KINGDOM PROMISES: LIKE SHEEP AMONG WOLVES

Jesus said, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” (Matthew 10:16 NIV)

The church is always at its best when it goes into the world humbly, like sheep among wolves. Ironically, a few centuries after Jesus, when the church did get some political and financial power, it lost much of its spiritual power. One Christ follower, John Chrysostom, was reflecting on this verse about being sent by Jesus like sheep among wolves and how the concept was getting lost as the church gained power. He said, “Let us then be ashamed, who do the contrary, who set out like wolves upon our enemies. For so long as we are sheep, we conquer… But if we become wolves, we are worsted, for help of our Shepherd departs from us: for He feeds not wolves, but sheep.” 

-- John Ortberg in “All the Places to Go: How Will You Know?”

#5978

KINGDOM PROMISES: ALREADY BUT NOT YET

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”  (Philippians 3:20-21 NIV)

When we think of kingdom, we often think of place, but the kingdom of God is not a place: it refers to the reign of God, or God's in-breaking, saving activity. Eschatological living means envisioning life in light of the saving activity of God in our midst -- not only what He has already done, but also what He promises to do in the future. God's kingdom is not fully manifest yet; we live between the beginning and the completion. 

-- Ben Witherington III in “Christianity Today,” October 15, 2012 

#5977

KINGDOM PROMISES: WHAT LIFE SHOULD BE

“Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”  (Mark 1:14b-15 ESV)

Jesus spoke a lot about the kingdom of God. In one sense that kingdom is all of creation, and God is the "King of the Universes," a phrase my Jewish friends use to address God. But human existence has been marked by rebellions against God. From Adam and Eve on, people have regularly turned aside from God's will (a practice we call sin), with the result that human history is littered with wars, acts of inhumanity, and injustice. As we say in the prayer of confession that often accompanies the Eucharist, "We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves." So when Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God, He is usually articulating a vision not of what life is, but what it should be. Through new birth [in Christ] and the sanctifying work of the Spirit, we seek to reflect that kingdom in our lives. 

-- Adam Hamilton in “Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It”

#5976

KINGDOM PROMISES: OUR PAST AND FUTURE

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  (Hebrews 12:28 NIV)

Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. 

-- Oswald Chambers in “My Utmost for His Highest”

#5975

REVOLUTIONARY

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”  (Colossians 3:12 NRSV)

This election cycle in the U.S. is pulling people apart. The rhetoric, name-calling, and polarization is extreme. Rather than working together to move our country forward, nothing happens.

I have often thought that a good analogy for what’s happening is this: Two brothers are pulling a red Radio Flyer wagon carrying their little sister. Each has a grip on the handle. They are moving steadily down the street, one gently tugging one way, then the other gently pulling the other way, and the wagon moves steadily forward. But as time goes on, the angle of the pulls gets more extreme and the force exerted has gotten stronger and stronger. Instead of talking about their common goals for the wagon, they are yelling at each other over who is right. And the wagon is no longer moving forward. It is being jostled to the point of dumping its precious cargo.

Josh Wilson sings a song called “Revolutionary” (written by Jason Mater, James Tealy, Steven Fee, and Joshua Wilson). I resonate with the perspective he shares. 

REVOLUTIONARY
 
Maybe you're not like me
Maybe we don't agree
Maybe that doesn't mean
We gotta be enemies
Maybe we just get brave
Take a big leap of faith
Call a truce so me and you
Can find a better way
 
Let's take some time, open our eyes, look and listen
And we're gonna find we're more alike than we are different
 
Why does kindness seem revolutionary?
When did we let hate get so ordinary?
Let's turn it around, flip the script
Judge slow, love quick
God help us get revolutionary
 
I'm turning the TV down
Drowning their voices out
'Cause I believe that you and me
Can find some common ground
See, maybe I'm not like you
But I'll walk a mile in your shoes
If it means I might see
The world the way you do
 
What would Jesus do?
He would love first
Yeah, He would love first
So we should love first
 
God help us get revolutionary

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#5974

DO YOU WANT HELP?

“One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, Jesus asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’”  (John 5:5-6 NIV)

Who wouldn’t want help? Someone in denial of reality.

I imagine after so many years, the man at the pool no longer has a healthy idea of what life could be if he stood and moved about town and took ownership of his life. Time did its thing, but so did environment. He spent every day and every night surrounded by hurting people. The world was compressed to the bounds of those five colonnades that defined the pool at Bethesda. He wasn’t around too many healthy people, so unhealthy had become his new normal.

