Posts Tagged ‘radical disciples’

Have you not counted the cost?

Posted: December 17, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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Luke 14: 25-33: “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 ‘If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first, and count the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first, and consider whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Now I don’t see how anyone can read this saying of Jesus a not ask himself, “Am I really a disciple of Jesus?” These words challenge the most earnest Christian to examine himself and to feel a certain fear. How much more should it cause to tremble any so-called Christian who is careless, lukewarm, and not deadly serious about his obedience to Christ!

At this point in Jesus’s ministry a great crowd was following Him. Among then were people He knew were not serious, who were only superficially interested. He had enemies in the crowd as well as friends, some caught up in the excitement of this strange new teacher, some who thought they were serious, but Jesus knew they were not true disciple material. So He uttered these words of challenge, with a design to reduce the crowd, to send away those who were not willing to go all the way to the cross with Him. So He said:

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple…whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Was Jesus speaking only to the crowd, or is He speaking to us today? Most certainly He was speaking to us today. He said, “if any man,” “whosoever,” and “whoever.” That’s universal and applies to every believer. Jesus wants to admonish us today, to warn us that He will not tolerate a half-hearted service.

Before we look at this passage more closely I want to explain a couple of things. First of all, the word “hate” in the Bible does not always have the same negative force that our word has today. It sometimes merely means to love one thing less than another. For example, God says, “Jacob I loved; Esau I hated.” It’s obvious that God did not hate Esau in our sense of the word. He blessed him and made a great nation from his seed. But God chose Jacob over Esau to carry on the promised birthright. In Genesis chapter 29 we read: “Now God saw that Leah was hated, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.” The NAS & the NIV translate is “unloved,” and “not loved.” Jacob did not hate Leah in the sense of having malice towards her. But he thought less of her than of Rachel, with whom he was in love. You cannot serve two masters; rather you will hate the one and love the other. Again this seems to be the weaker meaning of hate. You will serve the one and disregard the other. You have to choose. So you see when Jesus says that we are to hate “father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters,” He is saying that we must make a clear choice between Jesus and our family. The Bible teaches us that we are not to hate anyone in the sense of holding malice towards them, or wishing them ill. This would be especially true of our family. But the Christian life involves clear separation and radical choices.

When He says that we must hate our own lives, what does He mean? Are we to have self-hatred? Then how could He tell us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves? Paul says, “no one hates his own body.” No. What Jesus means is that we must choose Christ over our on life, our interests, our ambition, our safety, EVERYTHING.

And of course, Jesus was not inviting his disciples to carry a literal cross made of wood. He was speaking figuratively. We have a cross to carry, so what is our cross? What did He mean when He said: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me cannot be my disciple”? Well, there are two crosses in the Christian’s life: Christ’s and his own. The Cross of Jesus is the cross by which we are saved; our own cross is the cross on which our own wills are crucified. I believe that our cross speaks of those moment—and they come to us daily—when our will crosses the will of God. God’s vertical, heavenly Will meets our horizontal, fleshly will. The two cross. And when that happens, our wills must give way to God’s.

And when Jesus said to forsake all, did He mean that we must sell all that we have, give it to the poor, and make ourselves homeless or enter a monastery? No, of course not. But He did mean something quite radical. He meant that we must let nothing, nothing—no material possession, no relationship, no profession, NOTHING come before Him in our lives!

Even after we have softened them somewhat, these are very strong words, aren’t they? These, and some of the other hard sayings of our Lord, would (as I said) challenge the most committed and faithful Christian. They would call the most serious and saintly believer to examine himself. How much more are they a reproach to the half-hearted, lukewarm, Sunday-only, part-time Christian! Jesus makes it plain in another place that He would rather a person be cold and indifferent towards Him than to be lukewarm. Where is the place, then, for the half-hearted, off-and-on Christian here? In this saying of Jesus, He lays to rest once and for all any notion that He will tolerate a half-hearted service.

When I speak of a Sunday-only Christian, I’m not referring so much to Church attendance as to the quality of our Christian lives throughout the week. I’m not talking about people who only come to Church on Sunday morning. For all I know they may have a deep, rich devotional life throughout the week. They may read the Bible and pray more than people who come to Church every time the doors open. Church attendance is significant, and it often indicates how serious a person is in his or her faith. But what I’m calling a Sunday-only Christian is a person whose only real contact with God and with other Christians is Sunday morning. The rest of the week they are pretty much like everyone else. They never open their Bibles.

