You're it!

Mark 1:17-18. “…Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”

The disciples were immediately responsive to the call Jesus issued them. Jesus intended to train them to lead others as He led them. He was clear about that from the beginning – I will make you fishers of men.

As a part of their training Jesus sent them out to communicate the good news to others with the expectation of bringing others to faith in Christ. He was just as clear on how to present this gospel. In Luke 10, Jesus told them to pray blessing first, then build a relationship perhaps over a meal, then meet any “felt” needs (like praying for healing), and then proclaim the Kingdom.

If the way is paved with prayer, friendship and service, most anyone would be ready to hear about the hope we have in Him. It would create an openness to receive what we have to say and a desire to have the same.

Jesus is intentional in all He does. We should be the same: Praying, building relationships and meeting needs with the intent of leading someone to faith in Christ. Who are you praying for? What pre-Christian are you building relationship with and meeting needs for? It’s our turn!

The Billboard

John 21:19. “…Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’”

After spending over three years with Peter, Jesus tells him the same thing He told him when they first started their journey together. Peter had learned a lot during the three years, but during the time Jesus may have needed him the most, he ran another direction. So Jesus restores him to fellowship after the resurrection and reminds him of the simple call He gave him at first – follow me!

Jesus had a plan for Peter to represent Him in word and action. Jesus believed in Peter as he believes in us today. He wants us to live His story in word and action. Peter got it. This is confirmed when he wrote in his letter, “Live such good lives among your neighbors that…they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12. And then he wrote, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15.

Have we got it? Do our actions speak as loud as or louder than our words? Are we living with such good deeds and hope that others ask about us?  We can honor Him and attract others with what we say and do! We can do this if our actions and words - Follow Him!

the story God is writing

Luke 19:5-6, “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”

Zac was just trying to watch the parade. Because of his physical size, he could not see over the crowd. He climbed a tree for a better view. Little did he know he would get a personal moment with the Son of God.

We all seem to stumble onto moments with God that forever change our lives. We just need help, maybe even enough to cry out for it. He hears and here comes the parade. We really had no idea of what it would mean to encounter the King. He certainly is like no other king we have ever heard about. This King, born in a stable, will stay at our house.

We are a story that God is writing. When we recognize another moment of our life is a God story, we should write it down and share it with someone. These stories have incredible impact in the lives of others. As they hear them, faith is awakened and they begin to ask Him to help them too. These God stories will give others encouragement and empowerment. What is God writing about you?

Getting to it...

Luke 19:17, “’Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you…’”

In the scope of history, we can seem like a spec in the universe. Why would God be so concerned with me and whether I use what He has given me? Because just as He pursued you (the spec) He is pursuing every human spec ever created. He wants to use you, the redeemed spec, to redeem another spec.

So God expects us to be about His business with the tools (gifts) He has given us. A “good servant” is a faithful servant who is employing the gifts given to honor the gift giver. A “good servant” is an active servant. A “good servant” is a trustworthy servant.

A “good servant” takes the initiative to increase the family business. A “good servant” operates in good faith. A “good servant” is ready to release the gains to his Master.

We must not overlook the fact the Master rewards all “good servants” for their service. Their reward is to serve even more. If God values serving so much that He makes the opportunity to serve the reward, then we should be getting to it…serving with the gifts He’s given us.

There is more...

Luke 18: 22, “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing…’”

Jesus was always helping those who would follow Him to understand who He is, who they are and who they need to be. It is so easy to be thankful and comfortable with who we are. This is especially true when we have achieved another level of growth or accomplishment.

Jesus challenged this young man who said he had kept all the commandments to do one thing more. He will always help us to see the next step. He will always expect us to take the next step. And He will help us to take it.

He has given us gifts to use for the expressed purpose of serving others His love. These gifts will need development in our understanding and use of them. We may need to ask Him what the next growth step is. As we take it; we develop the areas of serving He gives us.

The young man went away sad after Jesus told him his next step because he was not willing to take it. According to Jesus, that would have been his step to victory. Let’s get stepping.

A New Life, A New Opportunity

Matthew 20:26, “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant...”

Jesus said of Himself that He did not come to be served but to serve others. He illustrated this in many ways, but perhaps in none more powerful than when He washed the disciples’ feet. He commanded them to serve others in the same way.

Jesus not only expects us to serve others but He equips us to do it. He gives us passions and gifts to serve others. Paul wrote in his letters that “each” one of us have gifts given by God to serve others. So we have a call to serve, a gift to serve with and a people to serve. The only thing holding us back from this opportunity for greatness – is us.

Have you discovered your God-given gifts for serving others his love? You can study New Testament teaching about gifts He gives and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a discovery of your gifts. You can ask a spiritual leader in your life to help you on this discovery journey too.

God doesn’t give us gifts to display on a shelf. He gifts us to be a blessing to others. May His grace be displayed through your gifts as you serve others today.

Living Full...

John 14:26, “…the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Jesus said an expression of our love for Him is obedience to His commands. This would mean we would need to empty the parts of our lives that do not honor Him and fill it with the things that do. These things can be called spiritual disciplines. He has taught us what these disciplines are with His teaching and examples. These disciplines open the door for a more intimate relationship with Jesus.

As this intimacy grows in our relationship with Him, we begin to grow fruit that is attributed to the continued cultivating work of the Holy Spirit. This is not something we can buy from a spiritual market and add to our lives. It is grown from our intimate relationship with Christ.

These fruit are mentioned in Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruit grow when we make room for intimacy with Him. What fruit is growing in your life? Allow the Holy Spirit room and time to cultivate your relationship with Christ.