#true discipleship

[bvthomas]

A Grave’s VERDICT: Loveless FAITH Is DEATH

 Introduction: The Tombstone’s Thunder Picture a lone tombstone, its words etched in unyielding stone: “The one not loving remains in death.” These aren’t words that whisper—they roar, splitting the sky above every professing Christian. This is no poet’s lament; it’s God’s verdict, burned into 1 John 3:14. What if your faith, polished by pews and prayers, is a fraud? What if your heart, cold with…

[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…

[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

[peacegrooves]

Two gardens

a dangerous kind of peace Imagine two gardens.At first glance, both seem peaceful: no storms, no sounds of battle.But when you step closer, you notice the difference.The first garden is eerily still.The trees are gray, their leaves unmoving, their roots tangled around broken chains buried in the soil.Statues line the paths—silent, blindfolded figures, their mouths sewn shut.This is the peace of…

[chadbrodrick]

Walking in the Spirit: The Key to True Freedom

True freedom is not found in external achievements but through walking by the Spirit, which enables believers to overcome fleshly desires and experience the abundant life promised by Christ. Daily surrender to the Holy Spirit transforms lives, fosters righteousness, and deepens one’s relationship with God, leading to genuine spiritual freedom.

Many people seek freedom in various ways—through personal achievements, financial security, or self-reliance. However, true freedom is not found in external circumstances but in walking by the Spirit. When we live by the Spirit, we are no longer bound by the desires of the flesh but are empowered to live the abundant life that Christ has promised. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not…

[pastored123]

Order Your Copy of “True Stories” Today

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

[macintaministries]

Four End Time Directives

[rarepears]

Give me an AU where Shen Jiu is taken into Huan Hua as the adoptive son of the Old Palace Master. He's basically the Little Mistress but this is an AU where there is no Little Mistress, just the Young Master Shen Jiu. He's treated like a prince and stuffed into princely outfits and rooms. He's spoiled beyond belief.

But Shen Jiu still remembers the lessons that living under slavers and living on the streets taught him. He's still waiting for the other shoe to drop. So even as he sees the genius female cultivator gets elevated to the position of head discipleship, he's ready with a number of escape plans to protect himself from this potential threat.

Only... this doesn't turn out to be the threat he was worried about. Instead, before his eyes, his so called father (who's faked kindness always rang false) reveals his true colors in imprisoning the Huan Hua head disciple, pregnant with a demon's child, into the Water Prison.

And so Shen Jiu starts his Plan D - a plan he never expected to ever enacted, but one that he imagined for fun. He successfully kills the Old Palace Master (with poison) and assumes leadership of the Huan Hua sect a few months after the fall of the Heavenly Demon Tianlang Jun. Everyone assumed that the stress of all the events had weakened the old cultivator until an illness was enough to kill him, plus Cang Qiong was busy transitioning leadership to the new generation, so Shen Jiu's ascension goes without comment.

All hail Sect Leader Shen Jiu.

[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…

[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 👼🏻🙏💕

[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.

[lurkinginnernarrator]

Wu Yanzi has taken a dangerous job. Shen Jiu is sure of it.

It's the only time his 'benevolent' Shifu ever ensures he's prepared. Most jobs he doesn't even speak to Shen Jiu, simply giving him a quick glance to ensure he was following like an obedient dog.

Today Wu Yanzi ensured all of his supplies were full, all the knives sharpened, the blades and needles dipped in their worst poison, and, most damningly, he checked in on Shen Jiu's health.

Shen Jiu was tempted to fabricate some sort of illness just to observe the man's reaction. He didn't, in the end, his caution winning over his curiosity as it was oft to do nowadays.

"Shifu" Began Shen Jiu, "What's this job about? Who's the target?"

