Friendship with Followers

I read something today that I just feel like God wanted me to share with you.

I've always struggled with being intentional with one another. I was afraid that if I tell others about my past, they're going to think less of me or just not talk to me ever again. And I think part of that is not having enough boldness to share.

Ever since I became a Lifegroup leader and joined a group with two other ladies (aka we call this T2, a discipleship group), I've learned to be bold with them about what I struggle with, such as sins, quiet time, prayer, etc. I looked up to them as Paul and Timothy in my life.

Today I read from Philippians 2:19-30 along with a devotion from She Reads Truth app. This is what got my attention:

"The longer we walk with God, the more we understand through hard-won experience how life does not often match our preconceived plans. Paul writes this epistle to the Philippian church in the midst of challenging circumstances. Like Paul, we learn that while following God's will is extremely worthwhile and rewarding, it's also utterly mysterious and sometimes flat-out hard.

This is why the people we choose to surround ourselves with play such a critical role. Whether in good times or in bad, you and I thrive most when we have Paul, Timothy, and Barnabas relationships in place (Acts 9:27). We need mentors like Paul to teach us and challenge us to grow. We need friends like Barnabas to walk with us, shoulder to shoulder, as we encourage one another on in love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). And we need to invest in friends like Timothy, those who are younger in age or in the faith." http://shereadstruth.com/2015/10/09/those-who-labor-among-you/

That's a mouth full, but I needed to share that. This is important for every believer. We are going to go through trials, struggles, temptation, and hard times, and it's okay to be vulnerable (which was the hardest thing for me to do) and tell a trustworthy follower what you are struggling with. Who knows, someone may have gone through the same exact thing you're going through right now.

It's important to have a Paul, a Timothy and a Barnabas in your life. Why? We need someone to lead us into becoming a disciple, so that we can lead others that are young in their faith. We need constant encouragement pretty much every day and to be accountable to one another. These kind of people help us to keep our focus on Jesus Christ.

Jesus had 12 disciples that He constantly poured in daily. He challenged, encouraged, and loved on them during His walk on Earth. Thanks to Paul, he follows through and shares the gospel, even in prison, to model what discipleship looks like. And, thanks to 747 College Ministry and my T2 group, I have been challenged in my faith to be more like Christ and to be a disciple.

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose." Galatians 2: 20-21

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" John 8:31-32

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

A special shoutout to Bailey and Sydni for always keeping me accountable in the love of Christ.

#disciple #friendship #Jesus #Paul #Timothy #Barnabas