Powerful Tools Most Effective Under Grace

When practiced in the context of God's Grace, Spiritual Disciplines can become powerful tools for spiritual growth, drawing BELIEVERS closer to Him and helping them reflect His Grace and love to the world.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:22-26

Humble yourself, tap into Grace and BE TRANSFORMED BY THE FATHER’S LOVE. We are transformed ONLY IN HIS PRESENCE BY HIS GRACE.

"Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:11-12

We are saved by Grace alone. However, we can accelerate our transformation by co-laboring with Jesus and, through Spiritual Discipline, surrendering ourselves fully to His Grace. He is the Potter, and we are His clay. Have your way with us Holy Spirit, transform us into the image of Christ!

"And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full." John 16:23-24

Our Heavenly Father has given us gifts of Grace like “Spiritual Disciplines” as a means to GET INTO HIS PRESENCE and stay there. I refer to these gifts of Grace as Spiritual Disciplines.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all Grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will HIMSELF perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:6-10

Those IN CHRIST, you are NOW HIS POSSESSION, and He will KEEP YOU. His Yoke is Easy, and His Burden is LIGHT. Practice daily being in His Presence, seeking His will and His Righteousness.

"Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me... Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it... On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him... If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him." John 14:6, 12-14, 20-21, 23

All Spiritual Disciplines are Grace gifts, or “gifts of Grace.” Love is a gift of Grace as the Father works His love into us, changing us INTO HIS IMAGE OF LOVE, working from the inside out. By practicing Spiritual Disciplines all the time, hourly, daily, we allow LOVE TO DO HIS WORK IN US.

"If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. and if I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good. Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disGracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know in part and prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians Chapter 13

God is LOVE. His INDWELLING PRESENCE does all the work to transform us. At this very minute, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for all the SAINTS, including you and me. Jesus is LOVE, and by Grace working through Love, He has redeemed us. That means He has taken full possession of us and wants to exchange His life of love with our life of sin. Let Him! And, do you want to go deeper IN CHRIST? Then, practice the Spiritual Disciplines with the Holy Spirit every minute of every day. It is called, living the WITH-GOD LIFE.

Spiritual Discipline Exposes Weaknesses - SO BOAST IN YOUR WEAKNESS!

The best discoveries of mankind were found in our weaknesses. So, don’t you think we should boast about our weaknesses? As we boast, we turn them over to Jesus daily.

"Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying," Matthew 5:1-2

Because Jesus is GRACE WORKING THROUGH LOVE, we find our strength in our weaknesses as we turn everything over to Him. As we humble ourselves in His HUMILITY, soaking in His presence of LOVE, we discover how wretched we are. In confessing our weaknesses and turning them over to His MERCY, He grants us His freedom and liberty in exchange. This is the Spiritual Discipline of CONFESSION.

As we confess our sins, His loving kindness and compassion flow through Grace. As we hand over our ugliness, sins, flaws, faults, and weaknesses, He gives us His life and faith in return. As our loving Savior cleanses us from all unrighteousness, He makes us Holy.

Those who humble themselves live by FAITH, EMPOWERED by Grace.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

Fully in COOPERATION with the Holy Spirit, which dwells within us, we are FOR GIVEN by Grace.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

Christ is formed in us by Grace working through love. Our part is to confess our sins and weakness and ask for His INDWELLING PRESENCE, and we wait. Only in His presence can we be transformed. His indwelling presence TRANSFORMS us from the inside out. The Holy Spirit does His work in us by Grace, working through love. Our part is to practice Spiritual Disciplines, like Bible Study, Prayer, Solitude, Generosity, Celebration, and Sabbath’s Rest.

“Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the Spirit of Intercession, always interceding for the SAINTS of HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Their intercession does not cease. The intercession of the TRINITY, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit never ceases–IT IS UNBROKEN FELLOWSHIP. Practicing Spiritual Disciplines, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and Grace. When we do so, we are “Training for Reigning.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." Matthew 5:6

Because His Grace is working through His Faith IN US, we are to present our bodies as being alive from the DEAD, and this is our reasonable form of worship and service to the King and His Kingdom.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5:7

Deny self, pick up His Cross, and Follow Him by Grace–Spiritual Disciplines.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

Confess your sin daily, be honest about your weaknesses, and even boast. God gives more Grace to the humble. Present your weaknesses to Jesus and ask Him for His full life. God is preparing you to be HIS WITNESS and ambassadors of Peace.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Selfishness is exposed and revealed as a weakness as we practice Spiritual Disciplines. Therefore, we surrender all of our weaknesses to Christ. Don’t hold anything back. As a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, you will face adversity and persecution; it is only a matter of time.

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

Surrender everything to God’s Grace and trust that He will remove all weaknesses you surrender because someday, you’ll need to be STRONG IN CHRIST. Practice now, and you’ll be “Training for Reigning,” learning from Jesus to live in the Kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Matthew 5:11

Know that He won’t remove weaknesses you hold on to and refuse to surrender. Confession is surrender. Confession is made in intimacy as one Friend serves another in Mercy.

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:12

Who is an Apprentice of Jesus Christ

An Apprentice of Jesus Christ is any human who has chosen to surrender and follow the teachings and example of Jesus with a deep commitment to becoming more like Him. This commitment goes beyond mere belief and extends to a lifestyle characterized by continuous faith, love, and obedience BY GRACE.

"And He *said to them, “ Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Matthew 4:19

Apprenticeship with Jesus involves learning from Him as the ultimate Teacher, Leader, and Rabbi. Any disciple of Jesus greatly benefits from practicing Spiritual Disciplines, which are essential tools the Holy Spirit uses for our deep spiritual formation.

Desire for Transformation: An Apprentice of Jesus Christ desires to be transformed into the likeness of his/her Master. We recognize that this transformation is not achieved through human effort but is facilitated by the work of the Holy Spirit in conjunction with our active engagement in Spiritual Disciplines.

Hunger for God's Presence: We have a deep hunger for God's presence and a longing to draw nearer to Him. Spiritual Disciplines like prayer, meditation, and solitude provide them with the means to encounter God intimately and experience His abiding presence.

Commitment to Holiness: Apprentices of Jesus value holiness and righteousness. We understand that Spiritual Disciplines help us align our lives with God's holy standards, enabling the Holy Spirit to perform them IN US so we live a life of integrity and purity IN CHRIST even when we fail.

Pursuit of Wisdom and Understanding: We seek wisdom and understanding in God's Word. Bible study and memorization are essential disciplines that allow the Holy Spirit to grasp the depths of God's truth and apply it in our daily lives BY GRACE.

Dependence on Grace: Apprentices recognize our need for God's Grace in every aspect of our lives. We approach Spiritual Disciplines not as self-righteous acts but as opportunities to depend on God's grace for strength, guidance, and transformation.

Compassion and Service: We desire to love and serve others, just as Jesus did. Spiritual Disciplines nurture our compassion and empower us to serve with humility and Grace.

Resilience in Adversity: Apprentices of Jesus understand that trials and challenges are part of our journey. The disciplines of prayer, fasting, and self-sacrifice equip us with the resilience and endurance to navigate difficulties with faith and trust in God's Grace.

Commitment to Community: Apprentices recognize the importance of Christian community and fellowship. Spiritual Disciplines, such as corporate worship and fellowship, strengthen our bonds with fellow BELIEVERS and contribute to the growth of the body of Christ.

Joyful Surrender: Apprentices embrace a posture of joyful surrender to God's will. We view Spiritual Disciplines not as burdensome duties but as joyful expressions of our love and devotion to our Lord and SAVIOR.

Kingdom Focus: Our primary focus is to advance God's kingdom and share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Spiritual Disciplines equip us to be effective witnesses and ambassadors for the kingdom.

Apprentices of Jesus Christ passionately pursue a life of discipleship, seeking to emulate Jesus in every aspect of our existence. We understand that practicing Spiritual Disciplines is not a legalistic endeavor but a pathway to experiencing the transformative power of God's grace in their lives. These disciplines are tools that aid us in our journey of becoming more Christlike and fulfilling our calling to be SALT and in the world.