Disciples Making Disciples

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.

 

Not “Please, when you have time, go.”
Not “If and when you feel up to it, go.”
Not “Somebody else will go.”

“Go. Make.”

 

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Out of a Disciple’s Storeroom

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 13:52 (CEV)
So he [Jesus] told them, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.”

New and old treasures–some think this means the New and Old Testaments. I wonder if it isn’t new and old wisdom. That is, a disciple doesn’t depend on old knowledge alone, but continually gathers new insights.

Dear Lord, keep adding new treasures to the old ones stored in my soul. And don’t let me be a hoarder. Teach me to share.

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Making Disciples–Not So Short and Simple

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Paul and Barnabas set an example for us to follow:

 

 

Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)
They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,  strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.

Making disciples isn’t one-and-done. It’s not short and simple. It’s on-going work. 

 

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A Unique Disciple

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

You are a unique disciple. As is anyone you disciple.

 

“[Discipleship] training cannot be done on a mass scale. It requires patient, careful instruction and prayerful, personal guidance over a considerable time. Disciples are not manufactured wholesale. They are produced only one by one.”
J. Oswald Sanders
Spiritual Leadership, Moody Publishers, 1967

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Discipled, Discipling

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

The Greek verb mathéteuó is “to be a disciple” or “to make a disciple.” How does it apply to you?

 

 

  • I am being discipled
  • I am making disciples
  • Both of the above
  • Neither of the above

Disciple as a verb includes growing in knowledge of God’s Word and developing the lifestyle it requires. Being discipled implies you are continuously studying the Scripture and putting it into practice.

Putting it into practice includes passing it on.

Being a disciple, making disciples–you can’t have one without the other.

 

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Haiti Lacks Safe Food Supplies

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

A recent article in the Navy Times caught my eye. The U. S. Navy hospital ship Comfort docked in Port-au-Prince for a week (November 4-13) and provided medical assistance. But it wasn’t just the desperate need for health care services that pulled at my heart.

“In addition, U.N. World Food Program spokesman Herve Verhoosel said Friday that more than 3.7 million people in the country of 11 million are facing food insecurity, with more than 1 million now in the emergency category, one step below famine.”

Let those number sink in. One-third of Haiti’s people lack consistent access to nutritious food.  One in ten is always hungry, not far from starvation.

Lord, feed your sheep in Haiti. Tell their story. Let the world see and compassionately respond. Transform corrupt and selfish leaders into kind and generous souls who worship You and safely shelter Your precious children.

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Simply No Better Time

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

The Apostle Paul was arrested on trumped-up charges and made his case before Felix, the Roman governor.

 

Acts 24:25 (NLV)
Paul spoke about being right with God . . . He spoke about standing before One Who will tell us if we are guilty. When Felix heard this, he became afraid and said, “Go now. I will send for you when it is a better time.”

Perhaps Felix was plugging for a bribe. Maybe he was too terrified to change. Maybe he wanted to pretend he’d never heard about God.

Time is short. Don’t be like Felix. He missed the opportunity of lifetime.

 

 

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Fruitful Times

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Acts 14:17 (MEV)
Yet He did not leave Himself without witness, for He did good and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying our hearts with food and gladness.

 

How many of us are quick to blame God for the dry seasons and laud ourselves for the fruitful ones? We claim full credit for our well-fed tummies and happy hearts.

What’s on your dinner plate today? More than enough to satisfy body and soul? Be fruitful with your praise. Thank God for his goodness.

 

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Times of Refreshing

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Acts 3:19 (AMP)
So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day].

 

Father God, change my thinking, scrub away those sins I so regret. Make me like a clean, bright white sheet, fluttering on the clothesline in the refreshing wind of Your presence.

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It’s about Time

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

My thoughts this week will be based on the Greek word kairos, sometimes translated “time.” It’s not so much an hour and minute, but a season, occasion or opportunity. It’s used in 86 different places in the New Testament, nine of them in the book of Acts. We’ll look at three:

  • Refreshing times
  • Fruitful times
  • Convenient times

Which one is driving you right now? Rest, productivity or convenience?

Regardless, your times are in God’s hands.

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