As many ministries get older, they slowly lose their initial focus on serving the Lord. What once was excitement to serve and spontaneous growth is now replaced with stagnancy. How do we go about restoring in our ministries that initial passion to serve the Lord? The simplest way to bring about change is to start with changing yourself. 1. Abandon Yourself to God Genuine revival of ourselves comes from a personal, intimate encounter with the living God, not with changing... Read more
I want to share a few thoughts on things that have helped me in times of struggle and when I get discouraged. God has given us focus in the battle and weapons to fight with. First, no matter the reason for getting discouraged, think about the Lord. Hebrews 12:1–3 says, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let... Read more
“You know one of the hardest things I have to deal with is to sit in front of a man who has done awful, stupid things in his life or ministry yet has no conviction of sin. Even if he is caught, he acts as if there is no problem and simply asks for a transfer. I am weary of it.” These were the exact words to me from a minister whose denomination appointed him as a counselor for its... Read more
We have seen time and time again in Scripture that our ministry is built upon relationships. However, sometimes an organization’s culture can develop controlling rules and regulations that can hinder an individual’s freedom to serve and grow. So, what do we do when our relationship-oriented ministry has become more focused on what each person can do rather than on everyone serving together? We must come to the place at which we let go of our controls and give freedom... Read more
Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor … Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.[1] Take a minute and look around you. Look close at the faces of people and see in... Read more
Unfortunately, in the Christian world today, the need for discipleship is great. There are many people who receive teaching and hear sermon after sermon, but few who really have someone discipling them. This is because true disciple makers are too few. Many may be considered disciple makers because of the degrees they possess, but that means nothing if their lives are not paving the way for a younger brother or sister to follow. It is our lives that make the... Read more
The four Gospels present Jesus in action training His disciples. Because Jesus is our ultimate model, here are six particular aspects of the way He made disciples: 1. The Disciples of Jesus were Teachable All those Jesus selected (except Judas) were ordinary, simple, working people. Jesus selected them because they had hearts that were willing to learn. Deep inside they were teachable. Godly leaders are not made with money or education. They are made by transferring values from a godly... Read more
“How Should We Pray?” Dr. KP Yohannan Metropolitan shares vital instruction on how to pray – the steps to true and effective prayer. He admonishes us to live in the atmosphere of prayer, our hearts continually being lifted up in prayer to Him. How to Pray: 1. Pray with absolute confidence that God is on our side When we pray, the devil will bombard us and make us feel sinful and horrible about ourselves. We will never come to the place of... Read more
One of the first things Jesus did when He started His ministry on earth was to choose 12 men to give His time and energy to disciple. He lived with them, laughed with them and taught them day by day through the various situations of life. “Every mature believer must be a disciple maker, aiding in the spiritual growth of those younger in the Lord, for this is the way the Church is built and continues on.”He intentionally invested His... Read more
Bringing the hope of Jesus to the world through “ownership” It is hardworking people that serve the Lord faithfully. But how does one become hardworking? Our flesh simply hates discipline and hard work, and by nature we tend to be lazy and like our rest. But in the work of the Lord, we simply cannot afford to. The work is far too important, because it will have an impact for eternity. What is it, then, that moves us past our... Read more
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