"A Call to Discipleship" Book Review

"A Call to Discipleship" is the second book by Susan Heck I have had the privilege of reading and encourage you to do the same. Just Like "A Call to Scripture Memory" it is a short easy read packed full of goodness.

In this book Susan tackles the issue of discipleship specifically as it relates to women in the church. Which seems to me to be something that is lacking in majority of churches. 

Why is that?

 I believe that the "me-centered" lifestyles the world encourages have seeped into our churches, leaving attendees void of accountability,and biblical discipleship...i.e. be a disciple and make disciples ( Matthew 28:18-20)

Susan addresses the questions:

-What is discipleship?  -Why should we disciple?  -Who should we disciple?  -What do we teach to those we disciple?  --And when, where, and how do we disciple?

Using Titus 2 to find the answers to these questions, we find the biblical model for women disciplehip:

"But as for you, teach what accords with psound1 doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, psound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 qOlder women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, rnot slanderers sor slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, tpure, uworking at home, kind, and vsubmissive to their own husbands, wthat the word of God may not be reviled."

Of course the book goes into greater detail breaking down what the verses mean but I wanted to give a quick overview of some points that really stood out to me regarding disciplining women on how to treat their husbands:

We are commanded to love our husbands 
-it is a Privilege to love them not a burden
-we are to love them physically, emotionally,& spiritually 
-you are to recognize importance of taking time to listen to husband even when what they are talking about doesn't interest us.
-greet him at the door cheerfully not with a list of things to do
- (do not nitpick) our focus should be on what he does do, not what he doesn't do. We should be grateful that we even have a husband."

 

So I hope you get this book and may it challenge you to go out and make disciples and learn ways to encourage women in your church to be more like Christ

Matthew 28:18-20

 "And Jesus came and said to them, h“All authority iin heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 jGo therefore and kmake disciples of lall nations, jbaptizing them min2nthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them oto observe all that pI have commanded you. And behold, qI am with you always, to rthe end of the age.”)

"Jesus What A Wonderful Name" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

This is a great recitation of scripture given by Nancy Leigh DeMoss titled:

"Jesus What A Wonderful Name"

for transcript click HERE

"A Call to Scripture Memory" by Susan Heck

A friend of mine recommended Susan Heck to me because I was looking for female teachers who presented the Word of God without fluff, presented the Word of God accurately and encouraged women to live a life worthy of the Lord in all that they do. I can say that Susan definitely exhibits all three characteristics I just mentioned.

This past Christmas my parents gifted me with three of Susan's books - "A Call to Discipleship", "With The Master:In Fullness of Joy", and the book I want to tell you about today called "A Call to Scripture Memory."

This is a quick easy to read book pamphlet that you can finish within an hour since it is only 21 pages. Although Short it is packed full of reasons why women specifically should memorize scripture and why we should memorize full passages. This is a description taken from Susan's website: With The Master :

This is a women's challenge and a methodology to memorize large portions of God's Word. It answers the questions: Who should memorize Scripture? Why should we memorize Scripture?What Scripture should we memorize? Where should we memorize Scripture? How does one memorize Scripture? Also within this booklet you will find 11 reasons why you should memorize Scriptrue, and valuable tools to teach you how, what, and when.

One of the most interesting reasons Susan gives for memorizing scripture is that if God allows us to reach an old age what do we want coming out of our mouths? She says "How we act as we get older is really who we were when we were younger, but that we can't mask it any more." She goes on to say "So, you better start transforming your mind now." 

Memorizing Scripture is one of the only ways to constantly keep our minds stayed on Christ and encourage others, especially in times were we don't have access to a physical bible.

So go get the book and be sure to check out these links for more on memorizing scripture

Top Four Ways to Memorize Scripture

John Piper: If my words abide Sermon

The Attributes of God

I have been wanting to study and learn the attributes of God for a while now. If we claim to know God and yet do not know anything about His attributes, we fall into creating God in our own image and how we want Him to be. I did not want to fall into the latter way of thinking, I want to know God and all of who He is according to His word.  As I started researching some resources to help me learn I came across Shai Linnes "Attributes of God" Album on iTunes.

