fight the fight

Today I was reading John, and I can't help but notice how frustrated Jesus keeps getting with everyone who does not understand what he is trying to say. It makes me laugh but makes me feel really stupid all at the same time.

My mom leaves her bible open every morning at the place that she read before she goes to work. When I wake up in the morning I love getting her bible and reading the same thing she read. Today was Psalm 32:

Oh, what a joy for those

whose rebellion is forgiven,

whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what a joy for those

whose record the Lord has cleared of sin,

whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin,

I was weak and miserable,

and I groaned all day long.

Day and night your hand of disciple was heavy on me.

My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

and stopped trying to hide them.

I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord."

And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there

is time,

they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgement.

For you are my hiding place;

you protect me from trouble.

You surround me with songs of victory.

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."

Many sorrows come to the wicked,

but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!

Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the concept of having disciples. I feel like it is a word that is heard quit often in the church but lacks a true meaning to most people, especially those of youth. By jumping in with the interns at Radius I started to understand more what it means to be discipling to others and how important it really is. I mean, the entire purpose of our existence is to spread the love of Christ and let his glory be known. So how can we undermine something so big as making disciples?Christ made it a point at the very beginning of his ministry to have disciples. Making disciples is a true blessing, and is also incredibly challenging. It is just one more example of how to fight for the Kingdom every single day. And if there is one thing I learned from Stuart Fuller this summer, it is that if you don't have any disciples, and you are not seeking out any, there is something totally wrong with you. haha

So I encourage you, as Christians, to seek disciples, love on other people so much that it hurts, and pray for God's love to help you love others, because you CANNOT do it with your love alone. I feel strongly that there is something special about our generation, that God is moving in most excellent ways. All we have to do is let him in, run the race, and fight the fight.