For many in the Church today, making disciples is the same as making converts. They are different: in order to be a disciple, one must be a convert; but in order to be a convert, one does not necessarily have to be a disciple.

On the sidelines:

Converts are new believers. We all begin as converts. Way too often, most stop there. We make Christianity about what we believe, becoming a convert in the beginning of our walk with God. A convert may cheer Jesus from the sidelines; but a disciple is someone who grows, develops, and truly follows Christ.

In the center:

Disciples are the ones who get involved at church, instead of just showing up. They deal with certain bad relationships in their lives, and repent of their sins. True disciples serve, give their tithes and offerings, bring people to church. It’s about Jesus becoming the center of their life. They purpose to learn the word of God and do it. A disciple is salt and light to a lost world.

Good enough:

A convert is one who sits back and thinks just showing up is good enough, one who constantly makes excuses why they don’t give, why they don’t serve. A convert really does not have God’s heart for the lost. Most of the people who attend church today just show up and don’t really contribute. They come, maybe tip God, and don’t serve.

A disciple is one who purposes to follow Jesus and do what He says. They have a heart for the lost, and will share their faith with others. They take ownership in the kingdom of God.

So which one are you, a convert or a disciple? It’s your choice.

Just a thought,

PSS

We must choose to please God over pleasing people.

It’s a fear of disapproval:

In some ways, pleasing people is driving our culture. We must learn to please God. In fact, there is only one we must please, and that is God. A people pleaser attempts to make everyone happy. God cannot please everyone, and I believe we are foolish to think we can. A people pleaser has a fear of disapproval; this affects everything in our lives — what we eat, what we wear, what we do, how we talk.

It’s an addiction:

People pleasers don’t know how to say no. It’s an addiction to approval. We just simply want to be liked and accepted. We don’t want to be left out or rejected, so we attempt to please the people around us. If we are like this, we will miss God, and always feel disappointed in ourselves. I believe because of social media it is a real dilemma in our country.

It’s a stronghold:

Now, there is nothing wrong with wanting to please your parents, wife, husband. Nothing wrong with wanting to be liked, loved, and approved of by your friends, co-workers, family, or neighbors. (The truth is, if you are only concerned about yourself, you are a narcissist or a sociopath.) So, even though we want to be liked or loved, accepted, it becomes a stronghold when it is an obsession — when it dominates us. When we are too afraid of being rejected, we will do anything to avoid that happening.

Put God first:

People pleasers have no boundaries. People who are healthy do. We must break this stronghold in our lives by putting God first. When God is first, people have less influence over us. When people are first, God has less influence in our lives.

So, we get to choose to be a people pleaser or a God pleaser. God pleasers are blessed. They have real purpose for their lives.

I Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

Proverbs 29:25 (MSG)

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.

You decide!

Just a thought,

PSS

Too many of us live with regret. It’s as if we take regret wherever we go.

Being kept down:

Regret is a negative cognitive/emotional state that involves blaming ourselves for a bad outcome, feeling a sense of loss or sorrow at what might have been, or wishing we could undo a previous choice that we have made. It constantly works to keep us down or feeling bad about ourselves. It is an enemy of our souls. It will work only to destroy us, tear us down.

Looking back:

Hindsight is 20/20. As we look back at our lives, we regret some decisions, choices we made. But there are no do-overs. We don’t get to go back and do something over again. So, it begs the question, Why do so many live in the past instead of moving forward into the future? Yes, we can all learn from our mistakes so that we don’t repeat them; but to dwell on the past, is a future-life killer. It will rob us of a better today and future.

Overcoming:

So, I believe everyone with a conscience will have to deal with regret. But we can overcome it, defeat it in our lives if we recognize the power of God through the sacrifice of Jesus who paid the price for our sins, our failures, our mistakes. We need to learn to dwell on what He did instead of dwelling on yesterday. How can we move forward if we are always regretting and looking backward?

Let’s purpose to believe in the power of God and the sacrifice of Jesus instead of being in regret.

Just a thought,

PSS

So many Christians believe God is here to fulfill their dreams and make them happy.

All in:

When we think that way, we will miss the truth about our salvation. In fact, God came into our lives to fulfill His will, His desires. God gave us eternal life and freedom from sin. In return, He expects total devotion, total loyalty, total commitment, and total obedience.

Self-denied:

Many believe that God’s only role is to give them what they want — that serving Him means that He wants only for them to be happy. The truth, however, is that this is God’s story to be told — His will to be done. It’s really about His will, not ours; but God requires serious obedience. Therefore, in order to be a devoted Christian, we must learn to deny ourselves.

Fulfilled:

Our walk with God is not about our convenience; it’s all about self-denial. Remember what Jesus said in the garden, “Not My will, but Your will be done.” When God’s will is done in our lives, then we will be fulfilled — not the other way around. Total devotion to God means keeping His commandments (His word).

When we are fully devoted, it’s all about putting God first.

Just a thought,

PSS

One of the most important values, qualities, we can develop is endurance.

Power:

Endure means suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently. Endurance is the power to withstand something challenging. If you run a marathon, you will need lots of endurance to run the more than 26 miles. In other words, for any of us to truly walk with God, serve Him, become successful in life, we must learn and cultivate endurance.

Perseverance:

The apostle Paul said we must endure hardship as a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3). In other words, we must serve God and never quit or give up. Too many dreams are lost because someone gave up too quickly. They gave up because they became tired, or maybe felt overwhelmed in life, not seeing the progress they thought should be happening. We quit way too often. People quit just because it’s hard or is taking too long.

Persistence:

We should learn to endure. Jesus said those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22). Endurance is a quality we all must possess in order to serve God. To be successful, we all must learn to handle the hardships, the setbacks in life. We will all face them. But how will you face them? By quitting or giving up? Or by continually pressing forward, realizing you aren’t alone?

God is with us and for us.

Just a thought,

PSS