Tonight's Blog for April 3, 2013

Tonight's small group was a chance to talk about the things from last night's blog. I think it is good to see the

studies we have chosen as "dates", and to move our level of "dating" to a deeper level. We are still attempting to get every one to the next level, becoming "engaged" to the text. I know that the word "engaged" in dating means that you will, at some time and place, take a knee, produce a token of your love and pop the question. "Will you… " well, you know what that question is. Did you know that this process of commitment to a specific scripture will have some parallel lines and incidental occurrences? We are going forward together in our effort at growing into the kinds of disciples Jesus called us to be and to become. 

In His "great commission speech" with the apostles, Matthew28:16-20, Jesus called on Peter, James, John, and the other apostles, to do a specific task for HIM.  "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Since HE is with us always, and has all authority, we would do well to seek HIS will in this matter. Our goal should always be to hear these words from our LORD: "well done, good and faithful servant"! His way of changing the world was to come into the world, seek out a handful of faithful men and women, spend some time with them, and then leave. Not to leave them or us alone, but to leave us with HIS HOLY SPIRIT. Becoming a disciple is impossible, except that this task becomes possible with HIs Plan and His Promise and His Partnership with the Holy Spirit. 

Frankly, some of us disciples have made this harder than it was intended to be. over the next few weeks, my goal is to help to recover the simplicity of HIS Call, to go to a short but powerful book by THE HOLY SPIRIT, who

whispered into the life and ear of one of those disciples. I am talking about a transition into the answers of John the Apostle in his short book we have called 1 John. Will you take a chance with me over the next few weeks and learn how to adjust your "backpack" and "lighten up your load!" Our goal is walking LIGHT, and walking IN the light, and Becoming the Light, walking always toward HIS Light! 

God Bless you tonight! big marv