DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: November 26 The Road of Discipleship Galatians 1:11-17 After Paul's conversion, he disappeared into the desert for three years, during which time the Holy Spirit instructed him in the ways of God. He emerged, ready to communicate divine truth. The Lord speaks to believers so that they will comprehend the truth, conform to the truth, and communicate the truth. These same steps form a roadmap to discipleship. What happened during Paul's desert years was only the beginning of a life-long process—God renewed his mind and transformed him into the image of Christ. For the apostle, that change began with connecting his rich biblical knowledge to the revelation that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Paul knew Scripture thoroughly, but the truth that Jesus was the promised Messiah made him reconsider the foundation he'd been trusting. Everything he knew about God had to be reevaluated in light of this new information. Paul had a history of wanting to please God, so the Holy Spirit no doubt found him a willing pupil. The apostle's spirit had to be shaped according to the Father's will. And the Lord kept working on him long after Paul left the desert and began his ministry. Every person who reads his letters is a witness to the work of God in a submissive man. The Lord's discipleship road map looks similar for every believer. Like Paul, you are the Holy Spirit's student, and the knowledge you reap from Scripture should be changing your life. Be like the apostle in this way to become a disciple maker by sharing what you learn with others.from Dr. Charles Stanley, Practicing Thankfulness at Thanksgiving Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. - William Arthur Ward Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. - Psalm 100:4 It was 1636 and the Thirty Years’ War was raging. Death, disease, and economic collapse enveloped Europe in a fog of terror. One German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried five thousand of his parishioners in one year—an average of fifteen people per day! Yet under the shadow of death and amidst a crucible of chaos, Rinkart penned this beautiful prayer for his children: Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices Who wondrous things had done In whom His world rejoices. Who, from our mother’s arms Hath led us on our way With countless gifts of love And still is ours today. Was this man in denial? Out of touch? Hardly. Rinkart was a person of incredible faith. He knew thanksgiving flows from within as a result of acknowledging the love of God at all times. It is not dependent on outward circumstance. - Steve Arterburn
The Road of Discipleship
Galatians 1:11-17
After Paul's conversion, he disappeared into the desert for three years, during which time the Holy Spirit instructed him in the ways of God. He emerged, ready to communicate divine truth.
The Lord speaks to believers so that they will comprehend the truth, conform to the truth, and communicate the truth. These same steps form a roadmap to discipleship. What happened during Paul's desert years was only the beginning of a life-long process—God renewed his mind and transformed him into the image of Christ. For the apostle, that change began with connecting his rich biblical knowledge to the revelation that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.
Paul knew Scripture thoroughly, but the truth that Jesus was the promised Messiah made him reconsider the foundation he'd been trusting. Everything he knew about God had to be reevaluated in light of this new information. Paul had a history of wanting to please God, so the Holy Spirit no doubt found him a willing pupil.
The apostle's spirit had to be shaped according to the Father's will. And the Lord kept working on him long after Paul left the desert and began his ministry. Every person who reads his letters is a witness to the work of God in a submissive man.
The Lord's discipleship road map looks similar for every believer. Like Paul, you are the Holy Spirit's student, and the knowledge you reap from Scripture should be changing your life. Be like the apostle in this way to become a disciple maker by sharing what you learn with others.from Dr. Charles Stanley, Practicing Thankfulness at Thanksgiving
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. - William Arthur Ward
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. - Psalm 100:4
It was 1636 and the Thirty Years’ War was raging. Death, disease, and economic collapse enveloped Europe in a fog of terror. One German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried five thousand of his parishioners in one year—an average of fifteen people per day! Yet under the shadow of death and amidst a crucible of chaos, Rinkart penned this beautiful prayer for his children:
Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices
Who wondrous things had done
In whom His world rejoices.
Who, from our mother’s arms
Hath led us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.
Was this man in denial? Out of touch? Hardly. Rinkart was a person of incredible faith. He knew thanksgiving flows from within as a result of acknowledging the love of God at all times. It is not dependent on outward circumstance.
- Steve Arterburn