They seldom pray, and when they do it’s to say grace at table or to send themselves off to sleep. Their neighbors, co-workers, and friends hardly know they are Christians, so little do they differ from their unsaved associates. Grace is wonderful; thank God for grace. But grace does not cover a lax, off-and-on, half-hearted service to Christ.

Based on these, and some other hard sayings of the Lord, I don’t think I have the right to present the Gospel in a soft, seductive way. Some of the hugely popular, seeker-friendly churches today never preach on these hard saying of the Lord. They preach only positive messages. They don’t want sinners to feel uncomfortable in their services. I’m afraid they may be swelling their rosters with unsaved (or at the very least) immature Christians. I see little resemblance between the way these churches make “disciple” and the way Jesus and the Apostles did. Jesus sought to warn off the unserious from following Him. These churches seem to want as members the same people that Jesus sent away.

When I was going to the jail to teach and preach, I noticed that the other minister would offer the invitation very gently, so as not to scare the potential convert off. “Every eye close, no one looking around. Now if you want to follow Christ, just slip your hand up. Don’t be shy. No one is looking. Yes, I see that hand. Anyone else? Praise God. Now if you raised your hand just come to the front.” Then he would quietly lead those who came forward in his version of the “sinner’s prayer,” with usually no mention made of repentance. So ineffective was this method that some prayed “the Sinner’s Prayer” every time we met. One man raised his hand when asked who was a Christian, then came forward at the invitation and prayed to be saved again. Bless their hearts, some of them prayed to be saved a dozen times.
Based on these and other hard sayings of Christ, I took a very different approach. I told them not to come forward unless they were deadly serious. I told them not to play games with God, not to pray for salvation unless they really meant to live for Him. When they did come forward, I had them repent of their sins, to ask out loud for God to forgive them, and to declare their intention to follow Christ with their whole hearts. When they went back to their seats, I said, “Now turn around and look at those around you. Look them in the eye and tell them this: “With God’s help I intend to follow Christ with all of my heart.” Then they sat down. I instructed them to study the Bible and pray, and when they got out to find a Bible-believing Church and to be baptized as soon as possible

Jesus Emphasized the Cost

Jesus didn’t emphasize the advantages of discipleship, although we know there are many and great; no, He emphasized the cost of discipleship. And He urged anyone who would follow Him to count the cost. In another place He said, “Whoever puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy to be my disciple.” He is saying, in effect, “If you’re not determined to go all the way with Me, turn back now.”

There is a time to count the cost, to calculate just how far we will go with Jesus. There’s a time to ask, “How much of the world am I willing to give up?” How much do I really love the Lord? Am I willing to give up all sin? Can I get to heaven without being a fanatic for Jesus? Am I content to be a lukewarm Christian? But the time to ask these questions is before professing to “follow Jesus.” We need to settle that before we commit to follow Christ. These scriptures, if they mean anything, mean that following Christ can’t be a halfway thing. It’s worse to follow Him with half a heart than not to follow Him at all. After we have taken the measure of our commitment, then there’s no turning back, no lukewarm service, no compromise with the world.

In the strongest possible words Jesus says that He will not endure lukewarm Christianity.

Rev. 3:14-16: “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Pretty clear, isn’t it? Pretty clear, and pretty scary. People are lax and careless in their Christian walk for two reasons. They don’t fear God as they should, and they don’t love Him as they should. No devout, earnest Christian should be afraid of God’s punishment. But even the most sincere Christian walks in a kind of reverent, godly fear. And a person who isn’t trying his hardest to obey God in all things has every reason to fear. Even the Law commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Should not a Christian who is only half-heartedly serving God have fear? If we love Him we keep His commandments. If we do not love Him enough to obey Him, we should fear.

I John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

If you are not serving God with all your heart, I want you to be afraid. Only perfect, obedient love drives out fear. I want your fear to spur you to action, to repentance, to a fierce determination to be all out for Christ.

I see nothing in all of God’s word to offer comfort to any man, woman, or young person, who is not on fire for the Lord, who is not willing to forsake all for Him, who does not put Him before family, friends, and future. On the contrary, lukewarm Christians are nauseating to Christ, and He is going to spit them out.

Discipleship is a serious business, a life-or-death matter. You must decide whether or not you will surrender the rest of your heart to Him if it is still in anyway divided. If you are holding back any aspect of your life from Him, you are not truly His disciple.

Let meditate on the words of this song:

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Search me and try me, Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence, humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit, till all can see
Christ only, always, living in me.

