DISCIPLE

   WILLIAM MACDONALD “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight…” ( John 18:36 ) The fact that Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world is enough to keep me out of the world’s politics. If I participate in politics, then I am casting a vote of confidence in the system’s ability to solve the world’s problems. But frankly I have no such confidence because I know that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” ( 1 John 5:19 ). Politics has proved singularly ineffective in solving the problems of society. Political remedies are nothing but a Band-Aid on a festering sore; they do not get at the source of the infection. We know that sin is the basic trouble in our sick society. Anything that fails to deal with sin cannot be taken seriously as a cure. It becomes a matter of priorities, then. Should I spend time in political involvement or should I devote that same time to the spread of the Gospel? Jesus answer...

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers " Acts 2:42. Contemporary assembly conditions often show a marked departure from New Testament simplicity and dependence upon the leading of the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit. Often this is due to failure on the part of the elders to provide guidance and teaching from the Scriptures. There is a great need to promote spiritual growth and stability among promising young brethren and sisters. There are five forms of fellowship in the New Testament. 1. Social Fellowship: "Breaking bread (eating of meals) from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart" Acts 2.46. This was especially necessary for those who had lost their houses and livelihood because of persecution. It is still good to show hospitality to the Lord’s people in our homes . "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink...

Our Lord Still Demands New Testament Standards     A. W. Tozer “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). Not the naked Word only but the character of the witness determines the quality of the Christian convert.  The church can do no more than transplant herself. What she is in one land she will be in another.  A crab apple does not become a Grimes Golden by being carried from one country to another.     God has written His law deep into all life; everything must bring forth after its kind!     It would appear logical that a subnormal, powerless church would not engage in missionary activity, but again the facts contradict the theory.  Christian groups that have long ago lost every trace of moral fire nevertheless continue to grow at home and reproduce themselves in other lands.     There is a weaknes...

by A. W. Tozer     It is difficult for us to shake off the notion that a person is as spiritual as he or she feels. Our basic spirituality seldom accords our feelings. There are many carnal personas whose religious emotions are sensitive to every impression and who manage to keep themselves on a fairly high plane of inward enjoyment, but who have no marks of godliness upon them. They have a low boiling point and can get heated up over almost anything religious at a moment's notice. Their tears are close to the surface and their voices carry a world of emotional content. Such have a reputation for being spiritual, and they themselves may easily believe they are. But they are not necessarily so.     Spiritual people are indifferent to their feelings - they live by faith in God with little care about their own emotions. They think God's thoughts and see things as God sees them. They rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in themselves. They are more...