“See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).

Today’s verse of the day comes from God’s call to Jeremiah. There are three pairings in the call:

• uproot and tear down
• destroy and overthrow
• build and plant

It is always exciting to build and plant. But before God can build and plant, there are things that need to be uprooted and torn down, destroyed and overthrown.

A builder doesn’t just start building on whatever surface that is available. A farmer doesn’t just start planting seeds on whatever soil that is available. The builder and the farmer first uproots roots and rocks, tears down barriers. The builder prepares the foundation. The farmer prepares the soil.

The same is true for followers of Jesus Christ. When God calls us to mature and grow, before building and planting, there are things in the life of the Christian that must be uprooted and torn down, destroyed and overthrown.

Uprooted and torn down – these are habits and sins that need to be uprooted and torn down in order for us to grow. What are the habits and sins that need to be uprooted in your life in order for you to grow and mature in your faith?

Destroyed and overthrown – these refer to anything or anyone that competes for our allegiance to God. Is there something or someone you treasure more than your allegiance to God? If you are to grow and mature, your wavering over anything or anyone who competes for your allegiance with God needs to be destroyed and overthrown.

Build and plant – this refers to God-honoring routines – worship, reading and studying the Bible, praying, and serving. Just because you worship, read and study the Bible, pray, and serve doesn’t mean you are growing and maturing. However, if you do not worship, read and study the Bible, pray, and serve you cannot grow. Growing and maturing in the faith happens as one builds and plants these God-honoring routines to your life.

So, what do you need to uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow so God can build and plant?

“This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner – those who are not your offspring” (Genesis 17:10-12).

Circumcision is the most definitive proof for God.

Seriously.

I know. Just hear me out.

Look, no matter how many beers have been consumed around the fire pit, no dude ever says, “I have a great idea…you know, I was thinking…” and comes up with circumcision.

Ever! No way! Impossible!

Not just for himself, but his teenage son, and every single other dude in his camp? For generations to come?

Nope! No way! That doesn’t happen.

The only explanation that circumcision happened is God.

See…circumcision is the most definitive proof for God. ; )

Have a great weekend!

“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher” (Luke 6:40).

A disciple of Jesus Christ is:

• Faithful
• Available
• Teachable

The third characteristic is teachableness.

A disciple is one who follows, learns from, and grows. An unteachable disciple is an oxymoron. A disciple is a lifelong learner.

A teachable disciple is:

• one who knows they do not know
• one who is humble
• one who is willing to change and grow
• one who is malleable
• one who is growing more and more like his/her teacher

God loves F.A.T. Disciples. Disciples who are:

• Faithful
• Available
• Teachable

So, friends, are you F.A.T.?