What Shall We Say?

 I have been labeled as a non-conformist when it comes to bowing to the demands of government mandates. After the past few years of hearing, I need to comply, take the shot, wear a mask, and avoid being in large crowds. I am more determined than ever to resist the control of choices in life from a group of people who do not have my best interest. I am hearing that these manipulators again want masks, booster shots, and lockdowns to take place. My answer is NO, NEVER!

I would think that after seeing the large number of people who "died suddenly" after taking the shot, the large number of heart and cancer increases in those who took the shot, you might question the safety of the shot.

If the American people would show a little backbone and say no to those trying to control us, we could stop the fear-mongering and get back to everyday life. 

You may think this is too hard, but it is not. Because once you have made it clear to them that you will no longer go along, once you've let them know, they cannot scare you anymore. Because as long as you fear what they might do if you don't comply, they have power over you. Take the control away from them! Say no. Once you do that, they don't have power over you anymore. You will feel so free. Say no. People, we are in a spiritual war, and your soul is at stake. This war is against the Synagogue of Satan and his followers. The lies and deceit you hear daily are hatched from the very pits of Hell.

Jesus has warned us to beware of being deceived. We must know the truth and stop the fear being peddled by the MSM and government. Once we have overcome the fear of noncompliance, they will no longer have power over us.

Beware, there will be even those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ who will tell you to comply with the mandates and rules that violate your freedom. You will be accused of being unloving, rebellious, and even unChrist-like in your defiance of the accepted behavior of society. Remember that the deceit and lies will be how Satan gains control and dominates the world. Do not fall for the lies being told to manipulate and control your life.

Stand fast in the liberty given to you by Jesus Christ.

Being A Disciple of Christ Jesus

 At the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, he commissioned his followers to carry on his work – making disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). This commissioning was not just for the eleven disciples or his more extensive followers. It is given to his church. It is our responsibility today to make disciples of all nations. But just what is a disciple?

It is essential to know just what we are commissioned to produce. Without that knowledge, how can we know if we are faithful to his commission?

What Is a Disciple?

The word used in the New Testament for disciple is mathētēs. (mah-ta-tas) This word means learner disciple and is a technical term for the followers of Jesus. It is also used for the followers of John the Baptist, Moses, and the Pharisees.

In the New Testament world, a disciple would join themselves to a rabbi or teacher, becoming a part of his school. This involved leaving behind their known life and spending all their time with their rabbi. It was like going off to college.

What you see in Jesus and his disciples was typical of the rabbi/disciple relationship in New Testament Judea. Being a disciple was a full-time occupation. Those disciples were called to leave home and occupation behind and follow Jesus, learning what he had to teach them.

Being a disciple was not an end in itself. A disciple was ultimately expected to follow in their rabbi's footsteps, becoming a rabbi himself. And, in turn, teaching other disciples what they had learned and were learning.

Many who call themselves Christians are not a disciple but a fan of Christianity.

A fan sits on the sideline and cheers on their team. They may invest some time in learning about their team. And they may invest in purchasing some of the appropriate swag so that they can fly the team colors. But the fan watches the performance from the stands or the game on TV. But they do not get directly involved. And if their team disappoints them, they may switch their allegiance to one they find more satisfying.

A fan may know a lot about their team and its members. They can rattle off team and player stats. They may have detailed opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of team members. And they enjoy discussing the recent game and player performance with other fans.

A player on that sports team is quite different, though. The team and game are their life. They spend time in conditioning, learning the playbook, and in practice. On game day, they are down on the field, executing the plays drawn up for them by their coach. They each have their part to play in the game, and each one is important to the outcome. Unlike the fan who sits and watches, the team player is actively involved in the game.

Many so-called Christians are no more than secular humanists. So you go to church to learn, to feel like you're part of a community, to be entertained, or to get a feeling of worship. If your church doesn't sufficiently fill these needs, or it does, but getting up on Sunday morning is just too much of a cost for the benefit, then you either drop out or fall into the ever-prevalent pattern of a "church visitor." This is the culture of the consumer church and, much like consumerism, comes out of a culture of humanism that places a high value on self-gratification. 

The Call to Discipleship

Jesus called twelve men to follow him and be his disciples. They did not just cheer Jesus on in the work he did. These men left behind their nets, tax booth, and whatever else they had done before, and they got involved in the game, following Jesus wherever he went and learning all he had to teach them. And, in the end, he told them to make disciples.

So, were these twelve men unique as disciples? Their specific calling to travel with Jesus and establish the church was special. But their call to be disciples was not.

In the Great Commission, we are told to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey Jesus' commands (Matt. 28:19-20). We often mistake this commission to be one of making fans of Jesus rather than disciples of Jesus. But Jesus wants more than just people to fill the pews, giving an hour or two on Sundays.

In Matthew 10:38-39, Jesus told his disciples that anyone who does not take up their cross and follow him is not worthy of him. He said that those who lose their lives, for Jesus' sake, would find life. Jesus calls us all to be not fans but his disciples.

What Does Being a Disciple Look Like?

A disciple's priority is following Jesus. Everything else is secondary. If Jesus tells them to go, they go. If he tells them to stay, then they stay. They may be like Paul, traveling the world over sharing the good news of Jesus. Or, more likely, they may be like Aquila and Priscilla, tentmakers who served in a local church.

