Two-A-Days

Romans 12:1-3

Traditionally, this is the time of summer when two-a-day football practices begin.
As the name implies, two-a-days are where players participate in two practices every day… for two weeks… in the heat of August.

It’s a time that separates the men from the boys. It’s a time when you run to the point of exhaustion… and then get sick. It’s a time when you have muscles ache that you didn’t even know you had. It’s a time to prove yourself.
The purpose of these grueling practices is to get into shape physically. But it is also to get into shape mentally. In effect, it is the coaches saying to you, “You’ve had all summer to do whatever you wanted to do, and now you’re mine”!

By spending more time with the players, the coaches can establish the culture of the team. They stress sacrifice, discipline, and commitment. It’s an emphasis on team over individual. In some ways, that’s what Paul was calling the Roman believers to do also; a fully committed sacrificial life.

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

Then, like the coaches demanding a radical change from the summer, Paul calls for the Romans to a life of change; a transformed life.

² And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].          AMP

Two-a-days are a physical, mental and emotional boot camp to prepare players for a season of football games. As Christians, we need “two-a-days” that prepare us spiritually, emotionally and mentally for life. These two-a-days come through worshiping the Living God by offering your bodies as a living sacrifice with all your heart, soul, mind and strength in everything you do and say.

Discipleship Training, Jesus’ Style

Bible reading: Mark 6: 7-13

 

The disciples had been spending much time with Jesus, being … discipled. J  He taught them in many ways, by preaching and teaching, through parables, by healings and other miracles, and most of all, by means of example.  He revealed truths about Himself and the Kingdom of Heaven, as this band of men moved around together from place to place.

 

Now it was time for the 12 disciples’ first practicum of their on-the-job training! They were deemed ready enough to share and serve, as they had observed Jesus doing. He sent them out two-by-two (for mutual support perhaps?) with a list of instructions:

1)      Take nothing with you except the clothes on your backs, sandals, and a staff

2)      Choose only one house per town as your base headquarters during your stay (find people of peace to rest your peace on)

3)      Don’t stick around any place that does not welcome you or listen to you

4)      Remember that I am sending you out in my authority and power

 

What life lessons did Jesus want His disciples to learn through this experience?

1)      Depend on the hospitality of those you minister to (Matt 10:10 – for a worker is worthy of his support); My Father will provide what you need through them.

2)      Work only with those who are open to learning – look for people who want to hear, learn and be discipled. Stay with them for a period of time to give opportunity for them to both observe your life in Me as well as help provide your needs. Allow a give and take relationship to develop between you.

3)      Don’t waste your time trying to convince someone to be a disciple who isn’t ready for commitment to discipleship. Move on to help those eager to grow.

4)      Know that in My power and authority you can do anything: preach such that people repent and turn to Me; cast out demons; heal sick people everywhere you go.

 

This is Discipleship Training at its best, taught by the Master Trainer Himself! We would do well to study more about how Jesus chose, taught, and sent out His disciples – that we may learn to be and to make disciples more effectively.

Complete Commitment

John 15:18-25

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015%3A18-25&version=NIV;ESV

  

On January 8, 1956, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries, were killed by members of the Auca Indians in Ecuador. They had landed their plane to make friendly contact with the tribe.

 

On April 20, 1999, Rachel Scott was the first student to be shot and killed in the Columbine High School massacre. One of the shooters asked her if she still believed in God. When Rachel answered him that she did, he killed her.

 

Although very different circumstances, these six people died because of their faith in Christ. There have been many other Christian martyrs during the past two thousand years. In fact, according to an April 14, 2017 Fox News report, as many as 90,000 Christians each year are martyred.

 

Jesus spoke the following words to his disciples as he prepared them for what was to come. He seems to be saying, get ready to be martyred for following me.

 

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.     ESV

 

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples at a specific moment in time and in history. What do they mean to us today? Should we expect to be martyred? And if we’re not, does that mean we’re not following Christ? I don’t believe so.

 

For sure, Rachel Scott did not anticipate that on that day she would lose her life because she said that she believed in God. She was being obedient to Christ. That is what we are called to do regardless of whether it means going to the jungles of Ecuador, the hallways of your high school or the office at your job.

