The Word: Luke 9: 23 (KJV)
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Dig Deeper: Luke 9: 23 – 25 (MESS)
23-27 Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.
Think about it
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Let’s go back to our memory verse this month: Luke 9: 23
Following God requires our consent, our will power, our choice. But it involves submitting under his leadership.
The word leadership means to be led…..
In other words a disciple is required to follow divine leading on a daily basis.
The message bible paints it beautifully:
“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am.
If we are to be led of God, We can no longer say: My way only or the high way. What about when we are not sure of where God is leading us? We still need to trust and follow as long as we know he is actually the one leading us.
7 Things that happens when the Lord is your shepherd:
Psalm 23: 1
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. – (He will not allow you to lack. He will somehow meet your needs)
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (He will lead you to new opportunities – pasture green)
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (He will keep you at peace in the midst of the storm)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (He will protect you, comfort you and reassure you)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (He will you thrive right in front of opposition, he will anoint you with his spirit, you will enjoy the overflow)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (His goodness and mercy will always be with you. His presence will not be withdrawn from you)
A true disciple has decided to be shepherded by the master and that means trust and reliance on the him. And when the master is the one in your driver’s seat, then he will take care of everything.
Nuggets:
A true disciple is a sheep of the master
Our memory verse for March 2018
Luke 9: 23
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 3 lines:
Line 1: And he said to them all,
Line 2: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
Line 3: and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord help me to submit myself to you fully
On Grace:
Masterlife Workbook: The Church is embarking on weeks of discipleship workbook study: Masterlife now on the 2nd workbook: The Disciple’s personality
