a walking relationship with HIM. Otherwise, who are you going to become? A Disciple-less Christian? Or a Disciple of HIS?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Culture is Not Your Friend

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

James 4:4

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Culture is a collection of norms, values, and ideas. Their byproduct are the attitudes, behavior, and beliefs of human thought. Every social group consisting of two or more people produces a cultural impact. Families, organizations, and communities all share in the development of the culture you live in.

Typically, cultures are largely shaped by those with the most influential platforms. In the middle-ages churches and Kings carried the most weight. Today, governments and media play the largest role in influencing the culture around you. Governments influence society through their policies. Business, news outlets, and social platforms distribute images and words to capture your attention.

Their purpose is to persuade you. To make you think the way they want you too. Their intent is to increase monetary gain, political power, or influence over you to assist them in their bidding. They are most often not interested in helping you to succeed in life.

Culture is not you friend. But the noise machine to distract you from living your God-given potential. The sooner you realize this, the better off you will be.

Your best Friend is Jesus. Whether you have accepted and reciprocated His Friendship, or not. He has already demonstrated He cares for you by His life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. His macro-purpose for you is to prepare you for eternity. In the process, He will let you taste eternal food now and share a way of life which deep inside you want.

The culture around you sells you the facade. The image. Jesus gives you the substance behind the image. The real thing.

When His Spirit enters you, you experience life the way He intended humanity to live from day one. But us humans are more influenced by the shining fruit on the outside rather than the inner character that leads to the abundant life. That is what culture sells you. The shining image without the character substance. God provides you with the character to lead a with-God life.

He gives you a life of romance and adventure that us humans seek. The walk is with Him. Culture distracts you from Him. Culture allows you to destroy yourself by pursuing their gods. Culture is interested only what you have to give it. Jesus wants to share His life with you and you share your life with Him. He wants to dance with you around the earth. He wants you to learn His ways. He wants you to live within the culture of His Kingdom. When He is the central core of your life, the world’s culture is one loud noise machine.

His culture gives you peace and grace. You experience real love and joy. He isn’t looking to rob you of anything. But cloth you with the abundant life He knows what is best for you.

So turn off the culture monitor. Then take time to look and listen at the #1 Influencer of ALL time – Jesus Christ. Grow in His knowledge and grace. He will become your best Friend on planet earth. Your only wish thereafter is why didn’t you get started earlier.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Sacrifice, Suffering, Service

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Hebrews 10:39

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Jesus Christ is our reference point. As Christ-followers we study HIS life and learn to live life as HE did. Though each of us have unique personalities along with different sets of DNA, we collectively gravitate towards HIS  values and macro-purpose.

His teachings pierced the humanistic approach toward life. His attitude, mannerism, and behavior clashed with the authorities of that time. His worldview opened the eyes of the common people to capture God’s vision.

Unbridled human nature longs for more portions, power, and pleasure. Yet Jesus came along and demonstrated the value of sacrifice, suffering, and service. Which is more commercially or politically attractive to you?

If we are honest, our inclination is to want more, thinking these items will please our internal desire. Yet when one directs their life towards altruistic sacrifice, suffering, and service, the outcome is a more Christlike spirit touching your heart while impacting others for HIS glory. The abundant life Jesus taught his disciples becomes a reality in your world when you follow HIM.

Sacrifice is an attribute of the good life. To sacrifice means you are the master of your possessions. Money, time or any other physical item doesn’t control you and longer. Yes, it may hurt at first as you battle your inner demons. But as you let go and give to another from your plenty, they benefit by your action, and so do you. Jesus demonstrated his entire life the value of sacrificing for others. He left eternity to become finite. He was tempted at the beginning of his ministry to immediately pursue political, religious, and economic power for himself. But declined the offer to fulfill his divine purpose laid out from the beginning of time. And of course, he gave up his life to pay the ransom for humanity. Love is sacrificial.

Suffering unmasks our humanity. When comfort turns into pain, we rebel. We shy away from those who suffer because of the awkwardness. Some may run away because of the insecure inability to solve the problem. Yet, most of the time people don’t want your advice or solution but a concern ear. Personal suffering introduces us to a small taste of the pain Jesus went through on Calvary. When someone removes our pain and accepts to carry it  in our place, real love is demonstrated. Suffering reminds us of King Jesus’ sacrificial love in HIS ultimate action of redeeming humanity from the powers of evil.

Service belittles power. Power operates from a position of influential fear. But perfect love casts out fear (1 Jn. 4:18). When one serves from a position of love, one breaks down walls of injustice, hatred, and envy. To serve others is the highest calling within the Kingdom of God. In God’s government, its citizens serve one another out of respect and humility. Jesus demonstrated over and over again that he came to serve others and not lord over them. His heart was always to uplift others and help them draw closer to his Father in heaven. When others asked for help, he did. If unable, he explained the reason why. In most cases HE didn’t have permission from HIS Father to make happen. Service is love in action.

Welcome to sainthood. The anti-cultural way of experiencing the abundant life to the fullest. Yes, sacrifice, suffering, and service are the hallmarks of Christ-followers. Our carnal nature despises such a path. But the Divinity that lives within us magnifies such an approach. When we allow HIM to lead us through the jungles of life, His character and ways rub off on us. Overtime, we become more and more like him. One day, we will be like HIM in character. We will behold HIM in full glory with our own eyes in the eternal home. Yes, HE is now preparing you and I for eternity.  Until then, practice.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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