The responsibility of the disciple of Jesus Christ is as follows:

Ye are the salt of the earth

Did you know that salt preserves and seasons and is essential to human life? Salt can also stand the heat. 1474 F melting point -can stand the heat.2669 F boiling point stands the heat

Ye are the light of the world. This is visible light. Some Christians are unseen light. Let your light shine before men. This is visible light. 

Light is needed to see color. The brighter the light, the more you see the actual color. Color Temperature above 90 is required to view color more accurately. If your light is dim, you will not have a good view of your surroundings.

If your light is dim, you will not show the glory of God to a darkened world.

Let me end with these questions:

Are you salt and light to the world you live in?

Who are you disciplining for the LORD?

THE STANDING PRAYER

 Our Father and my God, the great, mighty, and revered God, the Most High God who bestows loving kindnesses, the creator of all things who in love who brought a redeemer Jesus Christ to their children's children for His Name's sake. Oh, King, helper, Savior, and Shield. Blessed are You,, O Lord, are mighty forever. You revive the dead and have the power to save. You sustain the living with loving kindness, revive the dead with great mercy, support the falling, heal the sick, set free the bound, and keep faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like You, Oh doer of mighty acts? Who resembles You, a King who puts to death and restores to life and causes salvation to flourish? And You are sure to revive the dead. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who revives the dead.

We will bless Your Name in this world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens, as Your prophet writes it: And they call out to one another and say: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. Blessed be the Presence of the LORD from His place. In Your Holy Words, it is written, saying, The LORD reigns forever, your God, Oh Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah. We will declare Your greatness throughout all ages, and to all eternity, we will proclaim Your holiness. Your praise, Our God, shall never depart from our mouth, for You are a great and Holy God and King. Blessed are You, Oh LORD, the Holy God. You are holy, and Your Name is sacred and holy beings praise You daily. (Selah) Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the Holy God.

You favor men with knowledge and teach mortals understanding. Oh, fill us with wisdom, understanding, and Your insight. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the gracious giver of knowledge.. Bring us back, Our Father, to Your instruction; draw us near, Our King, to Your service; and cause us to return to You in perfect repentance. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who delights in repentance.

Forgive us, Our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, Our elected leaders who have led us away from Your commandments, for we have transgressed;  pardon and forgiveness we pled. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who is merciful and always ready to forgive.

Look upon our afflictions, plead our cause, and redeem us speedily for Your Name's sake, for You are a mighty redeemer. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the Redeemer of whosoever will call on Your Name. 

Heal us, Oh Lord, and we will be healed; save us and be saved, for You are our praise. Oh, grant a perfect healing to all our ailments, for You, Almighty King, are a faithful and merciful healer. Blessed are You, O Lord, the healer of the sick of Your Children in Jesus Christ.

Bless this year for us, Oh Lord our God, together with all the varieties of its produce, for our welfare. Bestow dew and rain for a blessing upon the face of the earth. Oh, satisfy us with Your goodness, and bless our year like the best of years. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who sanctifies the years.

tSound the great shofar for our freedom, raise the banner to gather Your faithful, and gather us from the earth's four corners. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who gathers Your people together.

Restore our leaders as in former times and our ministers as at the beginning, and remove from us sorrow and sighing. Reign over us, You alone, Oh Lord, with loving-kindness and compassion, and clear us in judgment. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the King who loves righteousness and justice

May Your compassion be stirred, Oh Lord our God, towards the righteous, the pious, the elders of the Church, the remnant of their scholars, who faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Grant a good reward to all who truly trust in Your Name. Set our lot with them forever so that we may never be put to shame, for we have put our trust in You. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the support and stay of the righteous.

May we open the door of our heart that You may dwell in it as You have promised. Transform our hearts soon in our day as an eternal structure and quickly set up the throne of Jesus Christ. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who rebuilds our hearts into Your Temple.

For the  King of Kings and Lord of Lords we wait all day long for Your salvation. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who causes salvation to flourish.

Hear our voice, Oh Lord our God; spare and pity us. Accept our prayer in mercy and with favor, for You are a God who hears prayers and supplications. Our King, do not turn us away from Your presence empty-handed, for You hear the prayers of Your people with compassion. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who hears prayer.

We give thanks to You that You are the Lord our God and the God of our fathers forever and ever. Through every generation, You have been the rock of our lives, the shield of our salvation. We will thank You and declare Your praise for our lives that are committed into Your hands, for our souls entrusted to You, for Your miracles with us, and for Your wonders and Your benefits that are with us at all times, evening, morning, and noon. Oh, kind One, Your mercies never fail; Oh merciful One, Your loving kindnesses never cease. We have always put our hope in You. For all these acts, may Your Name be blessed and exalted continually, Our King, forever and ever. Let every living thing thank You and praise Your Name in truth, Oh God, our salvation and our help. (Selah) Blessed are You, Oh Lord, whose Name is the Beneficent One, and to whom it is fitting to give thanks.

Grant peace, welfare, blessing, grace, loving kindness, and mercy to all Your people. Bless us, Our Father, one and all, with the light of Your countenance; for by the light of Your countenance You have given us, Oh Lord our God, the WORD of life, loving kindness and salvation, blessing, mercy, life, and peace. May it please You to bless Your people at all times and every hour with Your peace.

Amen