{"id":728,"date":"2023-02-19T16:39:23","date_gmt":"2023-02-19T21:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/2023\/02\/19\/following-jesus\/"},"modified":"2025-02-14T10:18:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T15:18:24","slug":"following-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/en\/2023\/02\/19\/following-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Following Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\r\n<div pagelayer-id=\"6rv8131\" class=\"p-6rv8131 pagelayer-post_props pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_post_props\">\r\n<\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"dzf2092\" class=\"p-dzf2092 pagelayer-row pagelayer-row-stretch-auto pagelayer-height-default pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_row\">\r\n<style pagelayer-style-id=\"dzf2092\">.p-dzf2092 .pagelayer-col-holder{padding: 10px}\r\n.p-dzf2092 > .pagelayer-background-overlay{-webkit-transition: all 400ms !important; transition: all 400ms !important}\r\n.p-dzf2092 .pagelayer-svg-top .pagelayer-shape-fill{fill:#227bc3}\r\n.p-dzf2092 .pagelayer-row-svg .pagelayer-svg-top{width:100%;height:100px}\r\n.p-dzf2092 .pagelayer-svg-bottom .pagelayer-shape-fill{fill:#e44993}\r\n.p-dzf2092 .pagelayer-row-svg .pagelayer-svg-bottom{width:100%;height:100px}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pagelayer-row-holder pagelayer-row pagelayer-auto pagelayer-width-auto\"><div pagelayer-id=\"wst3556\" class=\"p-wst3556 pagelayer-col pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_col\">\r\n<style pagelayer-style-id=\"wst3556\">.p-wst3556 > .pagelayer-background-overlay{-webkit-transition: all 400ms !important; transition: all 400ms !important}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pagelayer-col-holder\"><div pagelayer-id=\"wov9080\" class=\"p-wov9080 pagelayer-heading pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_heading\">\r\n<div class=\"pagelayer-heading-holder\" pagelayer-editable=\"text\"><h3>Following Jesus<\/h3><\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"bch4108\" class=\"p-bch4108 pagelayer-text pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_text\">\r\n<div class=\"pagelayer-text-holder\" pagelayer-editable=\"text\"><p><br \/>We will keep on learning about the right foundations on which we should build our spiritual life. This Sunday&#8217;s theme is &#8220;Following Jesus&#8221;.\r\nJesus himself declares: &#8220;If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me&#8221; (Matthew 16:24).\r\n <\/p><\/div><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"74z3469\" class=\"p-74z3469 pagelayer-text pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_text\">\r\n<div class=\"pagelayer-text-holder\" pagelayer-editable=\"text\"><p><br \/>The series of the month of February entitled &#8220;Return to the fundamentals of spiritual life&#8221; continues with the servant of God, Merveille YOKA, the spiritual daughter and fruit of the consecration of the prophet Cyrille BANKOLE.\r\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"ath6423\" class=\"p-ath6423 pagelayer-text pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_text\">\r\n<div class=\"pagelayer-text-holder\" pagelayer-editable=\"text\"><p><br \/>Today&#8217;s theme on DISCIPLESHIP reminds us that following Jesus begins with the LOVE FOR THE TRUTH (Psalm 119).<\/p><\/div><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"kpi5576\" class=\"p-kpi5576 pagelayer-text pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_text\">\r\n<div class=\"pagelayer-text-holder\" pagelayer-editable=\"text\"><p><br \/>No one can follow Jesus without loving him, he who is the way, the truth and the life. During his ministry, Christ preached this central message: &#8220;REPENT, FOLLOW ME and I WILL MAKE YOU a fisherman of men&#8221; (Mark 1:15, 17).\r\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"gu7167\" class=\"p-gu7167 pagelayer-text pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_text\">\r\n<div class=\"pagelayer-text-holder\" pagelayer-editable=\"text\"><p><br \/>The purpose of our life as Christians is to be Jesus on earth. You must FOLLOW to TO BECOME \/ TO BE MADE.\r\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"fti5875\" class=\"p-fti5875 pagelayer-list pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list\">\r\n<style pagelayer-style-id=\"fti5875\">.p-fti5875 li{list-style-type: none}\r\n.p-fti5875 .pagelayer-list-icon-holder{padding-bottom: calc(10px\/2); padding-top: calc(10px\/2)}\r\n.p-fti5875 .pagelayer-list-item{margin-left: 10px}\r\n.p-fti5875 .pagelayer-list-icon{color:#c42135}\r\n<\/style><ul class=\"pagelayer-list-ul pagelayer-list-type-none\"><div pagelayer-id=\"m2x9087\" class=\"p-m2x9087 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-question\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\"><p>How to follow Jesus? <\/p><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><\/ul><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"ar05757\" class=\"p-ar05757 pagelayer-list pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list\">\r\n<style pagelayer-style-id=\"ar05757\">.p-ar05757 li{list-style-type: none}\r\n.p-ar05757 .pagelayer-list-icon-holder{padding-bottom: calc(10px\/2); padding-top: calc(10px\/2)}\r\n.p-ar05757 .pagelayer-list-item{margin-left: 10px}\r\n.p-ar05757 .pagelayer-list-icon{color:#c42135}\r\n<\/style><ul class=\"pagelayer-list-ul pagelayer-list-type-none\"><div pagelayer-id=\"iqu6598\" class=\"p-iqu6598 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-arrow-alt-circle-right\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\"><p>First, there is a MASTER who leads by example. God has chosen representatives on earth (1 Cor 3:6). They can be identified by the fruit they bear. <\/p><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"d181817\" class=\"p-d181817 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-arrow-alt-circle-right\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\"><p>Then, there is a DISCIPLE who agrees with the master (Amos 3: 3): He sits, listens, imitates the actions and the truth of the master. He chooses to follow his instructions consistently.