"Woe Is Not Just For Horses"

When growing up I would often hear the word “Woe” used when a person was trying to get a horse to stop. In the movies this word woe had power, and always seems to work. Something very interesting caught my attention as I was reading a passage of scripture earlier. I was reading Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 9:16 he said “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” I then decided to dig a little further in the scriptures concerning the word “Woe” . Did you know the word Woe is listed in the King James Bible 125 times? This word was used by many prophets as well as Jesus. I thought it would be interesting to list a few verses that had the word Woe in it. I think as believers we should train ourselves to immediately STOP when we read the word “Woe” in the scriptures. God is screaming too many of you today “WOE”, but instead of taking heed you are continuing on a path that could be destructive. If you find your situation below I pray that you would listen to the Word of the Lord and take heed. Hebrews 4:7 says "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

Jer.23 [1] Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD.

Mic.2 [1] Woe to those who scheme iniquity, who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, for it is in the power of their hands.

Zeph.3 [1] Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!

Matt.23 [13] "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Luke 6: [25] Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Lam.5 [16] The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

Mark.14 [21] The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Rev.8 [13] As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!

Luke.17 [1] Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.

Job.10 [15] If I am guilty—woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and drowned in my affliction.

“Become A Better Disciples In 2010”

I have prayed about what I would like to do better is 2010 some would call this a New Years resolution. The first thing that popped in my spirit was to become a better disciple. For years now I have prayed for stuff that I really should be doing already. Like being a better man, or becoming a better friend. But this year I have decided I want God to make me a better disciple for him. A disciple is someone who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. Being a disciple requires you to push your agenda to the side for Christagenda. Contrary to what you may believe, Jesus did not die on the cross to push your agenda. Disciples are important in Gods Kingdom because we are the tool he chose to carry the message of salvation to all the people of the world. He included this as a command in His last words before His ascension to heaven in Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

As I'm learning and maturing in God I noticed that discipleship is an area I need to grow in. It's easy to think that we have made it because we know a few scriptures but knowing the scripture and living them are two separate entities. My faith in Jesus Christ is so sure that it really shouldn’t be hard for me to tell others about him. This walk with the Lord isn’t something I’m doing because I have nothing else better to do, but this thing is so real to me. You are probably asking yourself, how can he be so sure that Christ is real? Well I am sure because I have experienced him and his power (and trust me there is nothing like it)! Not only is being a better disciple important but training disciples is just as important. I can try and spread Gods Word by my self but how much easier is it if more of us join in this cause. Deuteronomy 32:30 says “one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight”. In order to train disciples we have to be willing to spend time and teach people this Gospel. Jesus spent more than three years making disciples—teaching and training His chosen twelve. Even though He spoke to the crowds, he often drew the disciples aside privately to teach them the meaning of His parables and miracles.

There are a few things you must do in order to be an effect disciple; First you must have faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:12 “I tell you the truth; anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” Second a disciple is one who knows how to read, study, and meditate upon the Word of God, to hide its truths in his heart. It is impossible to walk in the fullness of God's Holy Spirit without an understanding of God's Word. Third a disciple of Jesus should be a man or woman of prayer. The Lord Jesus Christ, who spent 40 days in prayer and fasting in the wilderness, is our great example of this. A prayer life is developed when you make your self pray even when you don’t feel like it. Last but certainly not least a disciple must receive the Holy Ghost. The reason this is so important is because the Holy Ghost gives you power and authority over the devil. Right before Jesus ascended into heaven he told the disciples in Luke 24:49 “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." It’s important to note that he said stay in the city until you have received this power. As a disciple you must learn to be patient and receive all that God has for you before moving out too quickly. So as this year is coming to a close I pray that you all would join me in this New Year’s resolution. Lets all become better disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ.

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