SALT Challenge - Discipleship

This week over on the SALT blog it was Hazel's turn to set the challenge and she chose discipleship. She has an excellent write up on the SALT blog, be sure to check it out! When I was thinking about the challenge I was having a tough time coming up with a way to focus the thought of discipleship into a project. I am most thankful to my husband for suggesting I read Psalm 86 where David prays, "teach me your way, O Lord", which was a perfect heading for this week's study. As Hazel mentions on the SALT blog, Christian discipleship involves learning about Christ through Bible reading and church attendance, practicing obedience to His commands, and seeking to be more Christ-like each and every day. In Psalm 86 David confesses his lowliness and neediness of a Savior; he then meditates on the excellencies of the Lord, praising him for His compassion, longsuffering, graciousness, mercy, and truth. David goes on to ask God to teach him to be like Christ, to walk in His truth, to unite his heart to glorify His name forever. Through this type of prayer, David was asking God to help him in his discipleship. One of the joys and mysteries of the Christian walk is that you never stop learning or growing. The Bible, no matter how many times you may read it, is forever unfolding in it's glorious truths. There is never a dull moment in our Christian lives for God is forever using every day circumstances - good and bad - to teach us how to fulfill the great commission, "love the Lord you God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul. And love your neighbor as yourself." There is no real, lasting sorrow in serving Christ, only lasting joy and a gratefulness at being called one of His disciples. For my layout today (another digital scrapbook page! Yeah!), I wanted to illustrate the concept of God being our heavenly Father and leading His children by showing my husband, an earthly Father, leading one of his children. A child can be frightened and unsure of the world around him, as our youngest was the first time at the ocean, so can we when we're hit with uncertainties and heartache. Yet, as a Father loves, cares, and protects his children (holding our son and comforting him when scared of the waves and teaching him trust that we'll watch over him) God loves, cares, and protects us when we face difficult trials. May we be encouraged by knowing that as a disciple, God will never leave or forsake us, and in that truth may we allow God to teach us to trust Him competely. Please visit the SALT blog to see all of the other team's beautiful creations! And a reminder that the deadline for design team submissions in on 2/15. We've received some wonderful work and are looking forward to introducing you to the new team members in a few weeks!!