Life has been used effectively for many years with individuals and in small group bible studies with people from all walks of life: the poor, the rich, the homeless, present & former prison inmates, struggling believers, wayward believers, in marital & pre-marital counseling, with friends, parents, pastors, mentors and teachers.
Life helps us think about our conversations together with
hearts after the Father, the
mind and attitudes of Christ,
language and actions that produce
fruit of the Spirit, and
love that proves we
care and are
his.
Are you a disciple of Jesus? What does it mean to be his disciple? It is probably different than you think because we do not have any word for it in our English language. The Hebrew word translated for us to English is
talmid. The plural is
talmidim.
Unlike the words disciple or student or apprentice that suggest a learning and doing process, the word talmid is a Hebrew term that describes a
becoming process. Talmid desire to
become just like their rabbi. It is more than the practical application of the knowledge we gain. It is more than taking actions based upon our understanding of his teachings. A talmid of Jesus will be growing to reflect the very
character of Jesus, have
a heart after the Father, and be gaining
the mind and attitudes of Christ.
Becoming all he would have us be requires that we trust the teachings of Jesus, the Father in us doing his works and the power of the Holy Spirit in us to will and to do it - for the benefit of all of us.
As our Father does his works in our lives, he graciously intersects our path with the many he has prepared in advance to help us. While Life, Love and Leading has been a work in process for nearly 20 years, its preparation has spanned my lifetime and required the faithful input of hundreds.
"Life" illuminates the foundational aspects of who God is and what he requires of us such that we might better live lives of loving wholly and loving only. That our children know him, our families be strong, and the division and degradation of our nation be reversed.
The God-led life is directed by the power of the Holy Spirit, consistent with the teachings of Jesus, as the Father in us does his works. It does not make of us robots, rather we become
willing participants in
creative collaboration, growing hearts after God as the Family of God.
Acts 13:22And when he had removed him (Saul), he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' The world is continually telling us that we must think and logic and work our way through to each decision. The equivalent of leaning on our own understanding:
Proverbs 3:3-85 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (mind). 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes (mind); fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. The wisdom that follows does not so much come from me, but from a lifetime of collaborating with God and the many wise counselors he has put in my path. Proverbs 11:14 tells us that where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory. May it be so for you.
