Christ's Disciple: How To Finish Strong: Christian Growth Series
()
About this ebook
A timely book for those who long for faster, more consistent spiritual growth.
In today's Christian communities many are complacent in their ultimate destination and they neglect the importance of the journey. In so doing, they are missing out on many of the here and now benefits of their adoption into the family of God. The normal (not average) Christian is growing more like Jesus Christ as they continue their life on earth. If you long to be a disciple who brings a smile to God's face, this book is for you.
Common to all the books in the Christian Growth Series …
Intensely practical for today's Christian
Enjoyable and entertaining
Innovative application of Scripture passages
Profound truth in simple language through analogy
Impactful for all levels of spiritual maturity
Short, easy-to-read sections – ideal reading for the person "on the go"
Described as "Inspirational Doctrine" and "Living Theology"
"Think and Grow" questions for group study or personal contemplation
Robert Lloyd Russell
Robert Lloyd Russell has won 11 awards for Christian nonfiction books. His writing mission is to help readers develop a “Living Theology and Dynamic Discipleship.” He is also the Editor of transcribed messages of martyred missionary Jim Elliot. In his professional career as a Business Management Consultant, Russell was known for making complex issues easy to understand, and he carries that unique skill into his writing. His writing has been praised by a wide variety of readers – from prisoners to well-known theologians from a wide variety of perspectives. He describes himself as just a simple ABC kind of guy: Author—Blogger—Consultant. His daily “Abundant Life Now” blog at http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ has been read in over 200 countries and translated into over 100 languages. Visit his author website http://booksrlr.com/ and receive a free gift when you sign up for his occasional Newsletter.
Read more from Robert Lloyd Russell
Jim Elliot: Recorded Messages: Missions Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Temptation: 50+ Tips: Christian Theology Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPeter: Failure to Faith: Bible Character Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGideon: Wimp to Warrior: Bible Character Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJonah: Resistant to Relevant to Rebuked: Bible Character Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Light: How To Respond: Christian Growth Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPride: Good and Bad: Christian Theology Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Church: Christ's Pearl: Christian Concepts Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConscience Handbook Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSamson: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered: Bible Character Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Desire: How To Please God: Christian Growth Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExistential Threat: Your Greatest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJoseph: Victim to Victor: Bible Character Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Child: Like a Tree: Christian Concepts Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Nature: Sonlight Sunlight: Christian Concepts Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpiritual Gifts Handbook: Christian Theology Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChrist's Blood: 7+ Amazing Benefits: Christian Theology Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Christ's Disciple
Related ebooks
Thoughts of Life and Time: Strategies for Living a Complete Life (Volume 1) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMastering Life Before It's Too Late: 10 Biblical Strategies for a Lifetime of Purpose Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5War in Your Heart Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings with George Müller Written by Himself, First Part Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTouching the Invisible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Calvary Road Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExpositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chapters I to XIV Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBe Filled With The Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus' Parables of Grace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEcce Venit: Behold He Cometh Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Expositor's Bible: The Psalms, Vol. 2 : Psalms XXXIX.-LXXXIX. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUpgrade Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHeart's-ease Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Language of Grace: Learning to Hear the Gospel Well Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen We Have Failed-What Next? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Truth About Tithing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe New Creation in Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMeeting Ananias Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSowing and Reaping Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Best of Robert Murray McCheyne: 120 Daily Devotions to Nurture Your Spirit and Refresh Your Soul Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHoly in Christ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My Journey Through the Wilderness: Into the Heart of Jesus Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSlaying The Dragon; A Study In Proverbs Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Miracles of Jesus: Positioning Yourself for a Miracle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYour Healing In The Name Of Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Birth of Christ - The true meaning of Christmas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Called Unto Holiness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCourageous Christians: Devotional Stories for Family Reading Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Complete Book of Enoch: Standard English Version Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (updated with two new chapters) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 120-Book Holy Bible and Apocrypha Collection: Literal Standard Version (LSV) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When God Was A Woman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Dragon's Prophecy: Israel, the Dark Resurrection, and the End of Days Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Christ's Disciple
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Christ's Disciple - Robert Lloyd Russell
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong
First edition 7- April-2021, 1-Oct-23
Copyright © 2021 Robert Lloyd Russell
Written by Robert Lloyd Russell
Cover Photo: Public Domain: Chichén Itzá (Mayan)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the New King James Version © 1982. Other Scripture portions as noted are from:
King James Version (kjv) © 1909, now public domain
New American Standard Version (nasb) © 1960
New International Version (niv) © 1978
Good News Translation (gnt) © 1992
The Message (msg) © 1993
New American Standard—updated (nasu) © 1995
New Living Translation (nlt) 1996
New English Translation (net) © 1996
Notes: For consistency and clarity names and pronouns of God have been capitalized in all Bible quotations. All emphasis in Scripture has been added.
