Some resources on how to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ
For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart. - Heb 4:12
How assured are you that you are saved, that you have indeed passed from death to life, and have become a child of God? In this excellent series of sermons, Paris Reidhead explores the "Evidences of Eternal Life" to be found in the little epistle of 1 John, whereby we may KNOW that we have been born of God.
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" - 2 Cor 13:5
A W Tozer preached a series of sermons in 1960 on the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church. His message is as relevant today as ever. I particularly recommend the fourth sermon in the series: "The Path to Power and Usefulness".
(Right-click on the title to download the mp3 file, or click on the sound bar to listen directly.)
Paris Reidhead (1919-1992) was a Christian missionary, teacher and writer. He understood and clearly communicated the simple truths of the Gospel message.
This series of messages (entitled "So Great Salvation") outlines clearly what salvation is all about, and the steps by which God works to draw people to Himself. It also deals with some of the issues faced by new believers.
It is my prayer that these messages will edify, instruct and change all of our lives.
1. Awakening (download mp3 or click below to listen)
2. Conviction and Repentance (download mp3 or click below to listen)
3. Faith, New Birth, Witness of the Spirit (download mp3 or click below to listen)
4. Temptation and Sin (download mp3 or click below to listen)
5. Victory Part 1 (download mp3 or click below to listen)
6. Victory Part 2 (download mp3 or click below to listen)
If your interest has been piqued, you may download more of his sermons here.
Stand naked in front of a mirror, and take a good look at the body God gave you. Marvel at how well formed it is, how amazingly it functions. Rejoice and praise God for it!
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works.
Or maybe you don't like what you see? You're not alone. But wait! - Don't go rushing off to sign up at a slimming studio or a beauty centre. There's good news! Heard about Easter? It's not about Bunnies and Eggs. Bunnies don't lay eggs, anyway. It's about Christ being RESURRECTED in a new and glorious body! Because of this, we too can expect to receive a New Improved Body ourselves, if we believe in him!
I have previously said that any Christian who desires to, may experience a radical spiritual renaissance, and this altogether independent of the attitude of his fellow Christians.
The important question now is How?
Well, here are some suggestions which anyone can follow and which, I am convinced, will result in a wonderfully improved Christian life...
"As Christians, we believe in Jesus Christ and are therefore justified by faith. Then why struggle? Because it makes us spiritually mature, and fits us for heaven, to live with Him there? I suspect our struggling pleases God as well, just as it pleases a father to see his child struggling to stand up and walk.
As we struggle, God is faithful, and begins to transform us and take away our bent to sinning.This is sanctification, the process of God making us holier by the day. Before we get to heaven. Christianity is not just about getting to heaven, you see. It's also about being made righteous here on earth...."
"God gives us enough for our daily needs, but we are not satisfied. We have jobs, food, clothing and a roof over our heads, but that is not enough. We crave for bigger houses, better cars, more money in the bank. We think we should be doing better than we are, and curse God silently in our hearts for not blessing us enough. We are willing to trade-in our spiritual birthrights of peace and joy for more of material things...."
One of the first requirements in becoming a disciple of Christ is self-denial– forsaking our sins, our pride, our ambitions, our selves – all that we have in the world.
"If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Matt 16:24
So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:33
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. - Proverbs 18:21
As Christians we must be careful in our speech. The general consensus in the Bible seems to be that keeping our mouths shut most of the time is a wise thing to do.
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.
James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
These are trying times. As Christians, we can take comfort in the sure knowledge that although events in this world seem to be getting out of control, God the Sovereign Lord still holds sway over the affairs of humanity, which are playing themselves out according to His will.
Nevertheless, many are worried. What if I lose my job? What if my business fails? How will I manage? What if the global economy collapses? What if war breaks out? What if there's no food or water supply? Can I plant tapioca in my HDB flat?
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Heb 4:12
The Bible is not a "magic" book in the Harry Potter sort of way, where you can see moving pictures or hear it speak in an audible voice. Nevertheless, the words found in the Bible are "living and active" in the sense that God uses them to speak to our hearts. Those who read the Bible regularly often grow to love it, because it tells us about God and His will. The Bible can also tell us about ourselves, if we look hard enough. It can reveal to us what we are like, how sinful we are and how much we need God.
As Christians, our salvation first comes from hearing the Word of God, being convicted by the Holy Spirit and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thereafter, we are constantly in a process of sanctification, or being made perfect. One of the ways we are sanctified is by hearing the Word of God. We can expect to be transformed by the Word of God as we read it and apply it to our lives, meditating upon it daily.
There is a difference between simply knowing the Word of God and being transformed and sanctified by it. Satan knew the scriptures well, and could quote from them freely, twisting the words to his own purpose. We must beware of doing the same.
In the final analysis, like saving faith, the benefits accrued from the reading of God's Word can only be appreciated experientially, ie by actually reading it, understanding it and experiencing its power for yourself.
You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. However, you were taught to have a new attitude. You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. (Eph 4:22-24)
But grow in the good will and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to him now and for that eternal day! Amen. (2Pe 3:18)
How should we live as Christians? What are some of the character traits and virtues which God expects Christians to have, and which He will bestow upon us? Here is a short (and by no means comprehensive) list:
One of the first things a Christian would want to do is to find out what God's Word has to say about the various issues we face in life, and how to approach these problems. Here is a short sampling, taken from the Gideon's Bible.
The helps below are taken from the Gideon's Bible, which is given out free by Gideon's International. They have introduced millions (myself included) to the delights and comforts to be found in God's Word, and to understand what God has to say about certain things. It is my prayer that this online version will do the same.
Discipleship 
How assured are you that you are saved, that you have indeed passed from death to life, and have become a child of God? In this excellent series of sermons, Paris Reidhead explores the "Evidences of Eternal Life" to be found in the little epistle of 1 John, whereby we may KNOW that we have been born of God.
A W Tozer preached a series of sermons in 1960 on the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church. His message is as relevant today as ever. I particularly recommend the fourth sermon in the series: "The Path to Power and Usefulness".
