Page 150 - First Steps 2023

And when you find that—you find an ongoing source of joy.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their
labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But
pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two
lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm
alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend them-
selves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes
4:9-12).

Earlier, you and your discipler talked about your finding or diving
deeper into a faith community. How is that process going? Talk with your
discipler about that.

• Wholeheartedly embrace Kingdom living
When you try to live with one foot following Jesus and the other fol-
lowing anything else—it doesn’t work.
As a Jesus-follower you can’t hedge your bets. You’re either in or out.
Splitting your allegiances just makes you miserable.
So, decide: Are you a follower of Jesus or just a fan?
Not that you’ll do things perfectly. As you follow along you’ll lose Je-

sus in the crowd now and then, or find yourself doing what you know you
shouldn’t do. But a follower asks for forgiveness, learns from mistakes,
and carries on.
Fans just stop by the merch table for a T-shirt so they can remember
the show.
Jesus said this…

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love
the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

Jesus was talking about money, but he could just as easily been
referring to habits, addictions, porn, or people.

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