I watched a documentary about a thirty-four-year-old woman who had a three-hundred-pound tumor removed from her body. The tumor itself was twice the size of her initial body weight. It was a very horrific thing to see, needless to say. As the filmmakers documented this surgery, it was clear that they wondered why she had waited until the tumor was the size it was. All she could really say was that she didn’t get help because she figured it would go away on its own.

The tumor was unique, but the attitude was not. We figure that our finances will sort themselves out it time. But the credit card debt keeps piling up, and still we keep spending. The tumor is growing.

We figure our teenage daughter will change her behavior and get with the program. Meanwhile, she’s starting to cut herself. She’s beginning to fall in with a very unhealthy group of kids, and she’s moving further away from God by the day, but we decide to be patient. The tumor is growing.

We figure the problems in our marriage will fade away on their own if we don’t address them. Who says we need help? Just ordinary husband-and-wife-stuff, and it is nobody else’s business. And within a few months, we’re sleeping in separate rooms and he’s feeling an attraction to someone at work. The tumor is growing.

Jesus asks, “Do you want to get well?” Why not ask for help? 

-- Kyle Idleman in “The End of Me: Where Real Life in the Upside-Down Ways of Jesus Begins” 

#5973

BECOMING VASTLY MORE

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12: 2 NLT)

God accepts us as we are, but longs for us to become more. When we learn to cooperate with Him and seek His will as the supreme good for our lives, then we can believe what He already believes about us -- that we can be vastly more than we are. We need not forever be the victims of our earlier conditioning. God has put within us the power to change, to overcome our handicaps, and to grow. 

-- Adapted from Cecil Osborne in “The Art of Understanding Yourself” 

#5972

CONFORMING TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

There is a change that should be occurring in every Christian’s life right now. It is a progressive change that begins the moment one becomes a Christian and continues until the day one dies. God is in the business of changing Christians to become just like Jesus Christ in character: “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29 NIV). The verse that immediately precedes this verse is one of the most-loved and oft-quoted passages of the Bible: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Yes, God does work all things together for good. But what is “good”? And what about the qualifying phrase “of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”? Verse 29 answers both of those questions. God’s idea of “good” is to use every circumstance in your life to mold you into the image of His Son. How much difference is there between your character and the character of Jesus Christ? The answer to that question will give you a clue as to how much change you can expect in your life!

God’s sovereign purpose is to change us into the image of His Son. 

-- Robert Jeffress in “Choose Your Attitude, Change Your Life” 

#5971

ALL-SUFFICIENT GRACE

And the Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)

There is power in the grace of God. The verb translated “is sufficient” is in the present tense – as is God’s grace, which is always present. In every situation, we can rely on Him to provide strength and courage. He will never give us all that we want, but He will give us all that we need.

Compare our Lord to the gods of all the world’s religions and you’ll find that grace is the difference maker. It is the X factor that radically sets Him apart. Our God is “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10). He is kind, benevolent, and long-suffering. We need not beg Him, bribe Him, or appease Him. He actually longs to bless us every single moment, every single day. He comes down to us rather than demanding that we climb the impossible ladder to infinity to reach Him. Grace is God taking the initiative.

In this same letter, Paul explained, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV).

Notice the repetition of the word “all.” All grace abounds toward us so that we are all sufficient in all things. He is all we need in all we face, so that for all we do, we can overflow with His grace and power. 

-- David Jeremiah in “Keep the Faith: How to Stand Strong in a World Turned Upside Down” 

#5970

A WORLD IN NEED OF A SAVIOR

Let us remember that it is a full salvation we offer. Some movements have been content to save their people and then leave them to heaven. [From early on] Methodism has insisted that we are saved so that we can grow. John and Charles Wesley believed that their somewhat ragtag group of butchers, miners, and household servants could become saints. We are challenged to believe as grandly for the computer generation, for a century of skeptics, and for the spiritually cautious.

And we are saved to serve our present age. Traditionally, we have believed we could “spread scriptural holiness throughout the land.” Now we must do so in a time when family structures are under assault while political systems build their new Babels, and when evils of misery, poverty, and war seem more entrenched than ever.

There could hardly be a better time to preach the gospel of Christ, and surely no better time to sing it. The gospel has always been needed, since it is God’s solution for the human race, but in our day the need is more poignant and more dramatic. Whether one looks at the penultimate threat of nuclear destruction, or the private anguish of the lonely soul in an impersonal society, one cannot imagine a world more starkly in need of a Savior. There could hardly be a more demanding, more exhilarating time to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.

