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Did you know that you’re a minister of the Gospel? I bet you’re thinking, “I didn’t go to seminary, I’ve never even been discipled, I’m not a mature enough Christian, or God hasn’t called me to be a minister, so how can this be true?” These thoughts run rampant in many believers’ minds and feed one of the biggest misconceptions in the church—that the only minister is the pastor, but nothing could be further from the truth.
God has commanded every believer to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). Every Christ-follower is part of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5-9), meaning you are a priest. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelist, the shepherds…
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 ESV NASB)
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 NASB)
In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul urges believers to keep striving toward Christlikeness, pressing on toward the heavenly reward — eternal life with God. And yet, because of our imperfections and failures, we may easily become discouraged in our mission as disciples of Christ.
Because we belong to Christ, however, we can…
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…
…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…
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…
It’s great reading about the life of King David in the Bible. While he came from humble beginnings, and seems to have been the “runt of the litter” among his older brothers, God made him into one of the greatest warriors and kings of all time.
Why did God pick this unassuming shepherd boy to become king? The Bible says that God saw something within David’s heart––a desire to love God.
David learned to trust God even more than himself or worldly powers. He took the leap of faith required to have a meaningful relationship with God. It was the ideal Father/Son relationship.
After years of respect, love and obedience to his Father, David was finally established as King of Israel. He…