Amen

This article was shared from http://www.pearlofgreatvalue.com/CostofDiscipleship.php

A Message from Peter to future radical Disciples

Posted: November 19, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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A Message from Peter to future radical Disciples;

• So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind.

• Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

• Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.

• Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men [a]tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight.

• [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

• For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen ([b]honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be [c]disappointed or put to shame.

• To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone,

• And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do.

• But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own [d]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

• Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy.

• Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.

• Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [[e]when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].

• Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

• Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.

• For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons.

• [Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God.

• Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor.

(1 Peter 2:1-17)

What will History’s testimony of this generations disciples be?

Posted: September 11, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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By Russ Welch

We must ask ourselves what is “untouchable” in our lives? I mean, what is there in our lives that we are not willing to sacrifice in order to serve the Lord? Is it work? Family? Friends? Reputation? Finances? Houses?

Whatever it is, until you are able to surrender it upon the alter of obedience, you will never truly be sold-out to the Master. The enemy knows it as well and it is that very thing that the enemy will key in on until he has you cornered.

Radically sold-out to Jesus or sold-out to the world?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” (Matt 16:24-27)

We can see how this passage strikes a death blow to the current trend in much of the modern day Christianity that echoes and leans toward self-centered consumption. Many people wish to identify themselves with Christianity only for what they can get out of it. They view Jesus as a utilitarian genie, fulfilling every whim.

Sadly we find that some (with a growing number) in the Charismatic movement say Jesus wants to make you healthy, wealthy, and happy. If you are not all those things, then you supposedly don’t have enough faith to appropriate what’s yours. They claim Christianity is designed so you can get everything you need and want.

We even see where evangelicals and fundamentalists through the years have been guilty of propagating a Jesus who is a panacea for everything. They promote the get without the give, and the gain without the pain. Self-esteem promoters tell us Jesus came to boost our self-image. But they have fallen victim to narcissism–the pervasive self-love of contemporary society.

We must have a radical mindset transformation to where we realize that true disciples (radical disciples) have counted the cost, weighed their options, and they have stood their ground upon a personal & spiritual conviction that there is nothing in this world that can even remotely compare to the Lord nor is there anything that would hinder them from whole hearted totally abandoned life of servant-hood to Him….Just as history testifies to when we read about the radical disciples in the early years of the Church, when men and women who had counted themselves as bond servants unto their Lord, King and Master Jesus Christ even in the face of death.

We can read in the scriptures of how first century disciples “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41). These simple, humble, but dedicated and convicted people were willing to risk and, if necessary, lose security, property, limb, and even life for Christ’s sake. And yet we think we are “suffering above and beyond the call of duty” if our religion might cause the loss of some “friends,” the approval of our family, or the esteem of the social leaders in our area.

History testifies to the fact that disciples of the first century Church, as well as those of earlier periods in our own nation, could always be identified because they lived “soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12). Although they did not seek to be “odd-balls” or non-conformists just for the sake of being eccentric, they were different even as Peter indicated in 1 Peter. 2:9-12.

Yet with great sorrow we find that a large scale portion of the modern day Christianity has ushered in the era of being,”more tolerant” and “open-minded” about sin than before. To such an extent that we have become amassed with those who call themselves followers of Christ who dress (or undress), curse, drink, smoke, fill their minds with smut, and divorce, etc., just like the world around them to such a degree that it is next to impossible to tell who is the Christian and who is not by the way they live.

Brothers & sisters, these things ought not so to be!

Now, I am not saying that these qualities do not exist anymore today, or that the church is failing. There are many devoted disciples; I know some of them. We must realize that the Lords people in this generation have great possibilities. Yet we must also realize that these trends seem to be developing among us as they have in every previous era and I mention them only to warn us to be on guard. Unless each one of us has the kind of attitude displayed by the people of God of the first-century as revealed in the New Testament, we cannot be the kind of influence He wants us to be in this life, and we simply will not get to heaven

So, one of the questions that must be asked today is;

How shall history look back upon this generations disciples?

Shall History testify to a generation of “radical disciples” who were Radically sold-out servants to Christ the King or will it testify to a generation of “servants of compromise” who sold-out their King for the comforts of this World……?

Seek ye first………

Posted: September 9, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)

We need to take into consideration everything in our lives and lay them on the table before the Lord and truthfully ask Him – Lord, are these things what you desire for me? I believe that often times we seek after to accumulate and establish things that may be good, yet they are not the desire of God.

