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What Do You Do With This?

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I have been reading, studying and thinking a great deal about DISCIPLESHIP!  We know the word well and we like to think that we are making a really good effort of accomplishing discipleship – that is being and making disciples, but the truth is, while we have some really good programs that we call discipleship, much of what we do is programming and it may or may not accomplishing the making of disciples.  

A disciple is a person who has a relationship with God through Jesus and because of that relationship chooses to follow Jesus and live as He lived!  As we live the way that Jesus lived, we will affect others in the same positive ways that He did.  Our faith in Jesus has to go deeper than our simply believing that Jesus is our Savior; the evidence of our faith is our following Him.  And following Jesus is not automatic; we must make a choice!

In Luke 9:23 Jesus says:  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  What do we do with this verse?  If we read it and take the time to think about it, then it has very serious ramifications, that is, it changes our life and the way that it is lived.  

When we deny ourselves – we say no to self, so that we might say yes to God.  What gets in the way of your saying yes to God?  When my will is in conflict with His will, it is through my denial of self that makes His will become possible and victory a reality.

When I read and think about this verse, I can’t help but to think about the sacrifices that I need to make, so that I can truly follow Him.  I will tell you right now, that taking the time to think through this verse has helped me to realize that there is much that I need to let go of and there is much that I need to grab hold of.  My problem is this:  I am often tempted to grab hold of the wrong things and to let go of the right things!

This is my prayer!  Lord, I want to come after you!  Help me to deny myself, so that I choose your will over my will at every opportunity.  Help me to take up my cross and make whatever sacrifice is necessary to live in your perfect plan.  Help me to follow you step by step every moment of every day! 

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Thank You God For My Staff!

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I have a lot of people that are very kind to me!  They encourage me with notes, emails and comments about how my ministry is making a difference in their lives.  I very much appreciate these kind and generous individuals who do more to bless me than they probably realize.  God has been very good to me and blessed me way beyond anything that I could dream that I deserve.  Anything good that comes out of my life is not because of me, but because of my God and His gifts, blessings and willingness to use the willing!

Another reason that I am able to do some of the things that have an impact and make a difference in people’s lives is because God has placed a group of men, women, boys and girls around me, who help, encourage and motivate me to be and give my very best.  God works in and through their lives and ministry to allow my gifts and ministry to have a greater appeal and impact!  I am nothing without God, and the ministry that He has called me to would be much less than it is, without the help of all of those paid and volunteer that come around me to help me do this amazing thing called ministry!

I just wanted to take time today to say:  “THANK YOU!” to each one of you that take and make time to help and assist me in being a disciple and in making disciples!  I love you so very much and I am so glad that we get to do this journey called life together.  I am so excited about what God is doing and I can’t wait to see what He is going to do next!

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Shine Bright!

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There is a lot of talk about churches becoming relevant to our culture!  I am all for our doing whatever it takes to reach people for Jesus, but we need to make sure that we are reaching people for Jesus and not just attracting a crowd.  Jesus said in John 8:12  “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Light is not a tool that we earn, it is a gift that we posses!  Jesus is the light and when we accept Him, we become the light.

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus put it this way:  “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”  As we share Jesus by shining our light in the midst of the darkness, people will be attracted to God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness!

We do not have to dumb down holiness to make it attractive to a lost and dying world.  In fact, when we dumb it down, it ceases to be real holiness.  We need to raise up the bar of discipleship and let the world know that if you are going to be a Christian, it means more than attending church and going through the motions.  To be a Christian means denying self, taking up our cross and following Him.  And this is the best and brightest way to shine our lights into this dark world – by denying self, taking up our cross and following Him!  (Matthew 16:24)  I’ve got some work to do!  SHINE BRIGHT!