Day 2: Laying the Foundation

Key verse:

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" - Luke9:23

Matthew 4:19 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"

Notice the clear order of operation: Follow first, and then you will be equipped to be a "Fisher of men." This principle aligns with the ancient Rabbinic method, which emphasizes a period of observation and learning before any public action.

KNOW GOD BEFORE MAKING HIM KNOWN.

Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

An active life of faith carries a profound cost of commitment. It requires daily self-denial and the willingness to embrace the challenges of discipleship—the "cross."

The scriptures consistently illustrate the importance of waiting on God's timing and taking the necessary time to prepare:

· Jesus’ Example: Jesus was approximately thirty years old when He began His public ministry. While this doesn't set a minimum age for us, it powerfully models the need to wait for God’s perfect timing and to invest time in equipping ourselves to lay a solid foundation.

· Paul’s Seclusion: The Apostle Paul also took a significant period of seclusion—about three years—in Arabia to equip himself and establish a strong spiritual foundation before beginning his public ministry.

· Elisha’s Apprenticeship: Elisha followed and faithfully served the Prophet Elijah for an estimated six years. His dedication was so intense that he refused to depart from Elijah, wanting to absorb everything he could learn. This dedication resulted in a ministry that was said to have produced double the miracles of Elijah, a fulfillment of his request for a double portion of the spirit.

If you had a child, would you assign them a complex task without first demonstrating how to carry it out properly?

The Scriptures highlight that believers progress through various levels of spiritual maturity, moving from a new convert to a seasoned disciple. While perfection is not the immediate goal, progress toward the standard of Christ is.

If we are new to the faith, or if we haven't consistently engaged in our spiritual development, the priority must be to properly equip ourselves and lay a solid foundation before stepping into a life of outward expression and active ministry.

Reflection/Activation

Abide in your relationship with Jesus.

Make sure that you are actively equipping yourself.

Make time to pray for the Lord to use you and send you.

Prayer:

Thank you, Father, for calling us for a purpose that is much higher than ourselves. Lord help me to understand and value the time of preparation and equipping before I live outwards. Let me desire and follow you increasingly so that I can be a well-equipped fisher of men. Amen.