I rarely purchase a full album from anyone because I normally don't like all the songs they have. Well this album turned out to be one of my favorites. I have listened to it over and over since purchasing it. Since I am a musician, I naturally find things easier to learn when set to music. As I continue to hear the songs I am also learning about Gods Attributes.

To preview the album on iTunes click HERE

My Favorite track so far is "The Holiness of God (reprise)"

Chorus 1

Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD!Holy, Holy, Holy is our God!Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD!The whole earth is full of His glory!Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD!Holy, Holy, Holy is our God!Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORDWho was, and is and is to come! (repeat)

Chorus 2
Who is like You, O LORD, Among the gods?Who is like You, O LORD?Who is like You, awesome in power!Majestic in Holiness, working wonders every hour!Earthly kingdoms pass away, howeverThe LORD shall reign forever and ever! (repeat)

The lyrics are based off these verses:

Isaiah 6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken         with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your           lips;your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is      to come, the Almighty.”
Exodus 15:11“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
    Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
    awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:18
    The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

Another resource I have found that I am highly enjoying is the book " Attributes of God " by A.W. Pink, and right now it is free on kindle so go check it out.

Comment below if you have any favorite books or resources when learning the Attributes of God.

Jesus And Food: The Will and Work of The Father

I am finally at a place in life where the Lord has given me a more healthy and biblical view of food and physical weight. I daily try to not make food an idol as I have done before.  So as I started reading through the gospel of John I was pretty surprised how much Jesus mentions the issue of food and compares Himself to Bread and Water.

In John 4:13-14 (ESV) We find Jesus at the well with the Samaritan women:

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Then shortly later the disciples come around wondering why Jesus was talking to the woman and why Jesus was not hungry:

Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”  So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.John 4:31-34

This got me thinking.  What if every time  I  am about to eat physical food to nourish my body, that I would remind myself to find true nourishment in doing the fathers will and accomplishing His work as Christ had done.

What if we all did that?

Our minds would consistently be on accomplishing the  Lords work.

Every time we eat we should also remind ourselves that we " shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Like I said I am so amazed how much Jesus is compared to food and how much it is mentioned in the bible. 

John goes on to write about the food we should be seeking:

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.  Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:25-27

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33

And finally Jesus reminds us that when we eat food it will give us temporary life,  but when we partake of Him we will find true everlasting life:

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.  As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”John 6: 53-58

so lets just say next time I go to eat something I will be reminded that only in Christ, true nourishment is found.

Matthew 6:31-33 ESV

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

for more on this topic check out

Jesus The Bread of Life by Ligoner Ministries

Sunday Sermon Notes:7 Day Spiritual Gifts Challenge

This past sunday our pastor challenged us to examine our lives by keeping a journal for the next 7 days to see if we are running the race God has called us to and to see if we are using the gifts God has given us for His glory.

A few questions to consider during this challenge:
-Do you have a spiritual father?  Someone who you can be accountable to.
-Are you a spiritual father?
-Are you making spiritual children?
-Are you making disciples?
-Are you sharing the Gospel?

In order to be fully effective in running the race God has called us to and sharing the good news of the Gospel,  we need to figure out what spiritual gifts God has given us and focus on strengthening and using those gifts. 

1.The Heidelberg Catechism addresses  the use of gifts in Q&A 55 

Q. What do you understand by "the communion of saints"? 

A. First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts.

Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and joyfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.

Romans 12:4-8 ESV

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Philippians 2:4-8 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

2.Paul tells us specifically that God Himself has arranged all the members of the body of Christ, putting us in specific positions and giving us particular gifts for the good of the whole (1 Cor. 12:18). Just as each organ and member of the human body has its own role and function, each Christian has a calling that is indispensable to the health of the church. Not all of us are teachers and administrators. These public leaders are important to the body, but they are not more important than those who may work behind the scenes caring for babies in the nursery, cleaning the sanctuary, making meals for new mothers and sick families, or performing any of the other tasks that might seem lackluster (vv. 14–17, 27–30). Our gifts and talents are all necessary for a well-functioning church.

So how can we figure out what gifts God has given us?

One way is to take some time out and honestly answer questions on this Spiritual Gifts Assesment Test. After completing the test, it will show you where your strengths and weaknesses are. You can than take time to ask God how to use your strengths in being Intentional about sharing the Gospel and making disciples. 

