Friday's Bit of Discipleship
“If you are a disciple of Jesus, you will not be afraid of humble service. You will see in his life the glory of service, and you will be ready to take the towel and the basin and wash feet.”
p.34, The Prideful Soul’s Guide to Humility, Fontenot/Jones
Pondering Point
As disciples of Jesus, we are collaborating with Him while we serve, that it “co-laboring” or you could even describe it as “co-labor-action.”
Humility Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, as a follower (or disciple) of yours, teach me to love and embrace humble service even to the point of taking up a towel and washing feet as you desire. In your name I pray. Amen.
Discipleship Point on Justice
"How is sacrificial love expressed among those broken by the world? When love intersects broken lives, Christ's disciples are called to stand for justice. Biblical justice means lifting the bonds of oppression, identifying with the cause of the poor and meeting the needs of the downtrodden.
(Discipleship Essentials, Ogden, p. 155)
Discipleship Prayer
Father God, teach me as a disciple (and us as a church) where and when and how to intersect with lives that are broken and in need. Help us to stand for your version of justice, to bless the poor, needy and downtrodden as an extension of your grace and mercy and love. Show us how to let them know we are disciples of Jesus by our service-oriented love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
“Direct willpower has little effect on our character. Group identity has the power to change character because it operates in the fast-track on the right spot in the brain. Our automatic responses to distress (faster than conscious thought) can be trained by our group identity. Let me state this again because this concept is countercultural. Our instantaneous reactions to life’s circumstances (some of which result in non-Christian behavior) can be transformed by having a joyful hesed (love) community that has a well-developed group identity based in the character of Jesus.
p. 115, Wilder, Hendricks, The Other Half of Church