When we look at everything in our lives, if Jesus Christ is not the central focus point then they do not bring Him Glory. My marriage struggled in the early years yet once we made Jesus the very central point, there was a harmony, strength and love that has become the foundation of our marriage, because Jesus is the Rock upon which our marriage stands.

Are we building to promote who we are, or are we establishing Kingdom to promote who Jesus is?

There are ministries that putter along and even though their focus may be on the prophetic, deliverance, healing or discipleship if the main focus is not Christ, the Father has no desire to pour out His blessing.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col 1:18)

He has established His Son in the position for everything in Heaven and earth to worship Him. Yet in much of the Church Jesus is the theme but not the central focus.

How can we expect the nations to honor Jesus in His rightful place among them when we the Church resist doing so. God’s purpose is that the Church reveal on earth, both individually and corporately, the centrality of the Lamb, Jesus Christ in our midst.

We’ve built Churches that are driven by the personality of the senior pastor, ministries that are focused on its leaders. Until we make Jesus Christ the focus point in every area of our lives, we can not and will not walk in our inheritance of Victory and power. We will not be able to release the Glory of the Lord to the world.

So again, take everything in your life, put it on the table and ask the Father “Is this purposed by You Father, or out of my own agenda and desire?

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (Luke 14:33)

Are you radical enough to settle for nothing but the Will of the Father? In order to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, you must.

Jesus does not want Luke warm followers – He desires Radicals

Posted: August 26, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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Jesus does not want Luke warm followers – He desires Radicals – in fact He clearly state states that if we are not radical about following Him He shall spit us out of His mouth. (Rev 3:16)

As the return of the Lord draws closer and closer, I believe we the Church are in a very crucial season and the enemy know that is is bringing great confusion into the Body. I see this especially as we look at calling of man verses the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ in regard to “Grow or Discipleship” As we look at what the word disciple means we need to realize the enemy is out to destroy, twist, distort and pervert the teachings of Christ and today we are challenged with some real misconceptions of discipleship and what radical discipleship looks like.

So today let us ask the question what does disciple in the Bible really mean?

The word disciple comes from a Greek word which means, someone who not only learns but becomes attached to one’s teacher and becomes his follower in doctrine and conduct of life. In other words a disciple is someone who walks in the footsteps of his master or emulates his lifestyle.

Let us ask this question of ourselves today – Does my life emulate the life of Jesus?

There are a number of initiatives over the years that have been fruitful and not so fruitful. If we do not allow Holy Ghost to direct us, and together spend time in prayer and the Word we can end up leaning more on mans leadership than that of the Father.

We have seen this in our generation such as the of discipleship teachings that came out of the “Shepherding movement” which brought forth a perversion of discipleship teachings. In all honesty it birthed a season of “perverse and unbiblical obedience” to leaders. Many still struggle with these teachings today. Only the allowance of Holy Ghost to have the freedom to bring forth the Fire of Gods purity into our hearts and meetings can be a safe Spiritual wall against the influence of such dark deceptive doctrines, though they appear to be gentle as sheep these doctrines are wolves who seek to scatter and destroy the Lords sheep.

We must seek the Father guidance and come to the realization that there is more to this Christian life than what many are living. We must realize that the call of Christ on ever person who proclaims Him as Lord is a radical call.

If we open the Word of God and read it under the “Super-Vision” of Holy Ghost, we will indeed see that true Biblical discipleship if anything is radical. This is chiefly because it was taught and practiced by a leader who was more radical than his contemporaries. What he said and did practically blew the myths of leadership, and traditional views of serving God. Christ’s discipleship model is so radical because of its call, the cost and the rewards.

And to quelch the negative narrative that many will try to inject here by claiming that I am speaking about “work-based” salvation, let it be known that I believe that salvation is a free gift from God; you don’t have to do anything to earn it but everything else after getting saved is costly. If you ask the early disciples, the church reformers or any great men and women of God what price you must pay in following Christ, they would unashamedly without any hesitation would echo the very words of Christ who said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever looses his life for me will find it.” Let these words deeply sink into our hearts.

We must not be fooled by the watered down gospel being taught in many Churches today. My friends the Gospel truth is, following Christ comes with a huge price tag attached to it. It calls for a life style of self denial, giving up of our rights, and willingness to go through suffering, pain, heartache and possibly death. What comforts or pleasures are you willing to deny yourself in order to know Christ? It is about time that we stop fighting; grumbling and quarreling among ourselves over who will make the next meat balls and spaghetti meal and as a Church take a deeper look at radical discipleship.

