Are You a Disciple or Just an Acquaintance?

By PeggyAllen

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

If you were asked, “Do you know the Lord?” most who are reading this article would answer, “Yes, I know Him. He is my Savior and Lord.” What a wonderful thing it is to know the Lord, to have our sins washed away, and have assurance of eternal life.

Would you also be able to claim you are a disciple of Jesus?

Being a disciple of Jesus is so much more than “knowing the Lord.” Jesus’ statement in Luke 9:23 explains that to be His disciple, one must be willing to bear a cross for Him. Bearing a cross is definitely not the same as wearing a cross, although in our post-Christian era, wearing a cross around one’s neck is becoming more and more like bearing a cross. To those who reject the Jesus of the Cross, the wearing of a cross has become an offense and a reason to discriminate against or persecute the wearer.

The cross of a disciple is to be a replica of Jesus’ cross in that it is an instrument of death. The world, past and present, is full of followers of Jesus who have paid the ultimate price of being His disciple. Their love for Him compelled them to give their all in service to Him. They bore their cross proudly and gladly.

But when Jesus said that to be His disciple one had to take up his cross daily and follow Him, it is obvious He was not speaking of giving one’s life in martyrdom, for you can only do that one time. Nevertheless, the cross is a symbol of death; it has no other purpose. Death, therefore, must be a reality in the life of a disciple.

Someone once said, that it is easier to die for Christ than to live for Him. That person was not talking about the normal, everyday Christian life we are familiar with. Rather, he was talking about the life of a true disciple. One who has surrendered his life to the Master’s call. One who has put to death the normal ambitions of the flesh in exchange for a life of spiritual servitude.

A New Testament definition of disciple is “imitator.” In Jesus’ day disciples of a rabbi did not just attend an hour or so of teaching on the Sabbath, or even every day. The disciple lived with the teacher, and studied his every move. He was merely a shadow of the teacher. The result was that he became like his teacher. The 12 Disciples of Jesus are an observable example of this type of discipleship.

As imitators of Jesus, we are to be like Him and do what He did. Jesus lived simply, loved everybody, suffered rejection by His own people, accepted willingly the weight of the sins of every person, and finally, died the cruelest death of all as He paid our debt of sin. With that in mind, could we have the audacity to call ourselves a disciple? Do we have the courage to accept that role? Or the will?

The cross of a disciple may be heavy; however, it is not one we carry alone, for we are yoked with the One who is able to support the main load. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Being a follower of Jesus, walking in close proximity to Him, puts us in a position to learn from Him. Eugene Peterson renders these verses, “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or unfitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (The Message, Navpress).

To be Jesus’ disciple, we must bear a cross, but the cross is not meant to break us or wear us down. Rather, it is a badge of honor, identifying us with our beloved Master, who not only carried His cross, but also gave His life on it for our sakes.

Shattered Images

by Loyd Naten

Christ asked the Disciples the question, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Your answer to this question determines your spiritual health, because you are one of three persons. You are: 1) Who others say you are; 2) who you say you are; or, 3) who God says you are. My point is, unless we live our lives from the truth of who we are in Christ, we will never maximize our potential in Christ Jesus our Lord. Instead, we will construct our identity from not only what others say about us, but by what we say about ourselves.

In studying the life of Christ, you will find He never defined His worth by who He was in the opinion of others. In fact, He never lived for the approval of others. He lived His life from the truth of who He was as the Son of God.

         Dutch Sheets stated that true liberty came to him when God delivered him from caring what people thought of him. He said, “As long as God is pleased with me, that is all that truly matters.” Shouldn’t that be the case for all of us?

         Paul said, “I am what I am.” He was saying, “My calling, my gifting, my purpose was not my decision; it was God’s, and I can’t change that.” He says, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13, 14). Paul was not going to let what others thought of Him, nor what he had done in the past put the brakes on his future.

         When God initially called Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah, they all felt inadequate to do what God had called them to do because of their self-constructed identity based on who they perceived themselves to be. Moses said, “Who Am I?” Jeremiah said, “I am a youth.” Gideon said, “I am the least in my father’s house.”

         In our first impression of Gideon, we see him hiding in a winepress, afraid of the Midianites. But when the angel appeared to Gideon, the angel called him a “mighty man of valor.” Look at his initial response, “Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15). Gideon, like so many of us, rather than extend himself to grasp who he really was, retreated into the safety of the label of who he said he was. At this point Gideon was far from being a mighty man of valor, but being empowered by God, Gideon grew into the meaning of his new name.

