Quote from Forum Archives on August 15, 2008, 1:08 pm

Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>

Please join me in boycotting and encouraging others to boycott the Ben
Stiller movie "Tropic Thunder" which is demeaning to those who are
intellectually challenged.

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The Burning Bush Devotional
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08.15.08

Disciples

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word,
you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free." - John 8:31-32.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall
meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all
that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then
you will have good success. - Joshua 1:8.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25.

What is a disciple? Dictionary.com gives this definition: "a person who is a
pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower." The term
disciple is derived from a New Testament Greek word coming to English
through the Latin discipulus meaning "a learner." The English word
"disciple" comes from the word discipline. Merriam-Webster defines the word
discipline as, "training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental
faculties or moral character; control gained by enforcing obedience or
order;" and also as "orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior."

Most successful people in this world learn at some point in time that the
disciplined life is the easiest life you can live and that the disciplined
life is the easiest load you can carry. Who enjoys life the most? Is the one
who enjoys life the most a person whose life is out of control? Or, is the
one who enjoys life the most the person who has discipline? Millions of
dollars are made every day by casinos, liquor stores, bars, drug dealers,
and porn sellers. Those dollars are taken from those whose lives are out of
control, who have little discipline in their lives. Because their lives are
out of control, without discipline, they are carrying a heavy burden.

Who is going to have the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10?
It is the person who will take the yoke of the Lord Jesus upon themselves.
It is the person who will come under the Lord's discipline. It will be the
person for whom Jesus is Lord and not just a fire insurance policy.

To be a true disciple of Jesus, we must come under His discipline. What are
some of those disciplines?

1. Prayer is one of those Christian disciplines. Who has the lightest load?
People who pray, or those who don't?

2. Bible study is a discipline. Who lives with more peace? Those who know
the promises of God or those who are ignorant of God's promises and of the
power of God's Word?

3. Going to church is a Christian discipline. The Bible says in Hebrews 10,
"... not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of
some is." When we assemble together, we know we have worshiped God and have
established relationships with people of God who will be there when life's
burdens must be carried. When we assemble with other believers "love and
good works" are stirred up in our lives.

Our burden is made lighter when we accept these disciplines and become true
disciples of our Lord. As the apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2, ".do not be
conformed to this world."

Copyright © 2008. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush website has
been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email version of the
Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.

Prayer Requests: Please pray for Malachi and Cody who are young boys with
cancer. Many prayer needs are posted at the Burning Bush website on the
Prayer Request page. You can also post your prayer requests there and they
will be forwarded to the Burning Bush Prayer Group (Of course, I am always
in need of prayer - please pray for me. I believe that God is speaking to me
about a change in the ministry He has given to me.).

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