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    A Pleasing Disciple: Following His Footsteps
    A Pleasing Disciple: Following His Footsteps
    A Pleasing Disciple: Following His Footsteps
    Ebook222 pages2 hours

    A Pleasing Disciple: Following His Footsteps

    By Tracie Tackett

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    About this ebook

    The Christian life is not an easy one. Satan longs to get his hooks in us and challenge us every step of the way. To combat him and to draw closer to God, its essential to gain insight and knowledge of the Scriptures.

    Full of inspiration, A Pleasing Disciple is a Christian-based curriculum for those in every stage of spiritual maturity, from the new convert who requires help in understanding the value of true discipleship, to the lifelong churchgoer who has the desire to cultivate a more intimate relationship with God. Tracie Tackett delivers honest, Bible-based studies to start you on the path to understanding how the Scriptures can be a blueprint for your life.

    Short, easy-to-read chapters contain lessons on key aspects of the Christian life with accompanying verses to ground you in the Word of God. Questions for further reflection and learning follow each chapter. Topics include searching the Scriptures, spending time with God, putting God first, and many more.

    Patterned and compiled to serve as a Bible study guide for either one person or an entire classroom, A Pleasing Disciple can help you develop an intimate knowledge of the Bible and a closer relationship with its Creator.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisheriUniverse
    Release dateMay 14, 2013
    ISBN9781475989113
    A Pleasing Disciple: Following His Footsteps
    Author

    Tracie Tackett

    Tracie Tackett currently lives with her husband, Tommy, and their three children in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. She has written Christian-based curriculum for the last several years.

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      Book preview

      A Pleasing Disciple - Tracie Tackett

      A PLEASING DISCIPLE

      FOLLOWING HIS FOOTSTEPS

      Copyright © 2013 Tracie Tackett.

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

      iUniverse

      1663 Liberty Drive

      Bloomington, IN 47403

      www.iuniverse.com

      1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

      Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

      The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

      Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

      Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

      ISBN: 978-1-4759-8910-6 (sc)

      ISBN: 978-1-4759-8912-0 (hc)

      ISBN: 978-1-4759-8911-3 (ebk)

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2013908571

      iUniverse rev. date: 5/8/2013

      Contents

      Part One

      Chapter One       It All Starts With You!

      Chapter Two       The More You Know

      Chapter Three       Stepping Into The Light

      Chapter Four       Searching The Scriptures

      Chapter Five       Become A Receptacle And Receive

      Chapter Six       Spending Time With God

      Chapter Seven       Christian Characteristics

      Chapter Eight       Living By The Word

      Chapter Nine       Beware Of The Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

      Chapter Ten       Intolerant Christians

      Chapter Eleven       Putting God Back In It

      Chapter Twelve       Life At A Whole New Level

      Part Two

      Old Testament Beginnings

      Understanding the New Testament

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

      Challenge Yourself

      Glossary and Biblical Definitions

      NIV - New International Version Bible

      KJV - King James Version of the Bible

      Abbreviations For The Books Of The Bible

      Part One

      Chapter One

      It All Starts With You!

      We all know that life is too short to take for granted. We all know that the Lord gave us this life so we may live it in abundance (KJV, John 10:10). But lets look at the meaning of the word abundance.

      So many of us think that abundance means to get as much stuff as our credit cards will allow. Material possessions are what determines how successful a person is. How big the house is that we live in, or the brand of car we drive, even the personal appearance that we present when we walk through the mall.

      That is not what it means at all to live life abundantly. It’s all about the things that are free in life, that we hold so dear. Our relationships with our spouse or children. The respect of our friends, the love of our parents, and yes our personal connection to our Lord and Savior.

      Until we realize that we are unable to live our life without the one who created life we will not be able to reach complete fulfillment. Which in turn means we will never have the ultimate joy of really living (KJV, Is 35:10).

      I must confess that I had my own battles with this idea, that if the Lord loved me so much and wanted me to get the most out life, well why then didn’t he bless me a little more in the financial areas of my life. I didn’t want to be rich, but my husband and I were tired of struggling to get by from week to week. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, having to tell our kids they couldn’t go any where or do anything because we didn’t have the money.

      Then one day as I was praying for guidance and council in the midst of our financial turmoil, the Lord spoke to me. He told me that I didn’t need to pray for more money to accommodate for the abundant life I had in my mind. But I already had it. My husband and I have been married now for almost twenty years, we have three great children who love the Lord. No we don’t have extra but we our are able to make our house and car payments, make our utility bills and eat, what more do we really need.

      I discovered through the Holy Spirit that sometimes the ones that the Lord loves the most is the ones that have the least. The Bible tells me in 1Timothy 6:10 that the love of money is the root of all evil. So why would the Lord want to expose the ones that are his to evil, he wouldn’t.

      Take Charge and Make Changes

      Changing our mind-set is difficult; old habits are hard to break, and discovering self-discipline often takes continuous courage. Where do we get the strength to make the necessary changes that are required for such a transformation. Well I tell you, just drop to your knees, bow your head and ask Jesus for help. Yes, it is that simple. If you genuinely want to make improvements in relationships, in your health, in your financial situations or just in your outlook toward life, he is the one to ask. No, you don’t need some beautiful well thought out prayer, all you need is a pure sincere heart.