      Experience has taught me, until you know who God says you are, you will never live with confidence in God’s call on your life.” No matter what you have done or haven’t done, God’s power is big enough to change you. Get this, there’s no sin too great for God’s grace; there’s no habit too big for His delivering power; there’s no label too strong for His love. The truth is, what once was no longer has to be. God can and will break the labels that have held you hostage, because you were made for more than you’ve settled for.

       It doesn’t matter how you feel about yourself. The truth is, we are God’s master piece according to Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” You need to understand this: you’ve been made new. You’ve been remade. You are God’s masterpiece and God doesn’t make JUNK. Workmanship means “a work made by God.” The way God made you was not by chance or accident. You are divinely inspired with a divine intention to guide you.

        Isn’t it time to peel off the many labels that cling to your reputation and uncover who you really are? Paul says in 2 Cor. 10:3-5 that our weapons "are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imagination, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge God." "Pulling down" means demolition, destruction of a stronghold or total, absolute destruction. That means you take the negativity, lift it up over your head, bring it crashing down to the ground, and crush it into rubble. Demolish it. Remember, it’s not what you were that matters, but what you can become.

Loyd Naten

General Secretary

5 Questions About The Encounter Conference

1. True or False: The Encounter Conference is a TEEN/YOUTH event?

False: The Encounter Conference is a LEADERSHIP EVENT. If you are a leader, then it’s for you no matter what your age or position. The Encounter Conference is attended by local church leadership, district leadership, lay people, collegiates and teenagers. The Encounter is truly a multi-generational gathering.

2.  What happens at an Encounter Conference?

Multi-generational leaders gather for two days of worship, inspiration, and connection. You will be inspired from anointed communicators, you will be refreshed by the presence of God, and you will have the opportunity to connect with leaders.

3. What is the FOCUS of The Encounter Conference?

The focus is on becoming what we call “NEXT-GEN leaders.” A “NEXT-GEN leader” is not an age group or style, but rather a mentality & commitment to mentor & disciple the next generation. Each Encounter Conference has a specific theme; however, the focus still remains on learning to become leaders committed to reach & mentor those who will follow in our footsteps.

4.  What is the cost of attending The Encounter Conference?

There is no registration fee for The Encounter Conference.  We try to make it as easy as possible for our Districts & Churches to bring as many of their leaders to the event as possible.  We do take up an offering at the Encounter and allow for leaders & churches to sow into the event.

5.  What does the schedule look like?

Thursday:

8 PM optional connection time

(this is for those who will be in the area by 8PM on Thursday and would like to connect for a

time of fellowship)

Friday:

9 AM session 1 & 2

2 PM session 3

7 PM session 4 & 5

Saturday:

9 AM session 6 & 7

12 PM dismissal*

*Our conference schedule is designed for Leaders & Churches to be able to depart on Saturday in time to make it home for weekend Worship Services.

for more information visit:  www.encounterconference.com 

Do You Feel It?

by Charles G. Scott

Do you feel it? Speed. Faster and faster things are accelerating. The turbulence, the quickened pace, the sense of urgency, the compulsive drive—the swirl of speed is becoming more and more a part of life. Technology makes conversation a constant companion. Globalization puts news events in our face around the clock. It never stops: read this, text them, get here, call back, go there, email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, video on Vine, upload this, download that . . . where does it stop?

The truth is: Action creates results. 

There must be a sense of taking action in order to produce desired results. Action is the test of words. Alertness, a sense of urgency, movement must override complacency. The arrogance that says action is not needed in order to create desired outcomes borders on insanity. In the words of Bishop Jerry Macklin, “Nothing changes until something changes.”

The truth is: Spiritual transformation takes time. 

Results do not always come quickly. In the fast pace of life, with its ever demanding rapidity of amped addiction to the stimulus of speed, results are demanded and expected at a faster pace. But eternal results come at a slower pace. The question before Christ-followers each day is not, “What can I accomplish today?” But instead, “What is eternally important that I must accomplish today?

Jesus impacted culture by declaring, “The kingdom of God is near” (Mark 1:15, NIV).  The urgent cultural issue of the day was freedom from Roman oppression. The issue that needed addressed was deliverance from a broken religious system. The average Hebrew was content to clog his calendar with normal religious chores that added nothing to the needed area of action. Sacrifice a lamb. Kill a dove. Give a tithe. Say a prayer. Memorize a saying of Moses. Listen to a sermon. Sing a top 40 hit of King David— that guy had some great tunes!

Jesus came to change the world and instill a sense of urgency in His disciples to do the same. Two thousand years after His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus is still doing the same thing—changing the world. It may be the world of a construction worker or a housewife. It may be the world of an addict or a junkie. It may be the world of a broken heart or that of a shattered dream. 

