DISCIPLES, THEN FRIENDS

02/06/2024

"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).

In the initial stages of embracing Christianity, you will receive guidance through instructions. Your spiritual leader or leaders will provide direction on what actions you should take. The reason for this is that you ought to get the right foundations. Otherwise, your journey as a Christian could be compromised by the discipline you do not receive. 

For example, irrespective of your position in our church, you ought to fast at least once every week. Why? Fasting is how you humble your soul and body to align with your recreated spirit where Christ dwells. There are opportunities, interpretations and meanings that you will never understand until your body and soul are brought in alignment with your spirit from where you serve the Lord. The Psalmist writes, "...I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart" (Psalm 35:13). If you don't follow the instruction to fast, a time could come when God will resist you simply because your soul has been filled with pride from the things of this life that you know, and should have shed by fasting. James 4:6 says, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Another foundational instruction you have been getting is to meditate on the Word. The only way to succeed as a Christian begins with meditation. Now, if you never learn to meditate as instructed, you may never grow from being Jesus' disciple to becoming His friend. 

This is why you must never be casual with instructions. Friendship with Jesus starts with keeping His instructions. He said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21).

Until there is true discipleship, there can be no real friendship with the Lord. To this effect, Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."

So, in this season, pay attention to instructions and watch to do them because the relationship you seek to bolster with the Lord starts with the seeds of obedience you plant. 

Have a beautiful day!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am wise in the Lord to follow spiritual instructions, knowing that my relationship with Jesus is enhanced by my knowing His will and doing it. I only know progress this year, and my victories are a testament to the goodness of the Lord in my life. Hallelujah!

Prayer Points

• Pray against sudden or accidental death. 

• Cancel every negative claim against your destiny and interests. 

• Pray for those who are pregnant or who will become pregnant that their pregnancy will be without complications and that the delivery will be peaceful. Pray for the health of mother and child. Declare that they are protected from mistreatment or wrong prescriptions by medical personnel. 

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 39-40; Matthew 24:1-22