Sadly many “leaders” in the Church are playing a game with the Lord’s sheep today, they are like political leaders vying for the most sheep that they may be seen as a great leader whose Church is the largest one in the city, thus their anointing must be seen as superior to all the other shepherds in the territory. They love titles and you will see them amass them like badges of honor “doctors, bishops, rev, apostles etc – some will even be Rev, Pastor Dr, author, apostle so and so, as though by displaying their titles brings honor – Oh they will get the honor here for sure and then stand before the Father and answer why they sought to steal the honor and praise of His people meant for His Son.

Yet while we sit around deliberating on the merits and challenges of radical discipleship there are literally thousands of our brothers and sisters who are paying the price with their lives because of their obedience to the call of their master. I was moved and deeply challenged by the stand that young Iranian Pastor Yousuf took, though he was offered freedom from execution simply if he confessed that, Mohammed is the great prophet of God but he simply refused to deny his master and prepared to die. What an example of a radical disciple of Christ.

Are your ears open today – Do you not hear the alarm sounding across the land? Do you not here the Master Jesus Christ calling you for a radical discipleship. Are you willing to pick up your cross and follow Jesus? May the Lord help all of us with courage to radically follow Him, even if it means loosing our lives? My prayer is that all of us will hear the words of Jesus at the end of our life’s journey that are recorded in Rev 2:7, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Amen

So you think your radical

Posted: August 21, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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As radical disciples of Christ Jesus we give radically, sacrifice radical, and we are dedicated to radical obedience to God & His Word not because we believe that by such works we shall enter heaven. Rather it if because of the outward expression of the inward experience of all that the Father has poured into their lives via Holy Ghost. I serve Christ not because I am ordered to, I serve because His love propels me to do so with a rejoicing & joyful overflow.

I do not have the right to judge others in regard to the depth of their service to the Lord – but the Word is the weight and measure of all things and when I see those who claim to be sold out to Christ having no compassion for the lost, the helpless, the homeless, the widow and the orphans I often wonder if they have read the same Bible that I have read.

Jesus’s life, death and resurrection call all who call upon His Name and believer that He is the Son the of the living God to a higher standard than that of the world. It calls us to be separated from the fleshly indices, the lure to walk in darkness and the carnality of what this world has to offer.

I have to question how much damage the false, watered down gospel of our day has done to the Body. How many have been fooled into believing they are truly the Lords disciples while they still serve the prince of darkness.

I hear the true stories of the saints in other parts of the world who give their very lives for the gospel. They accept death rather than denouncing Jesus as their Lord. They are beating, tortured, and even watch their family members be put to death because of their devotion to be disciples of Jesus Christ. They are radically in love with Jesus and they have abandoned their lives to a radical service to God the Father.

And then I see the picture of the westernized Church. I have witnessed many who claim to love Jesus, yet their to busy to be His hands and feet. There are to busy with the things of this world to take the time to give a cup of water to one who is thirsty. They need to make sure all their needs are meet first and if that person is lucky they just might give them a few bread crumbs at best.

We see a whole generation going to Hell yet we have no time to mentor, no time to help, no time to serve which in reality makes a loud proclamation that we really have no time to LOVE.

It causes a heaviness in my heart when I ponder how many have said a little prayer that causes them to feel they shall spend eternity in heaven only to get there and here the words “Depart from me for I know you not”?

In the same way how many have been fooled in to a gospel filled with legalism and a salvation that is based upon works and earning our way into heaven shall hear the same words?

If each believer could just tap into the Love of God, if they just cry out to Holy Ghost to baptize them in His mercy and Grace they shall be renewed and for once have a true “First Love” experience with the creator of heaven and earth.

Again, a radical disciples serves out of gratitude, honor and joy for all that the Father has given them in the same way that we would give the world to that special someone when we first experience a love for them.

A truly radical Christian is sold out to the ways of the Kingdom. Their hearts are set to the heights of heaven and they look forward with an eagerness that out weights anything this world has to offer, too spending eternity with Jesus Christ, Their Savior, Lord, King, and Master.

Where is your heart today friend?

Is it more connected to the things of this world or to Jesus?

We must radically love Jesus above everything else, if indeed we are to be known as His true disciples. It is a call to a radical sold out, Christ Jesus or nothing else lifestyle.