Do you feel it? The incessant drive to change the world? It will take action, but it will require time. Get busy, but don’t watch the clock. Don’t get discouraged if the results come slow. It’s not email; it’s eternity. It will take time, but at least we can start by seeing eye to eye. 

Pentecostal Church of God United Kingdom

 About 18 months ago God began to set in motion the renewing of the Pentecostal Church of God in the United Kingdom. Initiated by our field representative, Rev. Curtis Peart, with contact given to us by Bishop Secku of Ghana, this journey unfolded with great speed. That initial contact began with Rev. Daniel Attoh, pastor of Dominion Chapel International in Manchester, England.

Over the past 18 months there have been a number of individuals that have been instrumental in getting this new international initiative off the ground. My personal thanks go to the following:  Bishop Charles and Janice Scott; Rev. Curtis Peart, World Missions Field Representative; Rev. Joe and Teena Skiles, President Daniel and Rhonda Davis; Caleb Smith; Brooke Skiles; Jonathan Kincaid; Jon and Rachel Skiles; Mary Price; and, Janie Kincaid.  In addition to these there are many in England that we are extremely grateful for their contributions to this effort.  To name each and every one at this juncture would be very difficult.

The effort over the past number of months culminated in the inaugural Pentecostal Church of God United Kingdom Convention held in Manchester, England July 25-27. During the day breakout sessions were held on various topics of ministry. In the evening dynamic worship services were conducted punctuated by anointed preaching of the Word. Jon and Rachel Skiles conducted children’s ministry in conjunction with the evening services. Attendance continued to grow service by service with over 300 attending the last night.

Officers appointed to serve for the next two years are: National Bishop, Rev. Daniel Attoh; National Secretary-Treasurer, Rev. Peter Djabang; Executive Board Members, Rev. Lynwall Powell and Rev. Theo Benning.

The closing service was held on Sunday morning/afternoon July 28 at Dominion Chapel International PCG with a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. During the remainder of the day everyone enjoyed a feast of England style bar-b-que. 

There is no doubt that God has put His signature on this expansion of His kingdom in the United Kingdom. Our prayers continue for Bishop Attoh and all of those who now march forward in unison to reclaim England and the U.K. for Christ.

The “L” Word

by Randy Lawrence Jr

Farmers farm. Fishers fish. Runners run. Singers sing. Leaders _____.

Lead?  Right?  You are correct, Ke-mo sah-bee. But how about another “L” word: LEARN. Leaders learn. Leaders are learners and the minute we stop learning we stop leading. So if I’m not learning, then I’m not leading.

Now this is really good preaching material, and I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, but if we were to take an honest evaluation of ourselves, I wonder what we would discover as it relates to our personal commitment to learning?

Am I committed to learning?

You see at the core of discipleship, is learning. The heartbeat of what we know and refer to as “discipleship” is a commitment to “learning.”  This is not a one-stop deal, an all-inclusive package, or a class that we complete, but rather a commitment to becoming a life-long learner!

I’ll never forget going back to the DMV (Lord, have mercy) to get my drivers license renewed.  Do you know what the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles had the guts to do?  They made me take the written drivers exam again!! “Seriously,” I thought to myself, “You mean they expect me to remember this stuff 10 years after taking my first test?” I found myself in a serious pickle as I strived to think back to my drivers-ed course from my high school days! The result? I failed miserably! I was forced to go back and study again.  You see, I thought that it was a one-time deal! BAM! Study, cram, take the test, and I’m DONE!

How many times do we view learning the same way? 

“Well, I got my degree!”

“Well, I finally passed the Ordination Exam!”

“Well, I’m officially a small group leader!”

“Well, I just got voted in as ____________.”

Please hear me; I’m not downplaying our accomplishments, especially as they relate to learning.  Graduating with a degree is a HUGE accomplishment! Getting ordained or obtaining leadership roles/positions are significant achievements that should be celebrated!  But they cannot be the end. Learning is not a page that we turn, or a chapter we finish.  Being a leader means I am committed to being a life-long learner. Regardless of rank, position, or title, if I still have a pulse, I should be committed to learning.  Perhaps one reason we (the Church) are struggling with discipleship is because we ourselves are struggling with being a disciple?  

I love the simple but powerful words of Christ in Matthew 11, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…” (emphasis added).  What a privilege we have to experience the daily opportunity of learning from Christ. The choice is ours to make. Will I learn? Will I lead?  Will I disciple? Benjamin Franklin said, “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”  As much as I hate to admit it, that trip to the DMV was good for me. It taught me a valuable lesson I will never forget.  Today, let’s make a renewed commitment to discipleship. How?  By validating our role as leaders with a renewed commitment to learning. To me, that is relevant.