Category: Discipleship

10 Simple Times to Pray Everyday

James 5:16 tells us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  While, Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians to Pray Continually.  With those two truths in mind I thought it would be good to help us think about times that we can add an intentional prayer to our daily lives.  There will surely be more times than just these but I hope that this sparks other ideas in your head as well.

  1. Before Breakfast – Think of it as the first and most important thing you do all day.
  2. As you leave the house – Not a bad idea to preemptively call out to God before the road-rage starts.
  3. When you arrive at work – Simply ask God for a good attitude and a productive day.
  4. When you begin a meeting – We always need His wisdom.
  5. When you conclude a meeting – We should give Him credit, for every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
  6. Before Lunch – Saying thank you to the provider is never a bad idea.
  7. As you leave work – For many of you this is the time for the Hallelujah Chorus to break out.
  8. When you arrive at home – Pray that you will respond to your family however is best!
  9. Before Dinner – Bring your family in on this prayer, especially if you haven’t prayed with them yet today.
  10. Before Bed – If you started out the day talking with God why not finish with Him too.
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11 simple ways to display Christ to guests

When was the last time you visited a church for the first time?  It can be intimidating for sure.  Especially, if you are visiting to see if you want to possibly join.  Here are some practical ways to display the love of Christ to guests each week.

  1. Hold open the door – A simple gesture that can go a long way.
  2. Say good morning – Silence is awkward.
  3. Ask if they need assistance – Help them know where things are (especially if they have kids).
  4. Tell them your name – Sometimes you get all into a conversation and you keep your name a secret.
  5. Ask their name – Its less intimidating because you have already told them your name.
  6. Offer for them to sit with you – They may not take you up on the offer but it makes them feel as though you actually don’t mind that they are there.
  7. Introduce them to another church member – This goes a long way during a return visit, that someone else might actually know them.
  8. Introduce them to a staff member – Specifically try to connect them with the staff member that might best meet their needs.
  9. Introduce them to the Pastor – This always means a lot, as they are getting the chance to talk with the guy that is going to be talking with them for at least 30 minutes!
  10. Invite them to your small group or Sunday School – Again, remember that going with someone, even if you just met, makes that entrance so much better.
  11. Invite them to lunch – This is the perfect way to get to know them in a more casual setting.

8 Scriptures for When you are Worried

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  Jeremiah 33:3

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.  Psalm 40:1-2

The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  Psalm 34:10

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.  Psalm 62:1-2

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…  Psalm 46:1-2

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

5 Reasons People Don’t Share the Gospel

When I use the word “Reasons,” I really mean, excuses.  People give excuses for not obeying God’s commands all the time.  Moses did it in Exodus 3 and 4 and that was while He was experiencing one of the most unique presentations of God in all of history – The Burning Bush.  These are the most common comments I hear from those not sharing the gospel.

Fear of Embarrassment – Don’t want people to make fun of them.

Fear of No Response – Don’t want to be rejected.

Fear of Intense Response – Don’t want to be persecuted.

Fear of Ignorance – Don’t know all the answers.

Fear of Shame – Have sin in own life.

 

None of these excuses are acceptable.  Remind yourself that these are merely excuses and that you must be faithful to the commission of Christ and Make Disciples of all nations.

5 Ways to Make Disciples

Several years ago when I was studying for my Master’s degree I was taught these simple truths.  The realities of Disciple Making came alive to me as though I had never been doing it quite right.  I realized then what I have been striving to put into practice ever since…Making Disciples is intended to be a part of everything you do as a believer.  Here are five areas of your walk with Christ that if you change just slightly you can be more effective in Making Disciples of all nations.

Pray

Yes, cast your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you (1 Peter).  Yes, present your requests to God.  Yes, ask, seek, and knock and He will answer!  But have you ever thought that an essential truth to all of that is that we are to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers to the field (Luke 10).  We are to pray that God would save people.  We are to pray that God will bring clarity, and open up the mystery of the gospel to the lost (Colossians 4).  We don’t need to simply pray, we need to pray intentionally for God to Make Disciples through us.

Study

Some of us enjoy studying.  Some of us don’t.  The reality is that many of only study when we have to.  Right, we study when it is our turn to teach the Sunday School lesson.  Or, we study when we realize that our kids know more about the Bible stories than we do.  But it is best for us to study as though we are always going to be teaching.  We should always be ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3).  We should be preparing our minds for action (1 Peter 1).  We should be renewing our minds (Romans 12).  We read the Bible each day, not just so we can check a box off our to-do list.  We study the nuances of Scripture, not just so we stay one step ahead of our 1st grader.  We seek to know God’s Word so that we can be ready, prepared, and renewed to be Disciple Makers.

Give

I’m sure you aren’t shocked by this one.  Right, a preacher telling you that you have to give money in order to be a Disciple Maker-Big Shock.  Well, here is the truth.  Scripture has over 2600 references to money, giving, and spending.  Therefore, it is clearly a significant discussion point throughout all of it.  The reason it seems so significant is because it can be so effective.  Do you realize how your money is effectively used to help get the gospel around the World?  For instance, at our church, 10% of every non-designated dollar given to the church goes to disciple making in other contexts.  We give money to the local Baptist Association, the State Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention (who allocates monies to support missionaries around the United States (NAMB) and the globe (IMB).  Not to mention the thousands of dollars allocated within our budget that are designated for mission partnerships, evangelistic training, spiritual development, and biblical equipping.  Give your money to these causes because these causes help unify the church in her effort to Make Disciples.

Go

You may have thought that this would have been the first on the list.  However, the reality is that going is often times the first thing people want to do without doing any of the other.  But if you haven’t prayed, studied, or given anything-I might simply prefer that you stay home.  Yet, if you have prayed, studied, and are actively giving, then what is stopping you from taking this all important step of taking the truth of the Gospel to the lost.

Mobilize

Finally, one of my favorite words to think about in regards to Making Disciples.  When we most effectively Make Disciples we are training and equipping Disciples who will go on to Make more Disciples and so on and so forth.  The goal is not simply to make converts but to intentionally send others out that they too may train others for this very same work (2 Timothy 2:2).

5 Ways to Know more of God

Are you interested in knowing more about God but not sure how?

Here are 5 ways to know more of God

  1. Read Scripture – This might sound like an obvious answer to some of you.  But to tell the truth, it is often not one that we complete each day.  Remember, Scripture was written with this very idea in mind – that we might know more of God.
  2. Study Scripture – Yes, start with reading the Bible.  However, make sure that you spend time studying the in’s and out’s.  See the connections.  See the bigger picture.
  3. Meditate on Scripture – If you want to really get an idea of who God is and how He interacts with His people you must do more than just read and study it.  You really must be one to meditate on it day and night.  This means think about it even when you are not reading it.
  4. Memorize Scripture – Most of you would try to tell me that you can’t memorize things anymore.  It’s just not in you.  But I would venture to guess that if I offered you $100 for every verse that you could quote to me by Sunday you might just get to memorizing.  Cherish God’s Word more than silver and gold.
  5. Teach Scripture – The best way to learn anything is to have to explain it to someone else.  Take time to share what you are learning with a friend, a family member, a neighbor, co-worker, or random person at the store!