Last issue we explored the topic of developing the listening ear—in it I made a statement that the perfect listening ear must be attached to the heart of God.  I believe that as we continue to develop our relationship with the Father we will be able to take the next step in developing the listening ear—to becoming the Encouraging Mouth.   How many times my heart has been divided between wanting to help the hurting, but was afraid of my lack of wisdom, insight or knowledge would add more pain, rather than lessen it.  As I was pondering the next level (an having received mail, phone calls and emails dealing with all kinds of troubles, trials and temptations) I came across this scripture.
 
[The Servant of God says] The Lord God has given Me the tongue of a disciple and of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.  He wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught].  The Lord God has opened My ear, and I have not been rebellious or turned backward. Isaiah 50: 4
 
Wow, what a promise.  How wonderful to know that He has promised to give us the tongue of a disciple so that we could know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.  What is the condition to be able to receive this word?  To be a disciple.  What does this verse promise?   That he would give us the tongue of a disciple.  I must therefore, submit myself to the Lord as His disciple.  When was the last time you consciously set yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?  Perhaps, as we enter this new year it would be beneficial to .deliberately, soberly but with cheerfulness yield ourselves afresh and anew to be His disciple.
  
A disciple is a learner, one who follows both the teaching and the teacher.  It comes from the Greek word, mathete, from the Greek word, manthane, “to learn,” whose root math suggests  “thought with effort put forth.”  In other words, we do this with intention.

From a distance. we can  try to follow the teachings of Christ, but I believe in order to be an effective disciple we must first follow the Teacher.  We must yield ourselves to Him—so that we will be in a place to have him wake us in the morning with words of instruction.  The words of Isaiah go on to say he has not been rebellious or turned backward—I cannot say that with honesty.  There have been times I have awoke and due to fear, selfishness and yes, rebellion have turned a deaf ear—and followed my own plans.  I had to come back to the Lord with repentance seeking His forgiveness with a new determination to submit myself to him once again.  I have set myself to be a learner—to come unto him.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30.
 
I have been a Christian over 40 years, but I confess I have not been a disciple nearly that long.  However, God calls us to be disciples.  There is nowhere in the Word that says that we graduate from discipleship school although I believe there are many “drop outs”.  The lessons change.  He may sign us up for refresher courses along the way, but we are to continually learn of him.  We can trust our Instructor, for He will teach us the ways of righteousness.
   
Dear Sisters, we don’t have to be afraid that the classes will be too hard to pass for He knows how to teach us, then test us.  He wants us to pass!  He desires us to grow in our knowledge of Him—in every facet. 
   
Matthew 28:19 says, go then and make disciples, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the  age. Amen (so let it be).
  
As disciples, we enjoy a fellowship with our Savior that cannot come from any other way.  Only as we yield ourselves to Him and His ways do we have the privilege of discovery the joy of taking up our cross and following him This leads to the opportunity of discipling others.
   
Discipling another person involves discerning where that person is, knowing where he is supposed to go, and giving him what he needs to get there. We can trust that as the Teacher has shown us exactly where we stand in our growth in him, He will show us how to help others do the same.  As we grow in our calling as a disciple, we will understand more fully what it means to be a “bond-servant of Jesus Christ.”—one who has voluntarily attached themselves to a master for willing service.  This is our call.
 
Written by:  Martha Rodman