Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "disciple". We'll be looking at Matthew 10:24-25:

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.  KJV

This is the Greek word "mathetes". Strong's Concordance says: learner, pupil. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: it denotes one who follows one's teaching (as: the disciples of John; the disciples of Jesus). A disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent, thus spoken of as an imitator of their teacher. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: used of those who direct their minds to something. (A unique aspect of New Testament discipleship is that it is commitment to the person of Jesus. His teaching has force only when there is first this commitment to His person).  The dictionary definition of adherent is: a person who follows or upholds a leader, cause, etc.; supporter; follower, sticking; clinging; adhering to.  This would bring us to Luke 14:26-27 & 33:

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple. KJV

Of course this doesn't mean that we are actually to hate those people in our lives, but that, in comparison to how much we love and commit and adhere to Jesus, it would SEEM so. The unexplainable Truth of this adhering to Him, though, is that when we DO this, we will actually be able to love those people in our lives with a greater, deeper and more powerful love than if we didn't. This love is a more selfless love, an unconditional love and a love that will never give up or quit. The love of 1 Corinthians 13:8 that never fails! This love is evident in the quiet way that you go about being the head of your household, protecting, providing for, preferring and honoring Kristine (and she you) and your girls. There is so much strength in this kind of love that can only come from Jesus Himself! That right there is as much a preaching of the Gospel as if you stood on your roof, or on a downtown street, and shouted "Jesus is Lord"! I believe that HE wants you to know that you have made such an impression on all of those in your realm of influence simply by being YOU, in HIM. His disciple! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Greatest Of These":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!