We serve a radical Master who is seeking radical servants to whom He can commission to fulfill His desire and will on this earth – yet He is so radical that He calls them not slaves, but friends.

Here is a radical statement – If you cant find the time to love those around you, especially the ones who no one else wants to love – Stop calling yourself a Christian – For Jesus has commanded that all His disciples live a life of radical LOVE

The burden of the seed planter

Posted: August 6, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. (Isaiah 6:8-13)

I have found that operating in the prophetic and having the gift of evangelism can at times be trying. Especially when you here a directive from the Lord, you feel the intensity of the Fathers passion and you share it to those whom the Lord desires to hear it and there is absolutely no response. I can imagine how the Lord felt when but Peter stepped out of the boat and the others remained in it. There are times when I can look out and see a huge web covering people and when I asked the Holy Ghost about it He said it was a “web of complacency” that was being feed by doubt and self absorption.

For the Father has awesome plans and gifts for all of His Children yet the majority as in over 90% of those who have called upon His Name receive them. Not because He has not desired them to have them rather that they are so busy with their own lives and their own agenda’s they have never asked Him what His desire was.

Many disciples today are like soldiers in the battle field with out ammunition for their weapons because they never took the time to enter the storehouse to get armored up. Like a child with a new B.B. gun they are more interested in playing with it rather than taking the time to fill it, read the directions and use it as it was purposed to be used.

Every week I see countless people who claim the name of Christ walking with down cast spirits, always defeated and never experiencing true joy. I have begun to understand how the Lord felt as He stood looking over Jerusalem weeping. And to really to the full revelation of “Many are called, but few are chosen”. Again it is not because the Lord only desires a few to experience His Kingdom in its fullness for He would all of His Children – it is because few take the time to ask, seek and knock.

O, they might say a quick prayer, they might look for a few minutes and they may tap the doors of Heaven once or twice but they lack the patience and the desire to keep asking, til the Father answers, to keep seeking that He may show them and to keep knocking that the awesome things He has for them may be revealed.

No, the majority of Christians today are birthed into a generation who has become accustomed to instant gratification and desire a “Fast-Food” type religion. They can not begin to grip the understanding of “Wait upon the Lord” or to those who endure,m they shall be counted as those who are the over-comers.

The Churches are filled with illusionist, who paint a picture of Christianity that has no call for sacrifice, no room for the word obedience and no place for faithful labor – they paint a false picture of the Kingdom as being filled with all our dreams being meet by a big sugar daddy in the sky.

The sad thing is that in our day everyone wants a place of position being worshiped by others – mere man pleasers, they believe they are owed the reward’s and demand a fire filled revival all to the glory of their name but none are willing to pay the cost. The saddest part of this is that in the end they shall be like the many who did not enter into the promised land, for they desired not to wait upon the Lord.

As it was then, so is today in that the Father is seeking a Joshua mentality, those who will walk in faith regardless of what they see in the natural, for they have surrendered their eyes, ears and dreams unto the Lord and are walking with supernatural vision seeing what shall be, for indeed they know that God the Father has the best in-store for those who desire nothing but His Will.

In the end of my questioning the Lord as to why so few want to take part in the Harvest, He simply said to remain being faithful in planting the seed, Holy Ghost will go forth and water it and in the end each ones is left with their own Will choose. Even if but one seed takes root, is watered and nourished till it grows and produces fruit it have been been worth it.

I thought, Wow if the Father is not worried about numbers why are so many leaders in the Church today concerned with numbers. Holy Ghost responded quickly with “They have their agenda, the Father has His desire”.

None the less I will continue to sow His Word, I will continue to labor in the Harvest and I will continue to weep for those who hear but do not respond. I and many others are not laboring in vain but merely keep on walking in obedience to His call knowing that is but His commissioned call to do so.

The Lord is indeed calling forth a radical generation – men and women who shall deny themselves, the things of this world and follow after Him. even if it leads them to death and all to the Glory of His Name. Their names shall be of no mentioned popularity among the popular crowds, yet their testimonies shall ignite the Fires that shall burn across the Greatest Harvest known to mankind – The Great & final Harvest.

Nature itself is crying out for the Lord’s return – Heaven is thundering in anticipation of the Champion of champions breaking forth from the Throne room to come and claim that which His rightfully His, His Bride!!!!

Are you radical enough to say no to the status quo of Christianity that is being practiced throughout the land today? Purposeless, powerless, passionless, and spiritless religion that has imprisoned the masses but for the glory of men and the prince of darkness?

