Many people seem to freeze at the notion of serving in ministry because there is no sense the Lord is calling them—because doors do not seem open.
Likewise, God is waiting for us to respond, not with grumbling, but by faith, believing that He can make the most of our lives for His name’s sake.
The hints for effective living are already within us. God’s will for us, his direction for us, generally has more to do with what gives us new life in Him, what energizes us and what gives us delight. It pays to pay attention!
Give the sacrifice of time to be in the Word and, by faith, see where the wind of the Spirit will blow.
The rich young leader was challenged to abandon that which was dear—his control, his riches. Jesus judged his status as incomplete …
God doesn’t need our help. He can do anything. But since He created us and planned for us to serve, let’s serve Him generously with all our being
When you find yourself doubting that you can impact eternity remind yourself that God is competent to fulfill the dream he has planted in you.
The account of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Why is it so important that this single solitary healing early in His ministry receive so much press?
We hang on to our career because we cannot imagine the Lord directing our paths to move into full-time service for Him. But even Jesus did not organize the unfolding of some very key events.
“Treasure these words of mine in your heart and in your soul.” (Duet 11:18) What are these words the Lord wants you to treasure in your innermost being?
The question for the new year is not, “Where am I in life?” but “Where am I in Christ?”
PSA normally stands for Public Service Announcement.
It is an acronym to remember as we walk the earth each day: Pray, Scan, Ask.
We have been forgiven much. The expectation of the Lord is for us to be overflowing with a grateful spirit. We are bought with a price. Therefore, our time and our skills are His, but He wants us to serve willingly.
It is recorded in all four gospels that Simon, healed by Jesus of leprosy, hosted a dinner in Jesus’ honor – a one-time act of service. But it is the thankful woman that invests the best she has to offer—she anoints the head and feet of Jesus.
We have a direct assignment from the Lord to disciple the nations.
We know in business and in other areas of life, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. It is a big risk to avoid risk. We are to lay up our time, talent and treasure for our eternity with Him.
The consequences of choice have already been determined by the sovereign God, and from this there is no appeal.
We honor God by having the courage to come boldly to the throne of grace.
Faith matures when we are walking and working with the Lord.
The vineyard parable dispels the idea of works-based salvation. Yet our reward is Him.
We must pay attention to what we have heard, or else we may drift.
We hang on to our career because we cannot imagine the Lord directing our paths to move into full-time service for Him. But even Jesus did not organize the unfolding of some very key events.
Effectiveness in ministry or marketplace is related to connectedness to the Lord and 1) Bible, 2) Bible, and 3) Bible.
The suggestion is to leave whatever we are doing and come. (Psalm 95:1)
Jesus gave an assignment to the His disciples, to the audience, and to us “look around you …”
Skillful living: Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
But could it be that Mark ended his book without a finish because he wanted your story to complete the gospel?
Will you be a part of the growth of the kingdom by serving His global cause? Explore your options!
Philip was a leader among leaders having had an accomplished career when his assignment was interrupted.
A small beginning can have a monumental impact.
Today, our lives are a response to Pharaoh’s timeless question, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey Him?”
Adopting the Lord’s agenda for our live is not easy nor is it intuitive, but it is thrilling.
Press toward a God-sized goal for your life by rejoicing in the Lord. It is a safeguard for you.
It is not “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” It is “God has a wonderful plan,” and you are part of it. God can use you when you allow Him to step into your shoes.
The challenge is to take the whole counsel of God and fit it together as a giant puzzle.
We can use our lives to push the boundaries of the kingdom with quick or focused prayers to make a difference in the corridors of eternity.
Moses objected when challenged by God, “Who am I that I should go …” The Lord’s response? “Certainly I will be with you.” That was to be enough for Moses, and intended to be enough for you and me.
Moses: Here I am.
Joshua: What do you have for me?
Mary: I’m your servant.
We celebrate that Jesus knew what His assignment was and carried it out.
What are mission organizations doing about recruiting at this time?
To disciple a nation, it may require a flight to another nation and much prayer.
Let us be proactive in spreading the word as His witnesses to share His magnificence.
It is often the few and the bold entrepreneurs in ministry that make a difference among the nations
Prayerfully engage with God to do something big. See if He is good for His promise to multiply your efforts 30, 60, 100X, or even 5000.
The more we long for Jesus — to know him intimately and love him fully—the more we are deeply satisfied. And the more we want others to find that same joy.
After the darkness, despair is turned to delight after we turn the page to the resurrection of Matthew 28. There is a dazzling display of power ending never.
How can we have the mind of Christ in these turbulent times?
Seeking the Lord in great earnest is the best way to get a clear assignment from Him and see Him work in us and through us.
If your situation is like many of ours, your routine has been interrupted. Your busy schedule has been cleared. Now what?
