#true discipleship

[kdmiller55]

A New Commandment

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is…

[compassionmattersmost]

The Heart of True Discipleship: Understanding Matthew 7:21-23

Introduction In today’s world, where outward appearances and superficial commitments can easily overshadow genuine devotion, the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 resonate with profound urgency. This passage challenges believers to reflect deeply on the nature of their faith and relationship with Christ. The Words of Jesus “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of…

[mindfulldsliving]

Faithful Obedience in the Spiritual Wilderness: Navigating Challenges with Scriptural Insights

The challenges and trials we face can often feel overwhelming, but through faithful obedience, we can find guidance and strength.

The Lord Commands Lehi’s Family to Leave Jerusalem Navigating Spiritual Wilderness: Faithful Obedience Lessons from Scripture Have you ever felt lost in your spiritual journey, like you’re wandering through a wilderness with no clear direction? The concept of navigating a spiritual wilderness is not just metaphorical but deeply rooted in scripture. The challenges and trials we face can often…

[dramoor]

"In the Incarnation the whole human race recovers the dignity of the image of God.  Thereafter, any attack, even on the least of men, is an attack on Christ, who took on the form of man, and in his own Person restored the image of God in all.  Through our relationship with the Incarnation, we recover our true humanity, and at the same time are delivered from that perverse individualism which is the consequence of sin, and recover our solidarity with all mankind."

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

[pastorkevinc]

Why were they all willing to die?

Why were they all willing to die? As far as we know, only the Apostle John died a natural death. All the other Apostles of Jesus died for their faith. They were killed because of their fidelity to the message of Jesus. That fact begs the question: Why were they all willing to die?   Why the Disciples Were Willing to Die Why were they all willing to die? I think this question can be answered in…

[quotesfromscripture]

Jesus said to them, 'Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.'

Matthew 19:28-29 NRSVA (1995)

[pastored123]

Order Your Copy of “True Stories” Today

https://a.co/d/0VUExsR

[macintaministries]

Four End Time Directives

[tabernacleheart]

Discipleship results in freedom. "The truth will make you free." "In His service is perfect freedom." Discipleship brings us four freedoms: 1. It brings us freedom from fear. The man who is a disciple never again has to walk alone. He walks forever in the company of Jesus, and in that company fear is gone. 2. It brings freedom from self. Many a man fully recognizes that his greatest handicap is his own self. And he may in despair cry out: "I cannot change myself. I have tried, but it is impossible." But the power and presence of Jesus can re-create a man until he is altogether new. 3. It brings freedom from other people. There are many whose lives are dominated by the fear of what other people may think and say. H. G. Wells once said that 'the voice of our neighbours sounds louder in our ears than the voice of God.' The disciple is the man who has ceased to care what people say, because he thinks only of what God says. 4. It brings freedom from sin. Many a man has come to the stage when he sins, not because he wants to, but because he cannot help it. His sins have so mastered him that, try as he will, he cannot break away from them. Discipleship breaks the chains which bind us to them and enables us to be the persons we know we ought to be.

William Barclay

[holyspiritgirl]

Study a bible verse with me 🤍

John 12:24 (NLT) says:

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.”

• Through scripture, Jesus uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth. In agriculture, a single grain of wheat must be buried in the soil to grow into a plant. So technically, it’s “death” is essential for new growth and multiplication.

• The "death" of the kernel symbolizes the necessary sacrifice and transformation required for new life. For Jesus, this metaphor directly points to His impending crucifixion. His physical death is essential for the spiritual renewal and salvation of humanity. Just as the seed must die to bring forth new life, Jesus must undergo His death to bring about the promise of eternal life.

• This verse emphasizes that Jesus’ sacrificial death will not be in vain but will result in a "plentiful harvest of new lives." This indicates that His death will lead to the growth of many new believers and the establishment of a new spiritual reality. The “new kernels” represent the new lives and believers that will emerge from His sacrificial act.

• This principle extends beyond Jesus’ own death. It serves as a broader teaching on discipleship and sacrifice. As followers of Christ, we are also called to embrace the idea that personal sacrifice and self-denial are often necessary for spiritual growth and fruitful ministry. The idea is that through sacrifice, individuals can contribute to a greater spiritual harvest and the spread of God's Kingdom.

• The verse highlights a counterintuitive truth in the Kingdom of God: true success and growth often come through sacrifice and loss. This perspective challenges worldly views on success and encourages us to embrace sacrificial love and service as pathways to spiritual fruitfulness.

• In summary, John 12:24 uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat to show why Jesus’ death was necessary for a great spiritual harvest and crucial for our salvation. He died for our sins out of immense love, so we wouldn’t have to face death ourselves. His sacrifice leads to new spiritual life and growth, not only for Himself but also for those who follow Him and are called to live selflessly.

