BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #74

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, by William H. Hicks, copyright March, 2005:

“”Our great task will be to demonstrate our faith, to “act out of trust in God”, even in the face of persecution by terrorism, murder, deprivation, castigation, character assassination, temptation and torture. Will we respond to the challenge to be faithful when our very lives are at stake? We have the power to be faithful; the question for each of us individually is, do we have the will to go through to see what the end will be, to “stand on the promises of God”? ”Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t be afraid and don’t worry. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!””

“A desire to serve God is a prerequisite to discipleship. But our hearts must be made of special material, made by special expertise. You can only get such a heart from God. Deuteronomy 30:6 (NASB): “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” Jeremiah 24: 7 (God’s Word translation): “I will give them hearts that will recognize me as the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” Jeremiah 31: 33b: “I will put My laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.” God’s Law written in our minds (knowledge) and on our hearts (desire) equals power for application in our lives (wisdom).””

“

About THE DISCIPLE

William H. “Bill” Hicks is a graduate of Wesleyan University, BA, Religion, 1971 who also holds a Masters in Public Health Degree (MPH) from the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health (1973). Bill also has studied at the Dallas Theological Seminary. He grew up in Harlem, New York City, USA during the 1950s and 1960s, graduating from high school before attending Mount Hermon Preparatory School and undergraduate school in Connecticut. He has spent most of his professional life in the public health arena, while being constantly in ministry. He received his license to preach the Gospel at Oklahoma City, OK in 1971. He has written extensively on Christian topics. He enjoys life in Chattanooga, TN with former District Public Defender Ardena Garth Hicks, his wife of 30 years. They have two daughters, Rachel (BA, University of Memphis magna cum laude, 2014) and Sarah (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, Global Scholar, University of Tulsa, 2017).

View all posts by THE DISCIPLE →