Wu Yanzi, with his shadowed appearance and scoundrelly demeanor, cradled his liquor, and looked down into the liquid pensively. The hairs on the back of Shen Jiu's neck raised further; Wu Yanzi in an introspective mood meant danger. The renegade Shen Jiu called Shifu barreled into most situations without a second thought, the man gifted in the art of survival to a degree that made him look reckless. Imagine how surprising it was for Shen Jiu to learn how calculating the man was. For him to take the time to carefully consider, to prepare? If the precariousness of the job was to the point Shifu stepped carefully, it meant Shen Jiu could very well perish. He had no delusions about the value of his life in the eyes of his master. If it benefited the man more to complete this job, even at the expense of Shen Jiu, his student, he would pay unflinchingly. Wu Yanzi left his seat at the dim, gritty bar, and motioned Shen Jiu to follow him to the inn they were bunking in.

When inside the spartan room, Wu Yanzi threw silencing talismans on every wall. "Shifu?" Shen Jiu said questioningly. "Listen kid, this one is big. And high-profile. It's the head disciple of one of the big four. Yue Qingyuan is the name, and he already has folktales about his power, his exploits, his virtue." Wu Yanzi's voice was low, and intense. His gaze pinned Shen Jiu to the spot. "There will not be a single misstep, not one."

Shen Jiu bent at the waist, his murmur of 'Yes Shifu' tinged with a sincerity, and obedience, the youth rarely felt. Destruction nipped at his heels, and he felt the familiar inferno's heat on his back as his Shifu took the time to teach him, perfect his stances, even his manners. He could almost smell the acrid smoke as his part in the plot, the assassination, was revealed. The possibility of death lit his nerves on fire, the thrill, the adrenaline blazing through him like molten mercury. Shen Jiu wasn't sure if it was just part of who he was, or if it was through his up-bringing, but the charge that brushes with mortality brought him were as addicting as the liquor and women his Shifu was a slave to. It was the true reason he kept to the side of Wu Yanzi. Shen Jiu had learned enough that he was confident in his ability to thrive without the man, and it wasn't as if Shen Jiu was particularly endeared to him. Wu Yanzi didn't afford Shen Jiu any sort of guarantee of safety either, their mere association endangering Shen Jiu. muchless so protecting him. However, in the roaring aftermath of slaughter, as Shen Jiu stood in front of his masterpiece of wrath and vengeance, as his blood still sung for violence, as his hands itched for destruction, a hunger was stoked within him. It was the type of hunger that came after starvation, unholy, ravenous, consuming the host as it consumes the world. Death had chased him for so long, to the point where Shen Jiu became addicted to the chase. Shen Jiu just didn’t like seeking the brush of death on his own. It grated against his higher faculties. He could justify his discipleship to Wu Yanzi though. It did benefit him. So master and disciple used each other to chase their own highs, the knowledge of the dance unspoken between them. The arrangement would work until it didn’t, and whoever was faster to draw was the one who would walk away. It was with this mindset that Shen Jiu walked into Cang Qiong’s Qiong Ding Peak, his footsteps silent, the night heavy, and his blood singing.

[orthodoxadventure]

Patriarch of Jerusalem: Pope Francis was a beacon of peace and a tireless witness to Christ’s mercy

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, April 21, 2025

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ,

With a heart heavy in sorrow yet anchored in the promise of the Risen Lord, I join the faithful around the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, who today has returned to the house of the Heavenly Father.

Pope Francis’ life was a luminous testament to the Gospel, a tireless witness to Christ’s boundless mercy, a steadfast champion for the poor, and a beacon of peace and reconciliation among all peoples. According to the Lord’s call: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Even in frailty and suffering, the late Holy Father revealed the strength of true discipleship, embracing the Cross with humility and hope, teaching that the life of a Christian is one of sacrificial love. His final wishes, for a funeral marked by simplicity and faith, reflect his soul’s devotion to the Risen Christ, and to the Church as a humble flock of believers, not as a worldly kingdom.

We entrust his noble soul to the infinite compassion of our Lord, and pray: “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23)

May the memory of Pope Francis be eternal, and may his spirit of love, justice, and peace continue to inspire many spiritual and secular leaders for generations to come.

Theophilos III

Patriarch of Jerusalem [x]