KHANDIE'S KORNER - December 12, 2004

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Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

ROSE.gif (9864 bytes)This Weeks Message- (scripture taken from King James Version)

"DISCIPLESHIP"

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to OBSERVE ALL THINGS whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’  Amen.” (Matt 28:16-20) 

A disciple simply put is one who learns of Christ, believes on the doctrine of Christ, follows after his example for Christian living, and teaches others the same.  The Lord gave a great commission upon his ascension to the Father and that was: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen”  The NKJV reads as: “Go Therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  Amen”  The Apostles of Christ took this commandment very seriously and immediately began declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord to as many as would hear and receive.  Their message was so anointed by the Holy Spirit that it would pierce the hearts of man, causing them to ask of the Apostles: “What must I do to be saved?”   Once they received the gospel, repented of their sins and were baptized they then were taught  the commandments of the Lord and the importance of following after his example.   

This great commission from the Lord was not given only for his apostles during that time, but is commanded of born again professing believers in the church today.   However, sadly there is not much in the area of discipleship in the church today as the focus tend to be more on MEMBERSHIP than on “DISCIPLESHIP”.  In the church today, we have adhered to one portion of scripture while neglecting the other and yet the two go hand in hand.  For example, we have preached the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to countless of souls, and many have heard the good news and have received it well.  But, how many who have heard truly REPENTED of their sins, before repeating what the church calls “the sinners prayer”?  There may be countless of souls who prayed a prayer, but how many prayed from the heart before declaring the words “I accept you Jesus as my Lord and Savior”?   The bible declares that repentance AND remission of sins should be preached in the name of Jesus among all nations, but VERY LITTLE is preached on REPENTANCE and yet without repentance, one cannot TRULY come to Christ and receive remission of sins.  REPENTANCE comes first, and then sins are forgiven NOT the other way around.  This is the first error of the church.  Those who hear the Gospel of our Lord should be falling before him in Godly sorrow and TRUE repentance of the heart having the understanding that they are in need of a Savior and cannot save themselves, not through works or any other way.  Instead, we see many seeking the Lord for a desire to have all their problems and woes disappear instantly upon accepting him.  Which explains why SO MANY last for but a season, for when greater tribulation comes upon them, they immediately depart from the faith and go back to their old ways.  This is the fault of the one who’s placed himself in the role of a shepherd, for he did not accurately feed the sheep.  I say placed himself, because if one is TRULY called of God he/she would have the heart of Christ who LOVES his sheep so much so that he laid down his life for us, and would carefully watch over the sheep feeding them proper nourishment.  Which brings me to the second fault of the church who lacks discipleship and have neglected the other half of the commandment of our Lord.  Not only did he say to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, but the other half of this commandment says: “TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU” saith the Lord.  Now, if we are truly following this command to the letter, why is it we have so many professing believers still bound by sin, still living the old life, hearts still filled with lust, envy, bitterness, hatred, unforgiveness, strife and the like.  Why do we yet still have so many that believe they can live their lives as they so choose, no matter how sinful and yet STILL make it into the kingdom of heaven?  It is apparent that such have NOT observed ALL things that the Lord has commanded, and why?  Because they have not be taught so, instead the lessons they’ve learned has been what can they get (mostly material) out of Jesus!  When was the last time the Apostle Paul taught a message on prosperity ALONE?  And WHEN did the Apostle Peter, or John, or any of the others teach MAINLY on seeking Christ for material gain?  Instead, the HEART of their message was CHIRST JESUS!  NOT what we can get from Him, but what we can GIVE to Him.  How we are expected to live NOW that we’ve been born again.   REPENTANCE, LOVE, FORGIVENESS, ENDURANCE, SHARING, CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER, etc. THESE were the topics of the messages they preached and it obviously worked as man’s hearts turned from selfishness and greed, to sharing and giving.  Paul was so bothered by SIN IN THE CHURCH that at one point he commanded the leadership there to remove the man who was in sin, calling such cancerous.  The church today on the other hand make no such demands but instead turn a blinds eye from sin, excusing and covering such up!  It is no wonder why the church today see LESS of the Power of the Holy Spirit at work, than they did in the days of the Apostles of Christ as we are living one portion of scripture and discarding the rest.  Now, one may say what is the problem of teaching on prosperity, after all there is scripture references to where the Lord desires his children to be prosperous and many will quote the scripture “Beloved, above all things I wish that ye prosper and be in good health”….But what about the REST of the scripture which reads: EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERTH!   When one’s soul TRULY prospers he will find that he has NO desire for the things of this world as he has stored up his treasures in heaven where ALL is eternal.  And, when the Lord has richly blessed him with prosperity, he finds that it is so HE may be a blessing to OTHERS!  This is the way of the Lord.  NOT selfishness and greed, but love and giving.  THIS is the heart of Christ and those who follow after him in this manner are truly observing all things whatsoever he has commanded. 

We need more “Discipleship” and TRUE leadership within the church.  There is nothing MORE heartbreaking to me than when I see those who have been led to Jesus in the form of a “sinners prayer” only to afterwards be sent away to fend for themselves, WITHOUT proper nourishment and having no preparation of what is to come as they are not told much about trials and tribulations, and how to stand in the midst of it all (I’m speaking of babes in Christ and not mature Christians).  When membership has become more important than discipleship.  When the church compete with one another boasting of it’s 1000 or more membership, but cannot TRULY declare that all 1000 or more have truly received the gift of salvation.   What good are names on a membership card if hearts are still far from Christ?  If you LOVE ME, FEED MY SHEEP saith the Lord.  And not just any form of doctrine, but the MEAT and TRUTH of His word.  Discipleship is needed NOW more than ever.  Hearts should be turned to Christ out of genuine LOVE for him, lives should be lived that would be pleasing to HIM,  ALL should be taught the TRUTH of His word, NONE should be left behind.

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

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Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God
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Find true peace now.
Find True Peace Now

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