Today's Reading: Luke 9: 18-27
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Luke 9: 18-27
Bible Study
Today's passage is about the second part of our claiming to be a Christian. There are so many people claiming themselves to be Christians but what they say and what they do are so contrary to being a Christian.
It was so good for Peter to acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah. But, what we need to know is that Jesus right away told Peter that if he knew who he is then he needed to follow what he commanded him to even to die.
N.T. Wright says:
Jesus swift movement, from asking who they think he is to summoning them to follow him even to the death, shows clearly enough that we cannot separate thinking from action in the christian faith. As Jesus said earlier, it's no use saying 'Lord, Lord,' if you don't do what he says. Jesus' identity and his vocation are tied so tightly together that if you want to have anything to do with him you have to take the whole package or nothing at all. There are no half measures in the kingdom of God.
I know so many non-Christians who told me the reason for them not becoming a Christian is because they have seen too many Christians claiming themselves as Christians but living a life worse than anyone they know. It is such a shame!
Rise up Christians! We need to be a 100% Christian! There isn't 50% Christian!
Rise up!
It was so good for Peter to acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah. But, what we need to know is that Jesus right away told Peter that if he knew who he is then he needed to follow what he commanded him to even to die.
N.T. Wright says:
Jesus swift movement, from asking who they think he is to summoning them to follow him even to the death, shows clearly enough that we cannot separate thinking from action in the christian faith. As Jesus said earlier, it's no use saying 'Lord, Lord,' if you don't do what he says. Jesus' identity and his vocation are tied so tightly together that if you want to have anything to do with him you have to take the whole package or nothing at all. There are no half measures in the kingdom of God.
I know so many non-Christians who told me the reason for them not becoming a Christian is because they have seen too many Christians claiming themselves as Christians but living a life worse than anyone they know. It is such a shame!
Rise up Christians! We need to be a 100% Christian! There isn't 50% Christian!
Rise up!
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: No 50% Christian!
What I received today is a warning for those 50% Christians! Well, I had been one of those for quite some years! Claiming that I was a Christian, but doing things far away from being a Christian. Jesus used all kinds of way to change me, slowly and slowly and slowly... Wow! It's such a slow process for me! How about you? How does Jesus change you to take the whole package?
Jesus says, "If you come after me, you must deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow me." There is no 50% Christian! You have to take the whole package! No half way measures in the Kingdom of God!
Jesus says, "If you come after me, you must deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow me." There is no 50% Christian! You have to take the whole package! No half way measures in the Kingdom of God!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead us to come after you willing to take up our cross to follow you daily. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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Create in Me A Clean heart
Chinese praise song - 我的心你要稱頌耶和華 Praise the Lord, O My Soul
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