<\/p><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"ezl6528\" class=\"p-ezl6528 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-arrow-alt-circle-right\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\">The COMMON GOAL is that the disciple becomes himself a fisher of men, bearing the fruit of saved souls.<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><\/ul><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"juo186\" class=\"p-juo186 pagelayer-text pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_text\">\r\n<div class=\"pagelayer-text-holder\" pagelayer-editable=\"text\"><p><br \/>PRAYERS:<\/p><\/div><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"c1h2557\" class=\"p-c1h2557 pagelayer-list pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list\">\r\n<style pagelayer-style-id=\"c1h2557\">.p-c1h2557 li{list-style-type: none}\r\n.p-c1h2557 .pagelayer-list-icon-holder{padding-bottom: calc(10px\/2); padding-top: calc(10px\/2)}\r\n.p-c1h2557 .pagelayer-list-item{margin-left: 10px}\r\n.p-c1h2557 .pagelayer-list-icon{color:#e08027}\r\n<\/style><ul class=\"pagelayer-list-ul pagelayer-list-type-none\"><div pagelayer-id=\"nft4730\" class=\"p-nft4730 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-star\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\">Lord, show me where to sit and who can train me in the truth.<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"g5v7825\" class=\"p-g5v7825 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-star\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\">Grant me a heart attached to this house and help me to be humble to learn.<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"cie7837\" class=\"p-cie7837 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-star\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\">I align my thoughts and my emotions to follow the truth and the instructions of the house.<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"rey387\" class=\"p-rey387 pagelayer-list_item pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_list_item\">\r\n<li class=\"pagelayer-list-li\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-icon-holder\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"pagelayer-list-icon fas fa-star\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pagelayer-list-item\" pagelayer-editable=\"item\">I command every mixed thought to withdraw from me in the name of Jesus. I am in the right place to grow.<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/div><\/ul><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"jiz348\" class=\"p-jiz348 pagelayer-image_slider pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_image_slider\">\r\n<style pagelayer-style-id=\"jiz348\">.p-jiz348 .pagelayer-owl-prev{background-color: #6a6969 !important;color: #ffffff !important;width: 20px; height: 20px;border-radius: 20% !important}\r\n.p-jiz348 .pagelayer-owl-next{background-color: #6a6969 !important;color: #ffffff !important;width: 20px; height: 20px;border-radius: 20% !important}\r\n<\/style><div class=\"pagelayer-image-slider-div\">\r\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"pagelayer-image-slider-ul pagelayer-owl-holder pagelayer-owl-carousel pagelayer-owl-theme\" data-slides-items=\"3\" data-slides-autoplay-timeout=\"5000\" data-slides-smart-speed=\"800\" data-slides-loop=\"true\" data-slides-autoplay=\"true\" data-slides-autoplay-hover-pause=\"true\"><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332339950_919542186056490_7050711956923153978_n.jpg\" title=\"332339950_919542186056490_7050711956923153978_n\" alt=\"332339950_919542186056490_7050711956923153978_n\" \/><\/li><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332578398_964666194916942_201295260509396370_n.jpg\" title=\"332578398_964666194916942_201295260509396370_n\" alt=\"332578398_964666194916942_201295260509396370_n\" \/><\/li><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332500763_869207831049794_6580976132465452807_n.jpg\" title=\"332500763_869207831049794_6580976132465452807_n\" alt=\"332500763_869207831049794_6580976132465452807_n\" \/><\/li><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332562497_856113425453523_45132024652138287_n.jpg\" title=\"332562497_856113425453523_45132024652138287_n\" alt=\"332562497_856113425453523_45132024652138287_n\" \/><\/li><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332483316_1332735600856177_1154074902178109107_n.jpg\" title=\"332483316_1332735600856177_1154074902178109107_n\" alt=\"332483316_1332735600856177_1154074902178109107_n\" \/><\/li><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332587292_2342878329208052_3163727925159555768_n.jpg\" title=\"332587292_2342878329208052_3163727925159555768_n\" alt=\"332587292_2342878329208052_3163727925159555768_n\" \/><\/li><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332221868_1207252086563322_2267640908692713533_n.jpg\" title=\"332221868_1207252086563322_2267640908692713533_n\" alt=\"332221868_1207252086563322_2267640908692713533_n\" \/><\/li><li class=\"pagelayer-slider-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pagelayer-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swanministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/332662786_919768025727157_820092435028227608_n.jpg\" title=\"332662786_919768025727157_820092435028227608_n\" alt=\"332662786_919768025727157_820092435028227608_n\" \/><\/li><\/ul>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div pagelayer-id=\"z9o5294\" class=\"p-z9o5294 pagelayer-image_slider pagelayer-ele\" pagelayer-tag=\"pl_image_slider\">\r\n<style pagelayer-style-id=\"z9o5294\">.p-z9o5294 .pagelayer-owl-prev{background-color: #6a6969 !important;color: #ffffff !important;width: 20px; 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