We hope you enjoy this book. Robert Lloyd Russell’s goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books that connect truth to real life needs and challenges. For more information on his other books based on Biblical interpretation and application, please visit his author’s website https://booksrlr.com/
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:2-4
If you find value in this book, please consider writing an online review. This would be very much appreciated by the author.
Introduction
Unfortunately, in today’s Christian communities many are so satisfied with their ultimate destination that they neglect the importance of the journey. By so doing they are missing out on many here and now benefits of their adoption into the family of God.
I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that average Christianity today is so below par that if one truly lived the Christian life as God desires they would be considered abnormal.
Many books about living a victorious Christian life focus on the basic spiritual disciplines
such as regular reading the Word of God, regular prayer, on-going fellowship, and so forth. While these are all critically important factors, they are not what this book is about. While the traditional Christian disciplines are vital there is much material readily available on that subject.
The message of this book focuses on understanding the process of forming and maintaining good habits—including, but far from limited to, the spiritual disciplines. There is a critical sequence of steps required for on-going victorious Christian living.
The title of this book, Christ’s Disciple
was chosen with care. This is not a book about being a Christian because my parents are, or because I attend church most Sundays. A disciple is an intentional follower of their leader. It is an active purposeful focus of their lives. This book is for those who with the Apostle Paul can admit:
‘I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?’ Yes. I’m full of myself — after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge (Romans 7:14b-23 msg).
This book is for those who understand they are in process, but long for a faster spiritual growth. The concepts presented will not provide instant Christ likeness however the author and many others have found the principles in this book very helpful in both their understanding of the process and their personal spiritual progress.
It is a book for those who can identify with what John Newton said:
I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still
I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God
I am what I am.
I like the way Charles Spurgeon put it: ‘You are no saint,’ says the devil. Well if I’m not, I am a sinner, and Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Sink or swim, I go to Him; other hope, I have none.
With that being said, the normal, not average, Christian is growing more like Jesus Christ as they continue their life on earth. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
Prolog
You can’t change what has happened in your life so far.
It’s how you live the rest of your life that you can manage.
What is your definition of success? I once heard a story about a kamikaze pilot. It seems that it was his 28th mission! Unfortunately, that is often the story of well-meaning Christians who desire to live a life pleasing to their Lord. Has that been true for you?
Some Christians have great desire to live a Godly life but keep falling into a feeling of helplessness. They just don’t see a way out of particular habitual sin patterns.
A common contemporary saying is, The definition of insanity is to keep on doing what you’ve been doing and expecting a different result.
Yet often, because of habits that is how we live our Christian lives.
If you are frustrated with the progress in your Christian life this book is for you. The purpose of this book is to show a clear path for moving forward in our Christian maturity. As the author, I have two primary goals for my readers.
First, a presentation of a clear and straightforward process that enables anyone to become more Christ-like regardless of the environment in which they are living.
Second, do so in such a way as to be meaningful regardless of the level of Christian maturity a reader has already gained.
Success Is Not Final
Success has been defined in literally thousands of ways. In my career as a management consultant I collected definitions of success, most of which came from secular sources. One of my favorites: You are a success if at your funeral there are six pall-bearers none of which look at their watch.
Many have risen to extreme levels of success only to find it was temporary. This is true in the financial world, in our relationships with other people, and in all the areas of life that one might define as success.
Success Can Be Final
Perhaps everyone would desire to be a success at the end of their life.
Abraham Lincoln showed real insight when he said, I'd rather lose in a cause that will ultimately succeed, than succeed in one that will ultimately fail.
One of my favorite sayings is, Don’t sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate.
Jesus said, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Matthew 16:26).
Final success is possible and will be rewarded when hearing, Well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of your Lord
(Matthew 25:23).
Failure Is Not Final
From an anonymous writer: Jacob was a cheater, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was depressed, Moses stuttered, Zacchaeus was short, King David had an affair, Peter had a temper, Paul was a murderer, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead. Now, what’s your excuse?
God doesn’t