Jesus never gave the disciples a choice of following Him or someone else in order to be His disciple. He straight forwardly said “Follow Me” and they followed.

Today He is asking the same question, the same way “Follow Me”. Are you willing to forsake everything and follow the Master?

If you said yes get ready to experience the Kingdom like never before – Ask Holy Ghost to take you through the Word of God and Show you the Fathers desire for you, the way to live, think and believe that you to may be numbered amongst the chosen one. Ask Him to birth in you a passion for prayer and a passion for worship that you may be led by the heart beat of the Father.

The reward is eternal – an eternity of being in the presence of the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Master, Jesus Christ.

Yes my friends, today is the day that you can step in the ranks of the Army of God, led by the Champions of champions,, Jesus, the Only begotten Son of the Living God. Take that step brother & sister – that you can mark this day on your calendar as the the day that you become a radical disciple of Jesus Christ – asking, seeking and knocking that you may find your self positioned to be all that the Father intended you to be.

Its time to stop reading about feats of the disciples in the Bible and start living our own – its time to become as radical as the disciples in the Book of Acts – to begin walking in the power & authority that Christ has been giving for us – its time to release the Glory of the Lord til it covers the earth!!!!!

Written by Russ Welch

However if My people who are called by MY Name……

Posted: July 12, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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By Russ Welch

“Bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with hand-cut stones. Fig trees have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.” (Isaiah 9:10)

Like that of ancient Israel, God has been sending signs to America. And although many are trying to erase America’s true history in regard to the foundation upon which it was built or even the fact that before America was, it was dedicated by Christians as the New Zion even as Israel was dedicated to be a Nation unto the Lord.

Today we see people believing both in the Church and out of the Church that the cure to America’s woes are based upon an economic turn around yet that is a mere symptom of the real crisis at hand, for it goes far deeper to the very soul of this Nation and it’s continue progression away from God.

We can liken Sept 11, 2001 to ancient Israel when the hedge was breached instead of realizing that it was a Spiritual sign they looked at it as a sign that they needed to strengthen their nation defense. Now for a few brief moments America turned to God yet in its pride it sad we can become stronger, we can build a better defense system so that this will not happen again. The Churches for a brief moment were filled with people bowing low and crying out to the Lord. Now today we have people bowing low and worshipping mammon once again and seeking a human to solve their problems.

Look at the commentary of John D Watt’s on Isaiah 9:10:
“There is no way for the people to ignore the obvious disaster. Yet they choose not to recognize the deeper meaning…they do not respond to God. They only respond (inadequately) to the threating situation.”

And the Church remains silent on the matter. For much of the Church is sold out to the worlds systems (I said most not all) and has entered into the political arena spouting off who they believe will be better for the nation. Totally blind that the only hope for this nation lays in the hands of one man, and that man is Jesus Christ.

They have not even looked at the depth of sin in their own ranks; they have ignored the signs of God because they know Him not. Many will say God had nothing to do with 9 11 or that that was the Old Testament God, not the New Testament God of grace. Sorry but the Word is clear – the Lord God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.

Did God cause 9 11? No He did not He merely lifted His hand of protection over this nation. Ironically the very descendants of those who attacked ancient Israel are they who attacked America on 9 11 – the Assyrians. And although the Assyrian language is dead – the remnants of its language is closely tied to that of Arabic.

The hope of America is dwindling day by day. At some point the Lord will lift His hands of protection all together, unless as He states in His Word “However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear [their prayer] from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country.” (2 Chron 7:14)

Now God is not only the God of Mercy, He is as well the God of justice and He can’t not allow America to continue on her path and still bless her. Even as He judged Israel as we read in the book of Judges for her open rejection of Him and their vile display of sin, so must He justly deal with America:

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. (Judges 2:14-15)

We are blind if we do not see America being sold right from out under our feet – look at the debt we owe to China, what will happen when they decide call in their notes. Look at our ports and see who the companies that run them are from – China.

Our government is selling our rights and our religious freedoms and we remain silent – yet our silence should not be broken by merely changing the people in Washington – our silence must be broken by a crying out to God and possible a changing of the leadership in His house who like the politicians of this world are steeped in political games.

Thus the problem of America is bigger than what a mere political campaign can solve – it is a Spiritual sickness that not even an outward reformation will solve – it must be an inward transformation of His people turning back to Him and Him alone.

