Posts in 31 Days of Prayer
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We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (1 John 3:14 NIV84)
The Bible is abundantly clear that when a person follows Jesus Christ there will be defining elements that emerge in their lives. True transformation leads to a change — life that is reflective of the One who wrought the change — Jesus. Understanding the key qualities in the life of Jesus, therefore, and assessing whether those same qualities are found in increasing measure in our own lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is very important. John tells us that loving others around us is a critical marker in the life of…
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NASB)
When we read the Bible we are reading a love story — God’s love story — His creation of all life; His relationship with man; His forgiveness of…
…shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness. (1 Peter 5:2 NASB)
We know God looks after us as our Shepherd, but what does it look like for us to be a spiritual shepherd to others? Even growing up in a small town in Georgia, I didn’t observe many actual shepherds. The job of a shepherd is still a bit foreign to me, yet we are commanded to spiritually emulate this role as disciples.
When thinking on this, I am often challenged by the example of missionary Amy Carmichael. Her understanding of shepherding-to spiritually care for, guide, and raise up those…
“‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'” (Matthew 15:8-9 NASB)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB)
In Matthew 15 we see Jesus rebuking the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. We may be quick to criticize them as well, until we hold the mirror up to our own hearts. It is so easy to fall into the…
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 NASB)
Before the season starts, all football players are involved in a strength and conditioning program. Playing football well requires strength and endurance. So does disciple-making. If you are planning to find a person to invest in for Christ, you better make sure you are ready-meaning strong in grace and prepared for hardship. Don’t chicken out, just get with the program!
Pray today…
As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting…
“…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NASB)
These are the final words of the Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. He provided clear direction for all of us as believers. First, we must know Jesus’ commands. Second, we must teach Jesus’ commands. Third, we will have the presence of Jesus with us whenever we obey this.
We must all teach others the things we know about Jesus’ commands. We naturally have no confidence in our ability to teach anyone about Jesus. We know ourselves and are sure that we aren’t capable. But, Jesus never gave a command that He…