Your Fourth Step Of Discipleship

In the Third Step of Discipleship we established that the process of discipleship is the discipline of developing habits and character that are consistent with the word of God.

In the Fourth Step we are going to see how a disciple goes about setting his or her daily priorities.

Are you ready to proceed?

In all honestly, how preoccupied or worried are you with the things you need or want to get done today (including work, family, finances, school, interests, etc.)?

Again, being very honest, how preoccupied are you with seeking God (and His Kingdom) with all your heart, soul, mind and strength today?

Now listen to what Jesus has to say about the best way to take care of the priorities facing you today:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25-33)

Allow time for this word of God to penetrate, then select 'Successful' when you are ready to go to the next Step.

Imagine that Jesus is standing before you right now. The first thing He does is ask you a question:

"What is worrying you? What do you want?"

Answer Him in the space provided.

After listening to you intently, He looks you straight in the eyes and tells you:

"Seek first my kingdom and my righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

How would you respond to Him?

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read the observations of the Christian theologian Oswald Chambers on Jesus' response to you.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

How much do you want to make your relationship to God the dominating concentration of your life?

Again, seeing Him before you, is there something you would like to confess and repent of?

If 'Yes", you can do so privately or write in the space provided.

Is there something you would like to thank God for?

If 'Yes", you can do so privately or write in the space provided.

Is there something you would like to ask of God?

If 'Yes", you can do so privately or write in the space provided.

In all honesty, have you given these Steps everything that you've got?

If 'Yes', you are stepping into the Kingdom of God as Jesus defined it. Proceed to the next step.

If 'No', consider going back over the Steps and, this time, put your heart and soul into it; give it everything you've got. What have you got to lose?

Tomorrow, the 'Your Fifth Step' of discipleship will appear on your Day Plan.

See you back on the Trail then!