Whatever Happened to:
Determination – While most of us view this as hard headed tenacity, it is also a position or opinion or judgment reached after much consideration. The cost is counted, the calling of God considered and the commitment to being His faithful and loyal servant causes all other courses to be deemed inconsequential. It is a position of love, understanding confidence and great assurance. When God determines anything, it is for our benefit to agree with Him.
2Chronicles 2:1 And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Act 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Acts 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark 1Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified 2Corinthians 2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
Duty – Can there be any more noble effort than doing that which is expected? God’s Word specifically refers to duty in two areas; Man’s relationship to God, and man’s relationship to his marriage. This is fascinating as the Lord often uses a marriage relationship analogy when referring to our spiritual relationship. We are His bride!
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 1Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 1Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?Discipleship – Someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another is counted as their disciple. In the Greek it is a word that means a learner or taught one. It requires effort and commitment. Everyone is someone’s disciple; the one you follow is your discipler. Notice the constraints of Scripture below: Believe, continue in (do) the teachings, love other disciples, and produce more disciples.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; John 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.Dedication – Complete and wholehearted fidelity. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires for us to be dedicated to Him and His cause; redeeming the lost from sin. Dedication is by the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action. In our relationship with Christ it is holding fast to His truth, His way, His Life. It is often seen as a willingness to pay a great personal price.
The Hebrew word kaw-dash’ means to cause, or pronounce as clean (ceremonially or morally). It is associated with the word kaw-ram’ meaning to consecrate, or dedicate for religious purposes. Both have the thought of sanctifying ones self and to be wholly dedicated.
Joshua 14:14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. 2Chronicles 7:5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. Psalm 30:1 A Psalm [and] Song [at] the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. Hebrews 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take your crown.Desiring His Best – Whatever we do, is to be done to His glory, for His benefit, to please Him. We want all that we are and all that is to be the best it can be so it will bring Him Glory!
2Samauel 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever. 2Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.Dying to self – As human beings, we prefer to pleasure, pamper and please ourselves. Each feels we are worthy of great consideration and comfort. Yet our Lord has a different view of His disciples. To be like Him means doing as He did; dying to that which should have been His. When He deserved to be worshipped and adored he chose to despised and abhorred. He willingly gave up His life so we might have life.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.