The Impact Of Being Chosen

I've been dwelling a lot on the attitudes and actions of the disciples as I've studied Mark and am now exploring the book of Luke. What I love about Jesus is that he is a dreamer, he is constantly releasing potential in others that they would have never seen in themselves. The disciples go on this incredible journey that will change their lives forever, they witness miracles and learn what it is to be a true follower of Christ. This wasn't always easy for them though! Along the journey Jesus begins to expose the pride and self-righteous attitudes in the disciples and make them realize they are very much like the Pharisees who they dispise. Their heart is in the right place but they are blinded to their own sin. They think that following Jesus automatically makes them better than everyone else. Jesus is putting them through a training ground into their own souls because he wants them to confront the sin and become conscious of it. What really strikes me was, as he was "grooming" and exposing the disciples he, all of the sudden tells them to go on a journey by themselves. Without him!? Jesus made it clear that these men were filthy, filled with pride and self-righteousness and not worthy of sharing the gospel. They would misinterpret the message, wouldn't they? But Jesus sends them out regardless, showing them that he doesn't expect perfection but is more concerned with the quality of their hearts. This truth rocked me to the core... God has been putting me through some major changes in my life and is exposing the pride, selfish, and judgemental attitudes that is in my own heart, but like the disciples, he still uses me to show his love to the world. My actions often speak contrary to what I'm really about but my heart maintains the same position; I want to be changed by Jesus like the disciples, they couldn't go back to their old lives fishing for trout, they knew that their journey with Jesus would make an impact in the world. After the death of Jesus, the disciples continued on in the ministry, flipped the world upside down and later died as martyrs for Christ. All because of that one day when Jesus showed them a dream.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it" Mark 8:34

Please continue to pray for energy, diligence, and fresh insight

I thank God for Lakeside and pray that Gods dream would reach its full potential through the church, the hope of the world...

In the service of Jesus Christ
-Jer