Akin to the word “disciple” is the word “discipline.”  A disciple is more than a learner of Jesus. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. No not a fan, one who only wants Jesus when Jesus seems to do everything that makes you happy.  Disciples trust Jesus when they can’t trace Jesus.  They follow Jesus when they don’t feel Jesus. Why?  They are disciplined.  Proverbs 3: 11-12 (NIV) says, “My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Today partner with the Lord by being a vessel committed to bringing discipline to the relationship.  A relationship with Him is not a something for nothing engagement but a something for something engagement!

In the Bible 19 is associated with God's perfect order in regard to his judgment.  Today let’s seek to get our houses in order.  Let’s seek to order our affairs so that we will be prepared should the Lord come or call us!  Do you have insurance?  Do you have a will?  Do you have your matters in order?   But more than these being in order is your life in order?  Do you have the blessed assurance that you are prepared to meet our King, Jesus, if He was to call for you today?  Get right with God and do it now!  Get right with God and He will show you how! “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40, NKJV).

On one particular Sabbath, while teaching in a Synagogue, Jesus healed a woman that had a 'spirit of infirmity' which had bent her over for 18 years!  He broke the bondage of a malady that had held this woman captive.  The truth of the matter is Jesus is still in the healing business today! He can break your bondage!  Where you need a healing today, bring it to Him! “He was wounded^[a] for our transgressions, He was ^[b]bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes^[c] we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, NKJV).

In the Bible the number 17 symbolizes "overcoming the enemy" and "complete victory." God overcame the sins of rebellious humans when he began to flood the earth through rain on the 17th of the second Hebrew month. Noah's ark and its eight passengers rested on the mountains of Ararat on the 17th of the seventh month (right in the middle of God's annual Holy period known as the Feast of Tabernacles).

Jesus Christ gained a complete victory over death and the grave when God resurrected him near sunset on Nisan 17 (Saturday, April 8, 30 A.D.).  Jesus’ victory has positioned us to be victorious people.  Today don’t settle for living in defeat in any area of your life.  Seek to have complete victory.  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

The number 8 in the Bible represents a new beginning, meaning a new order or creation. 16 is eight twice. While there is only one new beginning of salvation through Jesus Christ for the believer, there should be and can be several new beginnings for all believers after salvation.  Claim a new beginning for your life right now!  Pray to God to make a new ending today so that you can start anew.  According to Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV), God says, “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

The number 15 in the Bible pictures rest, which comes after deliverance, represented by fourteen. The 15th day of the first Hebrew month (Nisan) is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a day of rest for the children of Israel (and for Christians). The 15th day of the 7th Hebrew month begins the Feast of Tabernacles, also a day of rest.  The Bible also teaches us that Sabbath is associated with rest.  However, in the scriptures Sabbath is more than a day. It is a principle.  Hebrews 4:1-3 (NKJV) states: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, ^[a]not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.³ For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Since you believe in God, don’t allow anything to stop you from entering into God’s rest!  Today pray that your spirit is open to resting in God and if you are in need of physical rest, do something to plan or facilitate you getting it.  If you don’t take a break, you may break!

Many saints are saved but they are not yet delivered! Some live lives that do not reflect who Christ is though they have received Christ. However, to be saved is to be delivered. It is to be delivered from the authority and control of sin. According to the Word of God, the believer will be saved from enemies (Luke 1:71), sin (Rom. 10:1, 9-10), bondage (Acts 7:25), and sickness and disease (Acts 4:12). The word “salvation” comes from the Greek word, soteria, which means deliverance. Salvation, in the New Testament, refers to eternal and temporary deliverance from danger.   No matter what we are facing, God is able to deliver us!  Today pray to God and ask God to help you to be both saved and delivered.  Jesus taught us to pray, “And lead not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13, KJV).

Some see 13 as an unfortunate and unfavorable number.  But Jesus was the 13^th man in His group. The 13^th man was the teacher, the leader, and the Master. The 13^th man was the model for the 12 disciples to pattern and measure their lives by.  Today as you partner with God, don’t measure your life by any other person but Jesus.  He is the very best example for all life. Ephesians 4:13 (NKJV) says, “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Twelve is the number Kingdom Government.  We are residents of the earth but citizens of heaven. While we obey the laws of this land, our lives are governed by divine law. We have a ruler greater than the rulers of the earth.  Hark the herald, angels sing!  Glory to the newborn King! Our King has come and reigns in our lives!  Jesus has power and preeminence!  If you are His child, you cannot just accept Him as Savior. You must also accept Him as Lord!   The key for all being added to your life that needs to be added is you giving our King and His Kingdom the highest priority.  Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Today decide to put first things first.  Do not try to live by the laws and systems of this world, but pursue living by the laws and systems of the Kingdom of God. Make God and His Kingdom your chief concern today, and for the rest of 2019!

Yesterday we focused on self-control.  One of the ways to live out this value is being self-aware.  Confession ushers us into greater self-awareness and thus, maximizes greater self-control because it fosters us naming what we are aware of.  It facilitates verbalizing where we are not exhibiting self-control.  It also opens the door for God’s forgiveness to be activated in our lives. I John 1:9 (KJV) says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Today confess what you are aware of about yourself that needs to be different. Name where you lack self-control that God may forgive you and help you!