Day 1 - Discipleship Begins With Connection

This is day one of our August 2021 - 21 days of prayer. The purpose of this blog is to encourage you over the next 21 days to become a solid disciple and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord. Each day the post will be approximately 500 words which should take about two minutes to read. (I believe in using less words and putting more meaning into the words that are used.)

We began our new series yesterday by establishing the foundation scripture which is where Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15) Think about that...Jesus wanted each one of them to be able to know who He was. Jesus wanted them to connect to Him so that they could learn from Him as His disciples. Connection is the first step to discipleship.

To know Jesus we must be connected to Him. And nothing is more important than knowing Jesus. All relationships are built on connection. Connection is necessary for exchange and exchange is necessary for growth. We need connection to Jesus everyday so that we can grow as His disciple.

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13–19, NLT)

In this dialog with His disciples, Jesus wanted them to identify their connection to Him and knowledge of who He is. He asked them a question to which they should have had the answer. After all they had been walking with Him for three years at this time. Peter answered the question correctly and Jesus commended him and pointed to the source of the revelation knowledge and the power and authority that we have as believers.

He called each one of them to follow Him and then He daily showed them His relationship with the Father. He trained them by precept and example. Showing them and then explaining what He did and why He did it. Answering their questions with patience and purpose. Jesus did everything that He could to develop the faith and trust of His disciples by connecting to them.

Are you connected to Jesus? Are you strengthening that connection everyday?

Say this: I am connected to Jesus and He values my relationship to Him.

Pray this: "Lord, thank you for calling me into a relationship with You. I will invest time in our relationship today so that I can become a stronger disciple and my faith and trust in You will grow. I belong to You!"