OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2020

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2020.
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP II

MEMORISE: And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach
Mark 3:14

READ: Matthew 15:15-20
15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Luke 22, John 13

MESSAGE
Availability is a key element in discipleship. A coach must always be there to answer questions and give advice. As a coach, you should always answer or return your coachee’s calls. Find time to be with them, even if it means taking them along with you on trips or to events. Just make sure you are always there for them.

There are certain things to consider before agreeing to coach and mentor someone. First, only coach and mentor people whose company you can enjoy. As we saw in our memory verse today, the first reason Jesus chose disciples was for them to keep Him company, and of course, also to work with Him.

It also shows that Jesus had seen great potential in the disciples and knew that as they worked with Him, they would become better. Don’t coach and mentor someone in whom you have not seen any potential. This is because it is that potential that will drive you to make sacrifices for the fellow. Don’t just coach and mentor someone because he/she is a relative; choose who you coach and mentor carefully.

You should also know that your followers are not slaves. Others may exploit their followers but as a Christian, you must follow Jesus’ example. He washed the feet of His disciples and even told them clearly in John 15:15:

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

Aside from that being the right thing to do, it will also model humility to them. However, Christian disciples must not take their disciplers’ humility for granted. Give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7).

Christ’s discipleship model should be the standard for all Christians.

REFLECTION
Adopt Jesus Christ’s model of discipleship in grooming those the Lord has put in your care.

HYMN 20: NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE.

1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
   E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
   Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
   Nearer to Thee.
2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
   Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
   Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.
   Nearer to Thee.
3. There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
   All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;
   Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.
   Nearer to Thee.
4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
   Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
   So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.
   Nearer to Thee.
5. Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
   Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
   Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
   Nearer to Thee.