http://www.discipleshiptools.org Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. It remains an abstract idea, a myth which has a place for the Fatherhood of God, but omits Christ as the living Son. … There is trust in God, but no following of Christ. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=37025&view=post&blogid=4189 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 This also means as a Christian, a call in knowing Jesus Christ as LORD and being prepared by faith, spiritual maturity, character, and Fruit to develop our faith so we are ready for life and also His return. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=37021&view=post&blogid=4189 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 The incarnation simply means God came to be a man. He was fully man while remaining fully God. That way He could identify with our plight in life. As He lived a normal human existence for over 30 years, He experienced all that we experienced, including all the emotions, relationships, and temptations. Therefore, we can never say to Him, Hey, God, You do not understand my situation or me! http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=37018&view=post&blogid=4189 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 We are called to get our minds lined up with God-His Way, His precepts, and His plan. We still have the old sinful nature residing within us. God declares us clean, but we do not become completely clean. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36984&view=post&blogid=4189 Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 We are called to be understanding and patient! As "older" or more "mature" Christians we should gladly accept people who are "weaker" in faith. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36983&view=post&blogid=4189 Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 To enter the Kingdom of Heaven requires the kind of trust and faith in Christ that a child has that they will be cared for. It also means to be dependent on God and not on self. Children cannot achieve or pay for their own way just as we cannot do so for our place in heaven. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36982&view=post&blogid=4189 Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 How can I develop quality time with our Lord so I can become a deeper and more mature Christian? Here are nine thoughts to get you pointed in the right direction: http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36981&view=post&blogid=4189 Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 The call Christ gives us is for us here is to move forward under His produce to produce the goods of "produce" by the Fruit of the Spirit with our faith. So, how can we do this? My proposal is that we do this from our committed and continual faith formation. The basics on how to grow closer to Christ and deeper in our walk with Him, and also how to draw near to the heart of God are the essential elements to put the "go" into action. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36956&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Why does John give us this preview of Heaven? Perhaps it is all about Hope, that vital fuel and stimulate necessary for all that we do successfully in life and for Him. It is also the fuel for us to be encouraged so we can encourage others-to prosper and grow in times of stress, suffering, and confusion. He has prepared a place for us; what is more wonderful than that? http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36953&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 When you take a look at our culture, fast food places on almost every corner and countless opportunities to eat whatever you wish, even a committed Christian may never consider Fasting. Yet, one of the classic, Christian aspects of growing deeper in the faith is Fasting. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36952&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 All have sinned, no one is immune therefore we have no right to judge! Hear is the root cause of sin and their various manifestations to how we as Christians can get caught up in a heinous sin too: Being Judgmental. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36951&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 One main factor has to and must come into play for us to live the Christian life, as we should with obedience and love. We are to put on Christ and take off ourselves. This means we are to remove our selfish will and pride and mimic His character to the best of our abilities. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36950&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 We have to realize Christianity has a cost to it. The cost may be big, but we can take comfort it is well worth the cost beyond our understanding! http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36949&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Is the power and love of God enduring in you? Is your Christian life having results to it? The word "therefore" is referring to the results, conclusions, or applications that are to be in our lives from the reasons given. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36947&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 The devil wants to get a hold on us so he can attack to discourage and sway us away from God and His ways. Our defense is simple; we are to stand firm in Christ, pray, and allow His work in us and not ours; what we would bring to the table is just fuel for the devil and his ways! http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36946&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 God is calling us to be proactive with our faith so we can grow and be mature. This requires us to be faithful which requires us to submit and to be humble. The result is respect, cooperation, unity, community, and the power of His Fruit at work. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36945&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Most Christians ignorantly will state that the law has nothing to do with then since they are under grace. But, according to the Bible, this is not the case! http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36944&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 God does not reject us; rather, it is us who reject Him, He goes out of His way to give us the grace we do not deserve. He gives us His Way, even though we continue to fight against Him by hardening our hearts and rejecting His Truth and precepts. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36943&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 The key we need to understand is this, sin entered in the world by one man that affected all people by Adam; but the grace of God, which justified us, comes in the world by one man/God. All of humanity deserved it, Christ did not; thus, yes it is unfair- to God, but not to us! http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36942&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Being a true disciple means having a willingness to trust Him completely in all aspects of life from the highest highs to the lowest lows. It means we are not only willing to trust Him to provide for our salvation, but also for the future. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36958&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 The key to the success of finding and developing faith is simple; it is obedience. We must be ready to serve God rather than our needs, even before we know what the call may be, and take this mindset into life and to others. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36957&view=post&blogid=4189 Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Our perspective is eternity. It is not to be just on money, wealth or power. When we see our life here on earth as a mere rehearsal, and how to learn and build to what is to come in eternity, we can be better prepared to face anything-even dire situations and death, because our eyes and attitude are in Him and not our circumstances! http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36909&view=post&blogid=4189 Tue, 7 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 God asks us to have an "eternal" perspective! The premise is to move us to more maturity by moving our mindset away from the false beliefs and ideas we have built up. What we tend to pursue, in our desires in life, is meaningless against the backdrop of seeking faith and the call that Christ gives us. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36908&view=post&blogid=4189 Tue, 7 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 We have to see the magnificent aspect of what Christ has done for us. We need to see the joy and the hope we are given. This is foundational to life and liberty. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36907&view=post&blogid=4189 Tue, 7 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 There is a Christianity abroad, supposedly evangelical and fundamental, dedicated to making itself easy enough and popular enough for even half-hearted and jaded modern church-goers. http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36905&view=post&blogid=4189 Tue, 7 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400