September 6
(I am having problems with cervical vertebrae pressing on nerve bundles. Had the MRI, waiting on the neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, using a keyboard is extremely difficult and painful. So while I am getting this settled, I am going to rerun some old devotionals. Thank you for your prayers and patience while I get this settled.)
“This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’” [Isaiah 48:17]
Jesus told His disciples and those who would believe on the LORD after them that “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” [John 14:26-27]
We are to be disciples of Christ. We are also to disciple others. That means we are to learn and then teach others the ways of the LORD, or as the LORD told Isaiah teach “what is best for [us].”
I want the very best God has for me. I want to walk in the way that will have the least obstacles, the least hindrances for my fellowship with the Living God. But I also want that for others … that is where I must take what I have learned through God’s Counselor, the Holy Spirit, and share it with those coming after me. And then they must take what they have learned and share it with even more.
Jesus taught His followers, and His followers taught others through the power and enlightenment of God’s Holy Spirit. That is the cycle of godly discipleship. Unfortunately, we seem to have abandoned that God-given model. Now we have what I call the “pulpit-pew” model. The preacher preaches and the attendees attend. It doesn’t get much more involved than that.
If you want “what is best for you” and you want what is best for others … practice discipleship. There is nothing more exciting than to see others catch the fire of God’s Spirit, His love and mercy in their own lives as you teach them.
