Dear Devoted Disciples,
As disciples, we are also God’s children, as God’s children we are a part of His family. In the Matthew 12, we see that Jesus describes those who are truly His family.  They are those who do the will of the Father which is in Heaven.

48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples 
and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father 
in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

Matthew 12:48-50 (NLT)

A true disciple is a person of action, a person who does something. Their actions fulfill the will of the Father in Heaven.  But how “does” a disciple accomplish the will of God?  John gives us insight in the following passage.

28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, 
”The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

John 6:28-29 (NIV)

29 Jesus replied, this is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [It means that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].

John 6:29 (AMP)

The very premise of all that we do must be based in our belief in Jesus.  That is reflected in our confident trusting belief in the finished work of the Cross; our belief in His integrity and Word.

What we believe (that is what we trust and rely on) is the very power that fuels what we do.  When you and I act or do out of religious duty and obligation, we are trying to accomplish the will of God in our own strength.  When we align our doing in an attitude of faith on the very basis of “who He is” and “what He has done;” God empowers our faith to enable us to accomplish his mission.

A disciple not only aligns their doing, but they must also trust in faith when it comes to their understanding. It is by faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God.  As disciples our doing must be empowered by our faith instead of our intellect or reasoning.  Disciples live not according to their understanding, but according to the Word, placing their confidence in trusting God that He is who says He is even when we don’t understand everything.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being my heavenly Father; I am not just a servant, but I am your child.  I want to be able to say what Jesus said.  “I am about my Father’s business.”  Help my doing to be fueled by my being.  Forgive me when I have allowed my efforts to be a result of my work instead of my belief in you.  Help my unbelief as I step out to do your will today.  I choose to place my trust in who you are and what you have said.  Thank you for the Body of Christ you have given me as a family.  Empower us in this hour to reflect your name so that others might see and believe.   In Jesus Name Amen