 

The good news is that regardless of where God is calling you to serve Him, He promises that you will not be alone; that you will not struggle alone. In John 14, Jesus made this promise to his followers.

 

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth.     NIV

 

His promise is still true today.

 

 

 

Don’t Ever Give Up!

To summarize this week in Nehemiah………………………………………

“We lose our way, we get back up again.

It’s never too late to get back up again.

Get up! Get up! You’re gonna shine again.

You may be knocked down, but not out forever.”

Listen to Get Back Up by: Toby Mac

Nehemiah never gave up. Time and time again he corrected, rebuked, and redirected the people in Jerusalem. He was insistent that “we will not neglect the house of our God.” Chapter 10.

As we remember we are just as human as those people in Jerusalem, and just as sinful, we must also be reminded that God is still the same as well. He is all forgiving, and that is very good news for us!

We are always in need of repentance, reform, and re-commitment. Change is possible, yet difficult. We tend to revert back to what has been the norm for us in the past even when we are the right track. It’s tiring to keep getting back up on that horse, and it’s exhausting to hang on for dear life and begin again with a humble heart, but it is always worth it.

We have an open invitation to turn to the Lord, trust in Him and try again. He will always welcome us back with open arms once we pry our heads out of the mouth of our predator!

Read/Listen to:  Nehemiah 13:6-12      Nehemiah 13:15-18   Nehemiah 13:22-27

The Third Visit

2 Corinthians 12-13

　
Paul seems to have spent more time visiting, writing letters and probably praying for the Corinthian church than any of his other churches. In some ways, the Corinthians were his "problem child". In fact, 2 Corinthians was written because a group of men, who called themselves apostles, were bad-mouthing Paul despite all that he had done for the Corinthians.

These men were false teachers who were challenging Paul’s personal integrity and his authority as an apostle. That is why Paul is boasting about his hardships and suffering. In essence, he is defending himself to the Corinthians in order to validate his ministry and therefore his apostleship.

It would be easier for Paul to just quit or to give up on the Corinthians or to rationalize taking the easy way out of not confronting them. But he doesn’t do that. He cares too much for them. He loves the Lord too much. So he keeps reaching out to them. According to my study Bible, Paul wrote them four times and visited them three times. This is more than he did with any other church. Why? Paul answers this question himself.

"Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you." 12:14
If I was a Corinthian and read this it might bring a tear to my eye. Paul doesn’t want anything from them, but them. On the one hand that is very touching, but on the other hand it is kind of scary. Giving yourself is always harder than giving your possessions.

"Everything we do dear friends is for your strengthening". 12:19
Following this verse Paul speaks of expectations, both his and the Corinthians. He makes himself vulnerable by sharing his fears that when he arrives everything could fall apart. Despite his feelings he continues forward for his third visit so that the Corinthians might be strengthened.

Doesn’t God work in our lives in the same way? Doesn’t He keep drawing us closer to Him? Isn’t He faithful in our relationship with Him? Hasn’t He sacrificed much for us?

Even though we turn from Him. Even though we let others lead us astray. Even though we find sin more enjoyable than sanctification. He continues towards His "third visit" with us. And He doesn’t want our possessions. He wants us – every part of our being.

Therefore, don’t hold anything back. Turn it all over to the Loving God who gave His only Son for you.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%2012-13&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Cor.12-2Cor.13

Until death do us part! - Matthew 19:1-15

“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what

God has joined together, let no one separate (Matthew 19:6)

"God created man and woman," (Genesis 1:27) and He instituted marriage. The scripture quote above was the original plan. These verses are very powerful, especially the words, "let no one separate."

My husband and I are approaching our 41st wedding anniversary. We have often talked about why so many marriages fail and we came to the conclusion, people give up too easily. Society has made it simple to escape this union. Laws have been modified so there is 'no fault'. So why not bail when the going gets rough?  Because a marriage relationship is

• challenging
• worth the effort
• a gift from God

Our first few years together were very difficult, but we didn't quit. By our 12th anniversary we both started to have a personal relationship with Jesus and life became do-able. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Eccl 4:12) Note, I said do-able, not easy. It still is not easy; it is never easy. There are seasons more comfortable than others; but all seasons take work, commitment and dedication—all wrapped up in love.

Relationships are hard work - any relationship.  What do you think about this?

To read the text for today go here.