I discovered today we have a blog on our website! Who knew?! So here goes:
This week my accountability group has begun a new venture. It is about learning to be a disciple. The Shema – the prayer the Jew would pray several times a day is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It reads:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
There are some really important verbs in this prayer!
* Hear – Listen to the truth that we live by: The Lord is one.
* Love – Love the Lord with all your everything!
* Impress – carve these deeply on your children
* Talk – Make it a regular part of your conversation
* Tie – don’t just go over them, bind them so you can’t get away from it
* Write – make it visible even where you live so when people come in contact with you at home or in public, they know who you are and WHOSE you are.
There is lots more content there, but the main idea is, we are here to honor God with everything. And that prayer was prayed multiple times daily to keep it ever before them.
My accountability group is praying a prayer too. It is not the Shema, although that would be a good one too. It is the Disciple-maker’s Prayer created by Cadre Ministries. It helps us be more aware of God’s move around us. I will share it with you. Perhaps, you too, will begin praying so you can share your life with others.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving me a disciple-making way of life in Christ Jesus. As I go through every part of this day, help me to love you and love the people who cross my path-starting with my family.
Don’t let me miss the adventures you are sending my way to live and speak the Good News about Jesus today. Draw my heart to you and to specific people you want me to pull close for Jesus-like disciple-making friendships.
By your Word, and Spirit, transform me into a follower of Jesus who loves you, loves people, and makes disciples – who make more disciples, ad infinitum.
– In Jesus’ name, Amen
I encourage you to walk with Jesus today. Let Him open your eyes to new experiences. He will train you if you are willing! Be blessed!
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