A Gentle Whisper -- Listening for the Voice of God Johnny Almond 5 years agoAugust 12, 2019

Vital Signs of Discipleship

If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. You cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. Count the cost. No one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. Luke 14:26-28a, 33 NLT

Sanctify your heart—consecrate your inner being to Me.

In grateful response to My mercy, love Me wholeheartedly.

Live passionately—prioritize My cause above earth’s trivial pursuits.

Live thoughtfully—ponder behavior, and reside in the moral highlands.

Live energetically—serve Me with all your strength and health.

Live creatively—allow Me to work through your unique personality.

Live loyally—make Me your Center of Gravity.

Live lovingly—adore Me with sincere affection nothing can kill.

Shoulder your cross—carry responsibilities willingly, without griping.

No difficulty or frustration begins to match the cross I carried for you.

Do not run from suffering—it is part of the landscape of obedience.

I endured excruciating pain for you—it is your turn to hang in there for Me.

There is only one way you can bear the cross I give you—grace.

Live unselfishly—put aside egocentric ambition and focus on others.

Live courageously—splinters from the cross should not surprise you.

Live nobly—follow my example; walk in My steps.

Surrender your life—count the cost of being My disciple.

Live for my glory—never seek your own.

Hold nothing back—renounce the idea of ownership.

Recognize My sovereignty—acknowledge that I rule and overrule all.

Be totally sincere in working for Me—take My business seriously.

Live humbly—do not be self-assertive; remember your place.

Live hopefully—practice downward mobility and I will promote you.

Live carefully—calculate the cost of obeying, and higher cost of rebelling.

Live radically—give up everything for Me and finish the Faith Marathon.

Johnny

Johnny R. Almond earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and a Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge. After pastoring churches for a decade, he served the Air Force as a military chaplain in worldwide assignments. After retiring from the military in 2000, he began serving as pastor in Virginia. He currently serves as pastor of Hull's Memorial Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He and his wife, Beverly, have four sons, three grandsons, and three granddaughters.