The Kingdom of God; Encountering and Spending Time with Jesus... The Comfort and Advocacy of Jesus/ Rashea@LLO2 Academy
The Gathering of Disciples and Leaders
When Jesus called people to discipleship and leadership He:
.Saw and called them.
.Discerned, perceived and then called them.
.Saw them, communicated the Kingdom of God and the tasks at hand, demonstrated the Kingdom of God and then called them.
.Healed and called them.
.Delivered and called them.
.Saved and called them.
.Prayed and called them.
Whatever avenue Jesus utilized to gather His disciples, empowering them to be leaders of leaders and leaders of people required:
.Prayer.
.Practical communication and supernatural demonstration of what the Kingdom of God is.
.A divine calling (fully unlocking one's purpose and potential).
.A wholehearted commitment to follow Jesus.
The Daily Practices of Jesus
Jesus did not expect anything from us that He Himself did not regularly practice.
Prayer and fasting, spending time with God the Father, obedience to God the Father's will, and walking in the order and love of God were daily practices of Jesus. He taught His disciples and leaders to practice the same regimen not as one who is Christ Himself but one who is a follower of Christ. Jesus had a personal relationship with God the Father and revealed the Father through Himself and the many miracles He performed.
Jesus taught that whoever receives salvation through Him has a personal relationship with God the Father as well. As the Holy Spirit lived within Jesus and empowered Him to do many miracles, the Holy Spirit lives within us and helps us to live a life full of purpose and peace as well. God is peace, and Jesus revealed that He Himself is our peace (John 14:27).
God is not torment. He delivered many people from the spirit of torment. Jesus gives us peace and a living hope. Anything or anyone tormenting you is an enemy of your peace, God's peace in your life.
God is comfort. He brought comfort and redemption to many people throughout His ministry on earth. He brought comfort and redemption through the gospel.
Jesus promised not to leave us without comfort or an Advocate. We who are in Christ have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Who is our Comforter and Advocate. The Holy Spirit makes ongoing intercession for us. His advocacy brings us comfort and resolve. (John 14:18, 23 & 26, 16:7; Romans 8:26-27.)
The same comfort and advocacy that Jesus received through prayer, we receive through prayer. Jesus exemplified the power of prayer and spending time with God. He allowed the ministry work of the Holy Spirit to bring comfort and advocacy to those around Him.
Jesus was a divine Conduit of the Kingdom of God. He taught us that through Him and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we, too, are conduits of comfort and advocacy to those around us. The peace of God should permeate through us. People should fill the comfort and advocacy of Jesus when they come into our presence.
Religion does not bring us closer to God. Religion does not bring comfort and divine advocacy. Having a personal relationship with Jesus and spending time with Him does.
Jesus is Comfort. Jesus is Peace. Jesus is our Example and Advocate of a Living Hope.
Rashea@LLO2