Then for the next 7 days keep a journal of how you are being Intentional about using your gifts for Gods glory.

To recap:
These are the 3 points Pastor Scott wants us to focus on:

1.Discover
Discover the gifts God has given you.
2.Define
Define how God wants you to use those gifts.
3.Do It!
Go out and use your gifts for Gods glory

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13:1-4, 6-7 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

For defintions of gifts after taking test http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/spiritual-gifts

To listen to full sermon by my pastor Scott Collins click HERE

1.https://www.rca.org/heidelbergcatechism

2.http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/the-body-of-christ/

 From Ligonier Ministries, the teaching fellowship of R.C. Sproul. All rights reserved. Website: www.ligonier.org | Phone: 1-800-435-4343

image from:http://www.bethanylb.org/other/positions/Spiritual_Gifts.php

Resources for Teaching Kids (& Adults) Apologetics

A very easy to understand tool for learning apologetics is Truth Made Easy

you can youtube "Apologetics made easy" to view their videos. I like them because they use many visuals and illustrations, which helps me in remembering important information
(based off the book "I don't have enough faith to be an atheist"). 

Reasonable Faith resources for parents
Ratiochristi.org/boosters
Stand to Reason parent-resources

These are a few resources I got from a video by Doug Potter:
Teaching Children Apologetics

 As I find more resources I'll add them to this page. 

Looking Well to My Household: Teaching Kids Apologetics

Im so happy to be back blogging,  the last 2 weeks have been pretty eventful for us. I was sick with food poisoning one week all while preparing for my daughters first birthday, then my mom in law came to town and we have been at the beach for a few days stay-cation. Now its time to get back into our routine and prepare for the future.

I wanted to share a verse that keeps popping up into my head that I want to focus on this year:

Proverbs 31:27 ESV

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

when I read this verse it makes me wonder how can I "look well" to the ways of my household?  what can I change or improve upon? 

The first way that I immediately think of and is something that is constantly on my mind is how to raise my daughter in the Lords ways. Now that she is a year old and growing fast,  I want to learn how to instill in her a love for God and an understanding of the Gospel.  I also want her to know what she believes in and why she believes it. This is where christian apologetics comes in.

looking well to the ways of my household includes giving my child a firm foundation in Christianity so that when she is challenged she will be able to stand firm In the faith and not be tossed to and fro as waves in the sea.

Did you know that about  70% of Christian youth leave the church after high school?

This percentage is way too high for my comfort level.  I do believe that many parents and especially moms have not been looking well to their households in this area.  We have sent our kids to Sunday school once a week thinking that is all they need and will be able to stand firm when reaching adulthood and college. Sadly this is not true.

Moms.... dads..... your children need you to give them that firm foundation to accurately and logically understand the Gospel/Christianity.

How can we do this? By introducing apologetics as early as we can to our kids.

As I said my daughter is only a year old, so my experience In teaching children apologetics is virtually non existent. So to help me "look well" to the ways of my household in this specific area I will be hosting a small discussion group at the end of the month tackling the topic of engaging kids in Apologetics .  So I am basically on the hunt for resources to share with other moms providing age appropriate activities and lessons regarding apologetics.

so far this is a really good youtube video I found that breaks up by age/grade level how to introduce apologetics and what the child can understand at each age:

Teaching Children Christian Apologetics

If you have any ideas, suggestions, videos, sermons, websites regarding teaching children apologetics please comment below. I will greatly appreciate any information you can send my way.

Have a great 4 of July weekend everyone

P.s. there is more id like to share about prov 31:27 but I will leave that for another post :)

Cultivating Gratitude: life is a Vapor

This past week ive been hearing of many tragic deaths of infants being left in cars, a family friend who died from stomach cancer, and a friend of my mom who lost her son and his two best friends in a car accident.

I am reminded how short life is.  At any moment, without warning, death can strike ourselves or our loved ones. we take so many things for granted, and thats why I started these cultivating Gratitude posts to help me not take anyone or anything for granted.

I am reminded to tell my family members how much I love and appreciate them.

I am reminded to not take life for granted both physical life and the new life Christ has given me.

