THE CHAIR

Here is another classic video tool on the topic of total surrender to God.

ENABLEMENT

BY STEVE DUNN

In the study of spiritual gifts, we often define them as divine enablements.  This is to distinguish them from skills.  All persons can be taught the skill of sharing one's faith, i.e., how to do evangelism.  In this case, learning precedes acting.  The skill is enhanced when it is empowered by the Holy Spirit's presence in the activity.

An enablement is not learned,  it is bestowed.  It is a gift of the Holy Spirit and its exercise provides leadership and encouragement to the rest of the Body as all do the work of evangelism.  One might say that the spiritual gift itself becomes a part of the new nature of the believer.  They cannot help but make disciples because that in particular was what they were redeemed to do.

Or think of teachers.  Some people by skill are good teachers--and we learn from them.  But some are given the Gift of Teaching and despite what others may consider a lack of skill or a deficit in presentation, we are compelled to learn deep truth when they speak.

What do you think--read this alongside Ephesians 4 for more insights.

JESUS NEVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY

This thoughtful blog from Michael Reynolds is a good way to start the week being an authentic ands maturing disciple of Jesus Christ. - STEVE

What Has God Done For You Lately?

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Michael K. Reynolds

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What has God done for you lately? What has God done for me lately?
Have you ever realized that many of our complaints today are about things we once fervently prayed for in the past? Our answered prayers have become today’s whine.
I have. And I am ashamed.
For instance.
PAST PRAYER: Lord, please help us buy this house.
TODAY’S WHINE: A house that has dropped fifty percent in value with the market crash and a mortgage that is difficult to meet each month.
TRUTH: It gave our family shelter from the storms for many years and it’s still worth more than when we bought it.
PAST PRAYER: Help me start a business of my own.
TODAY’S WHINE: A company that is now challenged in a difficult economy.
TRUTH: The business has provided for my family for fifteen years.
PAST PRAYER: Please help me land a book publishing contract.
TODAY’S WHINE: Seemingly impossible writing deadlines.
TRUTH: Many other writers would do anything to have my “problems”.
PAST PRAYER: Please help me buy a car that will last a long time.
TODAY’S WHINE: I drive a car that is seventeen years old.
TRUTH: This amazing car has been mostly trouble-free for seventeen years. 
PAST PRAYER: Lord, please encourage this precious woman to say “Yes”.
TODAY’S WHINE: A wife who questions some of my plans.
TRUTH: What bothers me most is she’s RIGHT. My bride is my most trusted adviser. 
So the better question is this: Why does God do ANYTHING for me lately?
There are SO many others who have so much less than I do, and bear it with a smile.
Paul wrote it beautifully when he shared:
⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Tim 6: 6-10 
Piercing myself with many griefs? I am guilty as charged. Father, please forgive me. Give me a thankful heart for every breath I breathe.
What about you? What has God done for you lately?

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A DISTURBING TREND

 

Does this disturb you?  It should.  It says we are losing ground in the mission initiated by the Great Commission.  This same research also reports that the number of the unaffiliated has now passed those who identify themselves as Protestants.  Only self-identified Roman Catholics represent a greater portion of the population than the Unaffiliated.  

Now let us add another disturbing observation, this one from Greg Kinnamon.  He reports that only 50% of those making decisions for Christ in the last 10 years are now functioning disciples.

So let me ask a question.  Who are you discipling?  Evangelism for much of the past two centuries has focused more on making converts than disciples.  We call this decisional evangelism, but without effectively discipling those new believers, they do not become disciple-makers.  And without a whole of us committed to fulfilling the Great Commission in its fullness, the above mentioned  trends will grow more significant.

So what are we going to do about it?

- Steve

This is part 1 in a series called, "Making More and Better Disciples."

Read more about the Pew Study in  Shawn Anderson's blog living dangerously - intentionally making disciples.  READ