John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (KJV)
"He who would be great must be fervent in his prayers, fearless in his principles, firm in his purposes, and faithful in his promises." - William Arthur Ward
Greetings to God's most Beloved family, the Church of God. My purpose for this installment of commentary is to stir the reader to live the life of a disciple rather than a mere member. The disciple as opposed to the member is constantly growing and learning new ways to express their faith and values. A member on the other hand attends when required and has no real heart investment in the life of the church.
God is calling us to do more than make appearances to keep our names current on the registry of the church, we are called to serve God, by serving humanity. This· year we propose to make more training available so that each disciple will be able to effectively serve God within their sphere of influence. There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing that the assignment or calling that is upon a person's life is making a difference in the world. You are here because God determined your birth and existence because he has a purpose for your life.
One of the most important aspects of a disciple of Jesus Christ is the Love of God that is shed abroad in their hearts and shared with all we encounter. This idea of loving like God loves is no easy proposition, it is challenging to say the least. The challenge that is set before us daily is to allow Christ to live his life through us without interference from us.
Christ paid the price that we might receive the ability and the authority to represent the Father above. The Word of God reads: "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14-NIV). A disciple learns the Word of the Lord that they might perform his will in their lives. You are more than a member!