I am greatful this week for the time God has given me with my family.

what are you grateful for?

check out Renown and Crowned for their latest Gratitude list

Cultivating Gratitude:Fathers Day Edition

Last week I started my first post in a series on cultivating Gratitude (here),  and this week I have  many things to be thankful for.

And since father's day is coming up I have dedicated this post to honoring the two men in my life... my wonderful husband and the best dad I could have ever asked for.

Cultivating Gratitude towards my husband, a few reasons I am thankful:

•celebrating four years of marriage with my best friend
•his hard work to provide for the family
•his example in reading and studying Gods word and prayer
•his passion for apologetics
•his love and affection towards our daughter
•his love and respect towards my parents
•his heart to provide for his Compassion kids in Africa
•his desire to know God and honor Him
•I am most grateful for the way he loves me

Cultivating Gratitude towards my Dad, a few reasons I am thankful:

•his sacrifices throughout my childhood to make sure my siblings and I had what we needed and at times to give us what we wanted
•his outward display of affection toward my mother
•his love for teaching others how to have a Godly marriage
•his love for fitness
•his respect and love towards my husband and taking him in as a son
•his love for my daughter
•his love for apologetics
•his love for God

HAPPY FIRST FATHERS DAY TO MY HUSBAND

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO MY DAD

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord , the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Learning to be thankful is a discpline we all need to work on.
How can you begin to cultivate an attitude of gratitude?

Psalm 105:1-5 ESV

Oh give thanks to the Lord ; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!  Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!  Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!  Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

Cultivating Gratitude

So I came across this post from Renown and Crowned on cultivating Gratitude. She has been posting her journal of all the things she is grateful for and I was inspired to do the same. Every thursday I will make a new cultivating Gratitude post.

Its so easy in our daily lives, in the midst of work, spouses and growing babies to go without acknowledging the Mercies God brings us everyday
To go without saying thank you to our heavenly Father for all he has allowed us to partake in.

I know its easier for me to complain about whats wrong or not going my way than to be grateful and full of praise. So this blog series will help to keep me accountable and focused on cultivating an attitude of gratitude

If you keep a gratitude journal or blog please share link or thoughts in the comments below.

Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;  they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Heres my list for the week,

A few things I am gratefull for this week:
1. a day out to the beach
2. My daughter's laugh
3. A house to live in
4. Gift cards I was able to use to buy clothes
5. Work for my husband
6. My church family
7. My twin sis taking a walk with baby and I
8. My MIL getting a phone we can facetime on
9. Christ's forgiveness
10.  no condemnation
11. Being able to paint my nails .lol (baby took a long nap)

What are you grateful for?
Start a list and thank the Lord for His new mercies

Psalm 107:1 ESV

Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

The Fierce Fruit of Self-Control

By John Piper

As the Hebrews were promised the land, but had to take it by force, one town at a time, so we are promised the gift of self-control, yet we also must take it by force.*

The very concept of "self-control" implies a battle between a divided self. It implies that our "self" produces desires we should not satisfy but instead "control." We should "deny ourselves" and "take up our cross daily," Jesus says, and follow him (Luke 9:23). Daily our "self" produces desires that should be "denied" or "controlled."That path that leads to heaven is narrow and strewn with suicidal temptations to abandon the way.

Therefore Jesus says, "Strive to enter through the narrow door" (Luke 13:24). The Greek word for "strive" is agonizesthe, in which you correctly hear the English word "agonize."We get a taste of what is involved from Matthew 5:29, "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you."

This is the fierceness of self-control. This is what is behind the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:12, "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." Are you laying hold on the kingdom fiercely?

Paul says that Christians exercise self-control like the Greek athletes, only our goal is eternal, not temporal. "Everyone who competes in the games (agonizomenos) exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable" (1 Corinthians 9:25).

So he says, "I pommel my body and subdue it" (1 Corinthians 9:27). Self-control is saying no to sinful desires, even when it hurts..................

For the rest of the devotion click HERE

©2014 Desiring God Foundation. Used by Permission.

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in its entirety or in unaltered excerpts, as long as you do not charge a fee. For Internet posting, please use only unaltered excerpts (not the content in its entirety) and provide a hyperlink to this page. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Desiring God.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: 

By John Piper. ©2014 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org