First Steps 05/10

 Whom has God placed in our lives right now that we can begin making into a disciple in Jesus Christ? Whom has God placed in our lives for us to partner with in making disciples?

As I’ve struggles with becoming a better disciple and disciple maker, I’ve been impacted with how my family members Continue to be my responsibility to disciple. What good is it if I miss opportunities to influence them toward a closer walk with Christ? There are no guarantees, but I’m certainly accountable to the ones God has put into my life. But I do not want to.be short sighted to think they are the only ones. Being intentional and on purpose with a few can have a profound impact for God’s kingdoms. I do. It want to be asleep and miss opportunities to connect with those right in front of me.

Equipped? 5/09

 How can you and I actually do what Jesus commissioned us to do? How are you and I experiencing the Great Commission?

These questions have bothered me for a long time as I’ve wondered how effective my witness really is. Am I doing and being the person God wants? Will anyone reach Heaven because of my willingness to be the person God wants me to be? I know that God is in pursuit of men, women, and the next generation far more than I could ever be, but if I really love Jesus, shouldn't I be better at this than I am? Francis Chan hammers away that the great commission is not the great suggestion.

Making Disciples or Not 05/08

 “Why is it that we see so little disciple making taking place in the church today? Do we really believe that Jesus told His early followers to make disciples but wants the twenty-first-century church to do something different?” - Francis Chan. 

What is your response to these questions?  Has the 21st century church drifted away from the Great Commission? I wonder if most church attendees know the Great Commission. I’ve not received much training to be a disciple maker over the years, other than from para church organizations. I think most fear what others think or fear that they do not have the right answers. 

Making disciples is all about seeing people transformed by the power of God’s Word. If you want to see that happen in others, you need to be experiencing such transformation yourself.

Francis Chan, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples

Disciple or not? 05/07

 “It appears that we’ve lost sight of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The concept of being a disciple isn’t difficult to understand, but it affects everything.” - Francis Chan 

I wonder what Jesus would say if He viewed the way I live. Would He say that I’m really a disciple, or just pretending?  Am I actually following His commands, or do I view His instructions as suggestions? Am I surrendering my whole self to Him, waiting for Him to direct me, or going my own way, giving lip service to Him?  

we reduce discipleship to a canned program, and so many in the church end up sidelined in a spectator mentality that delegates disciple making to pastors and professionals, ministers and missionaries. But this is not the way it’s supposed to be.

Francis Chan, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples

Coping With Evil

 I want to understand our world and not be clueless in a discussion.  I do not want to be gullible, drifting with every wind of opinion.  I do not want to be constantly looking for information just to confirm my I’ll informed opinions.  With anger, division, injustice, and evil present, and with the twisting of truth to justify an opinion, I want to constantly search for wisdom.

A Prayer For Today:  Thank you, Lord, that you see every detail of our lives. You know full well how evil and injustice run rampant among the rulers of this world. You know how gullible we can be when truth is distorted and misinformation is spread. Empower us to not worry, but trust in You. Help us to trust only in You, that You will make things right, bringing justice to the evil and wrong doing around us. (Psalm 37:1-7)

Simple But Not Easy (Bob Goff)

 “Faith is simple, but it’s not easy. The Bible describes faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”3 I like that description. We need to do more than just decide who our faith is in. We need to decide what our faith is actually about.” Excerpt, Undistracted by Bob Goff

I have what I think I know and believe stores in my head, but it’s not so easy to practice when I’m full of fear, feeling like a victim, or see others hurting greatly. When we don’t see God explaining everything g to us, I can get confused. I know enough to not be disillusioned but discouragement can set in.

Temptation 13

 

I often wonder if the temptations I encounter are of my own making or are they directly from Satan. But does it make much difference? I’ve had experiences when trials and temptations seemed oppressive, as if there was a cloud hanging low with doom and gloom warnings of tests to see if I would be faithful and obedient. As Dr. Sproul says, “Jesus was tempted to disbelieve God’s Word, to pit one part of it against another and to think that the Father was not telling Him the whole story.” I’m so thankful that His grace has been provided to hang in there with God’s Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit, despite the dark feelings and questions.

“The closer we are to God, the more the slightest sin will cause us deep sorrow.” - R.C. Sproul