      KJV, Ps 139:23 - Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.

      Sincerity plays the key role in beginning a relationship with the Lord, for he knows and sees all.

      Seeking Salvation

      Understanding salvation is really very simple. Its believing that God gave his only son to die for you and me on the cross. He gave his life so we may know eternal life. Many people believe that because they are generally a good person and have upstanding morals that they will go to heaven, wrong. You must be saved, you first must ask to be forgiven for the past sins you have committed, and ask Jesus into your life. It is that simple. We must all realize that there is not one person on this earth who does not sin, and usually on an everyday basis.

      NIV, Ro 3:10-12 - As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.

      So as you can see the Lord does not expect perfection before salvation is asked for. We have nothing to be ashamed of in our past, because after we call on the Lord to come into our lives he wipes the slate clean. I wish I could be that forgiving.

      NIV, Ro 4:7-8 - Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.

      Isn’t is wonderful that we can ask the Lord for forgiveness and in return he gives us the gift of eternal life in heaven. I can’t even put my mind around the image of how beautiful the new Jerusalem will be, how perfect my loved ones will look, and the feeling of unconditional love and peace will feel. I can’t think of a more perfect gift to share with those you love.

      You can read more about the new Jerusalem in Revelation Chapter 21, but for now we must continue the journey to finding our current peace.

      To experience what I have just mentioned we must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Except the fact that God so loved the world (you and me) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

      KJV, Jo 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

      KJV, Ro 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

      Retransform, Resurface and Reconstruct

      Now you are to the point where something warm and wonderful is about to happen to you. It’s the process we Christians call being reborn. I know it can be a scary thought, but I promise you are going to love the feeling. You really aren’t going to be aware of it at first. It is not an immediate transformation, but you’re on the right path. Being reborn is the process of where your mind, your heart and your awareness is heightened by spiritual bliss. The Holy Spirit is going to make his debut inside your personal temple (your body).

      KJV, Jo 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

      NIV, Ro 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

      The spiritual rebirthing process, is like the Bible says it is, a renewing of your mind. The Holy Spirit makes a home in your heart, and therefore ignites a desire to become closer to God. You learn to trust the Lord, not only to help you deal with everyday issues, but he gives you the wisdom to make right choices. The more your relationship blossoms the more freedom you have from anxieties and the more comfortable you will become in your own skin. It doesn’t matter what you are dealing with, ask the Lord and your new companion the Holy Spirit will guide you. I like to think of him as my own personal, fully equipped GPS system.

      Open your heart, open your mind, open your mouth and ask. I guarantee you shall receive, if it be the Lord’s will.

      The Lord’s Will?

      That’s right, you heard me. If it be the Lord’s will.

      We are a society of wants. We want what we want and we want it now. This is not however, the way of the patient Christian. Even as a faithful Christian, we are all flawed to our own desires, and temptations. Always remember that just because you belong to the Lord now, don’t think that the devil is not still out there and constantly circling. He is always on the prowl and always trying to discourage you. Don’t think for a second that just because you just got saved that you will never have problems again, because if anything it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. Only now you are better equipped to handle those trials that come along.

      For me to best explain this concept, I need you to understand that God has a master plan.

      NIV, Jer 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.

      Before you were even born he knew the kind of person you would be, what twist and turns your path of life would consist of. He planned and allowed all the disappointments, and low points of our life to happen just as he allowed all the blessings to occur. One reason being that if we don’t have bad things happen to us how can we be appreciative to all the good. It’s hard to comprehend why God would allow turmoil in our life, but he allowed it because he loves us.

      It’s hard to remember to thank God for everything, but it’s even harder to remember to thank God for the rough times too. But if I didn’t have those terrible times of hardship that I spoke of earlier, I can’t say for sure what kind of person I would be today. God defines our character by putting us through test, and through these test he strengthens our faith while building on our trust.

      This doesn’t mean that we are never going to give into temptation, or have moments of weakness in our faith, and maybe even fail a test or two. But it does mean that if we do make a mistake, we know it, we confess it, and then we learn from it.

      One of the best stories in the Bible is Job. The gospel cannon tells a story of the kind of test I‘m speaking of. Things in this life happen for a reason, some reasons we will never know the why or the meaning of. But that’s OK , because the Lord did bless me with enough understanding to know, that I may never understand.

      Chapter One Review Questions

      Webster defines discipleship as a pupil or follower that accepts and helps to spread his master’s teachings; training that produces orderliness, obedience, self-control; result of such training in order, conduct, etc. System of rules; maintenance of subordination.

      As disciples of Christ how does our perspective change? _______________________________

      _______________________________

      _______________________________

      Jo, 10:10 _______________________________

      _______________________________

      _______________________________

      List the things that you hold in abundance. _______________________________

      _______________________________

      _______________________________

      1Ti, 6:10 _______________________________

      _______________________________

      _______________________________

      Sometimes the ones that the Lord loves the most is the ones that have the very least. How does 1Ti, 6:10 coincide with this statement? _______________________________

      _______________________________

      _______________________________

      Sincerity plays the key

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