Friday Night Blog, March 22, 2013

Have you thought lately about your reason for being a Disciple for Jesus? Have you asked your self about your level of commitment to him? My friends always seem to ask me the toughest questions! One was asked by my friend Tony. He asked, "How do you know if you are totally committed to GOD? How will you know?"

Another friend named Brian asked a similar but still tough question,  "What privileges will I receive from joining this Church?" This question came after a few weeks of classes.  My answer, "let me tell you, that is the wrong question, since membership doesn't give privileges, but responsibilities!" What I meant to say was that we are more interested in "True Blue Discipleship." We are more interested in making sure folks are going to Heaven, and that each of us is using our time well for our LORD. Privilege follows responsibility. 

I have been thinking about this test, the "True Blue Disciples Test" since we started this blog, and since I started preparing for a class for the young men in our Home school group. I need to look back on the day or the week, and ask myself a few questions. Here are a few that I am considering. What do you think? How would you respond if I asked you?  

1. SAMPLE ACCOUNTABILITY Questions for Growing Christians: 1) Have you been spending time with God on a regular basis? 2) Have you compromised your integrity in any way?  3) Has your thought life been pure? 4) How much time did you spend in prayer this week?  5) Did you pray for the others in this group? 6) Did you put yourself in an awkward situation with a woman? 7) Did you accomplish your spiritual goals this week? Did you set any?  8) How have you demonstrated a servant's heart? 9) Do you treat others as people loved by God? 10) What significant thing did you do for your family? 11) What was your biggest disappointment? How did you decide to handle it? 12) What was your biggest joy? Did you thank God? 13) What do you see as your number one need for next week? 14) Are you satisfied with the time you spent with the Lord this week? 15) Did you take time to show compassion for others in need? 16) Did you control your tongue? Did your tongue control you? 17) Did you pray and read God's Word this week? What did you gain from this time?  18) What ways have you stepped out in faith since we last met? 19) What ways has God blessed you this week? And what disappointments consumed your thoughts this week? 20) How has your relationship with Christ been changing?  21) Did you worship in church this week? 22) Have you shared your faith this week? How?  23) What have you done for someone else this week?

Remember, these questions were for us to use as thought starters. This weekend's sermon includes a question that each of us should be able to ask, about the Cross, the Real Cross that Jesus accepted for us. The question, "Have I taken my Cross and followed HIM, daily?" When we can say, "yes," then we will be ready for my friend, Tony's question. I believe we will have an answer for my friend, Brian too. Total commitment includes a cross, daily, and excludes any personal expectations or privileges. The cost of discipleship is exactly what we allow it to be. ALL that we are, no more no less. 

LAST Question each time: "Have you been truthful about everything we have discussed?" Without truthfulness, we can't be growing Disciples… GOD BLESS you, Marv