See what it is like to work with righteous, godly people in the world of missions.
Calling all people to repent and realign their lives with the infinite worth of the glory of God.
Jesus identifies the neighbor we are to love as ourselves as someone who is the most ethnically, culturally, linguistically distant from us.
Still today Jesus urges us to go. His instructions: Go. Be interrupted. Make disciples of the nations.
Just as there are a million types of fruit, there are a million and more ways to be fruitful. See how many ways are compelling you!
Missions is not about “What can I spare?” The question must be “What is it going to take?”
The decision to accept an assignment to disciple the nations is a transaction between you as a Christ-follower and the Holy Spirit.
Those “gates of hell” that once confined Peter did not prevail against the mission for which Peter was called.
There will be great joy at the end of your days, when you see what treasures you have laid up in Heaven. May your joy be like the people under Nehemiah.
Only when we are prepared to die, are we really prepared to live.
When the Lord calls us to serve in His global enterprise, are we willing to say as Mary did, “Let it be to me according to your word?”
For Esau it was the lure of short-term gain of the flesh, the here-and-now, and immediate comfort over the long-term joy God has promised as was the perspective of Jacob.
It is no coincidence that Jesus calls us to an attitude of humility. Jesus is our Example in Chief. He told us to give of our resources and ourselves cheerfully and generously.
Like most of scripture, the David and Goliath story is about God; it’s about His name, His glory, His honor, His power.
The first three verses of Leviticus are worthy of our riveting attention; they give insight as to how relationship with the Lord works.
Those that go to battle and those that serve behind the front lines share in the same reward.
Many have pursued their mission and vision and have seen the Lord multiply their efforts 30, 60 and 100-fold. It leads to great joy!
The more God responds to our requests to be used by Him, the more likely it is that our faith will be increased so our next request will be even bigger.
We have been created for a global purpose—called to participate on the front lines of this mission.
We grow the most when we say “Yes” to the Lord for an assignment that stretches us.
The final scene in Philippians is like the end of a movie. At the end of chapter 4 the screen goes dark and names roll up. Normally it is time to tune out. But wait! This is important!
What does the future hold? “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Hab 2:14
As Pharaoh experienced more with the Lord, more was required of him. Today, our lives are a response to Pharaoh’s question, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey Him?”
For a camel to go through a small opening in the Jerusalem wall – the eye of the needle, the camel has to be stripped of anything weighing him down and get on his knees. This is a great picture of what we must do…
It does not matter what the circumstances are, we must be satisfied with Jesus. Allow your cup to run over.
We now have the means to reach people we have never been able to reach previously. Now is the time to be intentional about offering your time, talent and treasure to Him.
Following the Lord’s leadership is not a little better – it is much better! Following our own direction can have dire consequences.
Experience the thrill of realizing that it is possible to make a significant impact for God, regardless of your past.
According to James, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. He prayed earnestly and God responded.
When difficult things come into our lives, it is not because they have snuck by God. He was not distracted or sleeping and thus, missed something.
Is it possible that the Lord provides a second chance after death to gain Heaven? Not so. It is our assignment from on high to be engaged in making disciples of the nations. We must each consider what our grade will be for that assignment.
Will God be sufficiently pleased with religious activity, such as going to church, serving others when it is convenient, or giving now and again, or even tithing?
It is not “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” It is “God has a wonderful plan,” and you are part of it. God can use you when you allow Him to step into your shoes.
Each of us is unique as each leaf on a tree is unique. You are made special for this time and this place. The Lord trusted you enough to put you on the earth at this time.
“But,” you may say, “the problems of the world, at home and abroad, are too great. What can one person do?” Every effective Bible character started with small steps. Start small but think big.
If we humble ourselves and give ourselves over to the Lord to do whatever He asks, the Lord can do amazing things. We have a big God.
Spiritual life is a miracle of God as He births new life into those that receive Him. It is not too much of a stretch for us to see the miracle of our awareness that we are not our own, but the Lord’s.
The Lord’s highest value for us is righteousness and fruitfulness. We have to ask ourselves where we are on the spectrum of Kingdom fruitfulness. What are others saying about you? More importantly, what will Jesus say about you?
Moses was challenged by God to take on a new assignment by a big God. Moses objected, “Who am I that I should go …” The Lord’s response was simple, “Certainly I will be with you.” That was supposed to be enough for Moses, and it is intended to be enough for you and me.
However, the paradox is that you and I do not work for God to be accepted by Him. That is religion. Rather, we are accepted by God, therefore …
Jeremiah 47:10 has never made it into a memory verse packet. It reads, “Accursed is the man that is slack in doing the Lord’s work.” Another translation is “Cursed is the man that is lax in doing the Lord’s work.” We don’t want to be there …
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