For if His people in America do not turn back to Him in humble repentance– we can be assured that even as He prophesied over ancient Israel, so Has He prophesied unto America:

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. (Isaiah 10:5-6)

We must make a radical cry to Heaven – we must radically change our lives from that of serving the world with our actions and merely attempting to appease God with our lip service – we must radically serve Him and His Kingdom as true disciples armed with His Word, hardened with calloused knees having spent hours in prayer. With purified hearts and clean hands

One Hope, One God – Awake, awake oh sleeper for Your Husband stands at the door!!!

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Posted: July 1, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the highest position. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.

Therefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth). It is because of these sins that God’s anger comes on those who refuse to obey him.[a] You used to live that kind of sinful life. Also get rid of your anger, hot tempers, hatred, cursing, obscene language, and all similar sins. Don’t lie to each other. You’ve gotten rid of the person you used to be and the life you used to live, and you’ve become a new person. This new person is continually renewed in knowledge to be like its Creator. Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, uncivilized person, slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is everything and in everything.

As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness.[b] Sing to God in your hearts. Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:1-18)

The Father has made His desire in regard to the life He desires His Children to live in Paul has written here – It could be made no clearer and it is a a Heaven sent recipe to living a Holy Life in Christ inspired through Holy Ghost. To be radical disciples we need the radical transformation of our hearts and minds that we may live such a radically selfless & Kingdom purposed life unto our King.

Daring to be discipled and to disciple others

Posted: June 30, 2012 in disciples life, teaching, wilderness
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And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (Acts 4:32)

I see one the greatest hindrances to discipleship in the modern era is that of poor or selfish time stewardship. Many desire to make the claim of their desire to be discipled but few are willing to pay the cost – as well many claim the desire to disciple yet they too are not willing to pay the cost.

In regard to discipleship the biggest cost is that of time and of sharing ones heart. People on both sides have put up walls because they fear being vulnerable to anyone that their hearts might be hurt. Thus the seeds of fear and an unwillingness to commit grows and in its place, once the door to the works of Hell has entrances comes the spirit of complaining, bitterness, rejection and pride.

The one says “No one sees the wisdom the Lord has put in me” the other says, “this Church thing is a farce for I see no one who want to really be my friendship.” and they both sit in opposition to the Lord chained to a spirit of rebellion.

As a disciple I must be willing to submit to leadership in my life – I must sacrifice the time that those whom the Lord has placed in my life to mature me, being led of the Spirit, that I may receive a well rounded counsel of the Lord. I need those in my life who are trustworthy and walk in the true love of God to bring correction and exhortation.

The same must be the trait if I am to be a Kingdom discipler – I must make the time to speak into others lives, to listen to their concerns, to pray with them, encourage them and bring Goldy correction when necessary. I must be willing to trust the Lord with my heart enough that I am willing to become vulnerable and share my inner most parts of my life that those whom the Lord has called me to walk beside, the Timothy’s that they may can that I am human just as they are, I hurt, I bleed and I totally rely upon the Lord for wisdom and direction.

If we truly trust in the Lord, then we realize that we must disciple as He did – not as a dictator lording oneself over another – but befriending them, getting in to the dirt of life with them, expose my life to them that they may grow and mature in the Kingdom.

And the same with those who desire to grow, they must learn to trust others that the Lord has placed in their lives as well as trust in the voice of Holy Ghost and His ability to led, direct and counsel through His Word and through other Children of God. For we must all submit one unto the other that we may show the world that we can live the Kingdom life together in unity.

In both cases we must realize that it takes commitment and sacrifice and time is one of the aspects we must be willing to tithe back to the Lord – time is something that can be wasted and regretfully time can not be taking back. Once a day has been wasted it has been wasted and now is what was. We can take advantage of tomorrow but we can not get yesterday back. We must be wise stewards of all that the Father has blessed us with. The message of the Lord in regard to wise stewardship of time is not something new yet it is none the less an urgent message.

Dare to trust the Lord today, leaning totally in dependence of Holy Ghost, trusting that He will lead you to those who shall continue the work of discipleship in your life as well as leading others to you that you may be a wise discipler unto them. And in things let it be but to the Praise, Honor and Glory unto our Lord and King Jesus Christ.

For we serve a radical King whose kingdom is established for the people who dare to live a radical Christianity in the face of a darkened world. Are you one who can fully 100% surrender and submit your life of unto this Radical Lord, Jesus Christ and walk as a true radical servant? Because He will only accept those whose lives are totally and radically sold out to serve Him as Lord, Master and King and totally committed to being a citizen of His Kingdom.

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