Have a blessed day 👼🏻🙏💕

[compassionmattersmost]

Embracing Forgiveness and Compassion: A Reflection on John 8:11

In John 8:11, Jesus offers a profound lesson in forgiveness and compassion. The verse reads: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” This statement, made in a moment of deep moral and spiritual crisis, encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ teachings about grace and transformation. The Context of Compassion Jesus encounters a woman accused of adultery, brought before Him by those eager to…

[mindfulldsliving]

Insights and Applications from Neal A. Maxwell's 'The Promise of Discipleship': Living Faithfully Today

Available for purchase through my Amazon Affiliate Link: Your Purchase helps support Mindful Latter-day Saint Christian Living and Apologetics Neal A. Maxwell’s writings on discipleship offer steady guidance in a world where faith often feels tested. In the opening chapter of The Promise of Discipleship, he presents timeless lessons on living with integrity, staying anchored in Christ, and…

[twooftheluckyones]

Disciples

Pictured above left to right: Zepar, he's the head chef. Gemma, she's lead disciple. Hano, he's the head of arts and crafts, plus sin.

Any god needs faith, but the devotion of a common follower pales in comparison to that of a dedicated disciple. In the world of Luck of the Lamb, disciples are a select handful of the many hundreds of people of the cult, numbering roughly around a dozen. The path to becoming a disciple is long and rigorous. A follower must first dedicate a serious amount of time to studying. Their initiation test will involve being heavily questioned on divine history, arts, fluency in the demonic language, and many more topics that the average follower will not be normally educated on. While school is provided for every member, the topics are simple and only begin to brush against the large degree required to pass discipleship initiation. Additionally, a follower making their attempt will need to prove their loyalty and devotion for many months or years prior, regularly attending sermons and participating in the more basic rituals to build their rapport. Some followers try for decades to become a disciple, and for many it never becomes more than a idle fantasy. If the follower passes their initial exam, they will be dubbed an initiate and taken into the fold. Disciples do not typically mingle with the outside followers, living inside an exclusive section of the temple only accessible to disciples. The initiate will be given a necklace of proven loyalty, but they are far from receiving their halo. For five years they remain on probation, never leaving the protected inner area as they slowly adjust to their new life. A disciple gives themselves fully to their faith, expected to abandon their possessions, family, and more. They are expected to follow any order, perform any task, and do it all with a smile on their face knowing its for the good of the cult. What happens beyond this point is known only to those who pass it, and there is no return. If one fails their initiation, either by attempting to leave or failing to integrate properly, they are never heard from again.

At the end of their probation, an initiate is tasked with the final test of their unwavering loyalty. They must place their head on the chopping block, passing into divinity like the Lamb they worship did as well. Resurrection is only used in this exact situation, so the initiate has no way of knowing what will truly happen, but they must go in without hesitation to prove they trust fully in the divine. They must be willing to die without question. Only after a new scar decorates their neck upon their revival do they earn their halo and become a true disciple.

Many followers have an idealized concept of what a disciple does. Many see the mysterious lifestyle, living so close to the fabled Lamb, and can only dream. The reality is much more intense. Disciples follow a strict schedule of daily chores and prayer. Initiates are often tasked with preparing meals, cleaning, and other rudimentary tasks. Disciples themselves have many duties, ranging from delivering sermons and minor blessings to the wider flock and producing art in glory of the Lamb and Death.

But of the duties, one of the most important was rituals. The average follower has very little to do with complex rituals, which for the vast majority of the flock have been adjusted to seasonal festivals more approachable to the uninitiated. However, beyond the locked doors of the temple complex, disciples still perform the horrifying and intense rituals that the faith demands. Deep in the temple, dissident prisoners are sacrificed, lust flows freely, and true power is wrought. Their necklaces, given to them upon becoming a disciple, allow them to tap into the devotion of the flock and become a conduit for it. While normally they then pass it on to their gods, they may use some to use curses if needed.

[journeytothewestresearch]

I've read your articles on your blog! I can't thank you enough for your extensive research, you have helped thousand of people into enlightment!

Curious though, you said on one of them that you aren't a fans of BM:W storyline. Care to elaborate why you dislike it?

Thank you for the kind words.

I have a number of problems with the story. The following is presented in no particular order:

The game continues a trend that I last noticed in the film Jiang Ziya (姜子牙, 2020): gods are the true villains. This just seems like an attempt to maintain the status quo of the CCP's institutionalized atheism (I'm an atheist by the way, just not anti-theist). Someone please correct me if you think I'm overreaching.

Wukong forsaking his Buddhahood makes no sense as his attainment of enlightenment is the culmination of his original story. The game spits in the face of his great sacrifices and efforts by making such changes. Also, Buddhahood is a state of being and not just a title that can be discarded.

Monkey's plan to remove the headband via reincarnation (or whatever you want to call it) just seems really, really convoluted.

The many changes to the original characters' established story arcs are unnecessary. For example, Red Boy "finishes" his discipleship under Guanyin and returns to being a dick. So dumb.