Phase 1 Week 9 The Outward Discipline of Submission & Service March 15-21

[Steve Smith]

Comment; 

1. Freedom corresponds to submission: it is the ability to lay down 

the TERRIBLE BURDEN of always needing to get our own way. The 

obsession to demand that things go the way we want them to go is one 

of the greatest bondage in society. 

 

2. Jesus calls us to self-denial without self-hatred. Self-denial is 

simply a way of coming to understands that we do not have to have our 

own way. Our happiness is not dependent upon getting what we want. 

3. As the cross is the sign of submission, so the towel is the sign of 

service. Matt. 20:25-28 authority is not found in a position or title, 

but in a towel. 

 

4. Page 138 talks about the service of listening “the first service 

that one owes to others in fellowship consists in listening to them. 

Just as love for God begins with listening to His word, so the 

beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.” 

 

I look forward to reading your post. Please do not fall out by the 

way. Commit to finishing strong! I am praying for you!

[(jlc126)]

[Anish Kuriachen]

Hi Joscelyn, 

Thank you sister for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed reading your post.

 Spiritual discipline does not allow for us to have our own way, even though His way looks difficult for us, but Jesus is with us to overcome the situation.

Jesus said "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. " (Matthew 7:14)

With Prayers

Anish

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Thank You

Best Regards
Anish

[Anish Kuriachen]

Dear All,

Please see my comments below.

with Prayers

Anish

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 9:09 AM, Steve Smith <youthlea...@gmail.com> wrote:

Comment; 

1. Freedom corresponds to submission: it is the ability to lay down 

the TERRIBLE BURDEN of always needing to get our own way. The 

obsession to demand that things go the way we want them to go is one 

of the greatest bondage in society. 

 When we submit to Jesus, we got freedom from Sin and bondage. But it is not giving us a licence to live our own way. We are getting freedom from worldly things because of our submission.  When we think about freedom in its totality, we believe that this is an opportunity to do whatsoever we want to do.  If we do not have our own way we become angry, bitter and sometimes spiteful towards certain individuals.  This sometimes causes us to refuse to give our support or validate another person’s project. According to Foster “In submission we are at last free to value other people. Their dreams and plans become important to us. We have entered into a new, wonderful, glorious freedom—the freedom to give up our own rights for the good of others”. According to Richard J. Foster there are seven acts of submission:

 

1.    To the Triune God  

2.    To the Scripture   

3.    To our family.     

4.    To our neighbor.   

5.    To the believing community.   

6.    To the broken and despised

7.    To the world.  

 

Therefore we need to recognize that life is not all about us it is our responsibility to enjoy true freedom by truly demonstrating submission. 

2. Jesus calls us to self-denial without self-hatred. Self-denial is 

simply a way of coming to understands that we do not have to have our 

own way. Our happiness is not dependent upon getting what we want. 

Self-denial declares that we are of infinite worth and shows us how to realize it. Self-contempt denies the goodness of the creation; self-denial affirms that it is indeed good. Jesus made the ability to love ourselves the prerequisite for our reaching out to others (Matt. 22:39). Self-love and self-denial are not in conflict. More than once Jesus made it quite clear that self-denial is the only sure way to love ourselves. “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 10:39). We are called to a life of self denial; it is required that we deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Jesus.  This is not a very simple request; however each day we have the responsibility to ask Jesus to give us the grace to follow His precepts.  Once we come to terms that we do not need to have our own way as it relates to our wants; we should be able to focus on the will of God

3. As the cross is the sign of submission, so the towel is the sign of 

service. Matt. 20:25-28 authority is not found in a position or title, 

but in a towel. 

Jesus demonstrated to his disciples, using the towel and a basin after the last supper that we ought to serve one another.  We must emulate his teachings, especially if we believe that He is our perfect example.  We should not be caught up with our titles or positions; our responsibility is to serve and not expects others to serve us. The greatest among us should be the one who serves. “the greatest among you will be your servant”. (Matthew 23:11) 

 

4. Page 138 talks about the service of listening “the first service 

that one owes to others in fellowship consists in listening to them. 

Just as love for God begins with listening to His word, so the 

beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.” 

As Richard Foster reminds us “we do not need to be trained professionals to be good listeners.  The most important requirements are compassion and patience.  We do not have to have the correct answers to what is been talked about to be a good listener.” 

We should allow others to complete the conversation or their emotions, so that we will get clear picture and which will help us to answer others. Once we develop the attitude in listening to others, we will certainly not find it difficult to be silent and listen as God speaks to us.To listen to others quiets and disciplines the mind to listen to God.It creates an inward working upon the heart that transforms the affections, even the priorities, of life. When we have grown dull in listening to God, we would do well to listen to others in silence and see if we do not hear God through them. “Anyone who thinks that his time is too valuable to spend keeping quiet will eventually have no time for God and his brother, but only for himself and for his own follies.

 

 

I look forward to reading your post. Please do not fall out by the 

way. Commit to finishing strong! I am praying for you!

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[Steve Smith]

Hi Anish i enjoy reading your post great job!

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[prodigalson973]

On Monday, March 16, 2015 at 9:09:05 AM UTC-4, Steve Smith wrote:

[prodigalson973]

I notice you pulled the structure in which Foster stated the 7 acts of service that was big for me, because I now view them from a point of priority as well.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 12:15:53 AM UTC-4, Anish Kuriachen wrote:

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