But we must have a song to sing. Without a song, we will only add to the dissonance of our times… On one of his birthdays, Wesley wrote:

          In rapture of joy
          My life I employ,
          The God of my life to proclaim:
          ‘Tis worth living for this,
          To administer bliss, 
          And salvation in Jesus’ name.

-- J. Ellsworth Kalas in “Our First Song: Evangelism in the Hymns of Charles Wesley”

#5969

 

TO DIE IN THE LORD

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’”  (Revelation 14:13 NRSV)

Several older women were having lunch together in a café.  They were discussing how they wanted to die.  One lady said, "I want to die in Arizona.  I've always loved the climate, and when I go I hope it's there."  Another lady quickly responded, "Not me!  I want to die right here at home.  I want my family close by."  A third lady said, "I'd like to die in the spring.  Just one last look at the flowers, you know."  The fourth lady said, "Me?  I should like to die in Hawaii having a fling and spending my last nickel."  Finally, the last lady took her turn.  "When I die," she said, "I want to pass away in the Lord. In Florida, in Arizona, in the spring of the year, all is of little consequence.  But to die in the Lord, that is Paradise!" 

How about you?  Which way do you want to die?  Rich or poor, here or there, suffering or in your sleep – all that is ultimately of little consequence.  But to die in the Lord, that is happiness. 

-- Rev. Keith Schroerlucke in a sermon entitled "When Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow"

#5968

IT REFLECTS ON JESUS

“People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:15-16 NRSV)

In coming to know Jesus, you have come to know yourself, too: naturally, this is more pleasant for some than for others, but to see yourself as you really are can never be entirely pleasant.  And when a Christian fails at something he ought to have done, it isn't just the failure that hurts -- there is also the knowledge that he has let Jesus down.  And those little shortcomings of ours, that used to matter so little, compared with the glaring faults of others: we know now that our temper, or our gloom, or our selfishness, reflects on Jesus; and knowing that people are judging your Lord by you is not always a joyous thought to live with. 

-- Robert MacColl Adams (1913-1985) in “Of Rice and Men” 

#5967

THE GREATNESS OF GOD’S SALVATION

“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”  (1 John 4:9-12 NIV)

The deepest longing in a person's heart is to have a relationship with God. When we open the Scriptures, we are surprised to discover how much God desires for His people to have a love relationship with Him. In fact, the more we study the Scriptures, the more we are overwhelmed at the greatness of God's salvation and the love relationship that He seeks to develop with us. God's salvation set in motion everything He intended to accomplish in us. If we do not understand the extent of God's accomplished work on our behalf, we will never experience abundant life, nor will we fulfill God's purpose for our lives. God is not primarily interested in making us successful; instead, His heart desires for us to experience the full measure of His great salvation.

-- Henry Blackaby and Melvin D. Blackaby in “Experiencing God Together: God's Plan to Touch Your World”

#5966

A PLACE IN GOD’S HEART

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  (John 3:16-18 NKJV)

Augustine wrote (in “Confessions”): "Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee."

Could it be true that there is a place in God's heart that only you can fill, that only I can fill -- that God is restless until we rest in Him?

What a thought -- that there is a place in God's heart that only you can fill! That's more than a thought; it's a truth verified in the most dramatic and convincing way: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

Think about that for a moment. I don't know of a more exhilarating truth. If you love someone, you need that someone to return that love, don't you? Sure you do! So it is with God. God loves you and needs your love. God will not allow death to destroy you. If you are forever separated from God, it will be your choice, not God's. In God's heart there is a place that only you can fill.

-- Maxie Dunnam in “Living the Psalms: A Confidence for All Seasons” 

#5965

A PRAYER FOR OUR CLERGY

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”  (Philippians 1:3-5 NIV)

For Clergy Appreciation Month may this prayer bring comfort and encouragement to all those who serve in ministry.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, lifting up our local church pastors, chaplains, and retired clergy. We thank You for their dedication, their tireless service, and their unwavering commitment to caring for Your flock.

For our local church pastors, we ask for Your continued guidance and strength. Bless them with wisdom as they lead their congregations, and fill them with Your Spirit so they may preach Your Word with boldness and clarity. Grant them the endurance to face the challenges of ministry and the joy of seeing lives transformed by Your grace.

For our chaplains, who serve in hospitals, military, prisons, and other institutions, we pray for Your protection and peace. May they be a source of comfort and hope to those in need, and may their presence be a reflection of Your love and compassion demonstrated through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Give them the words to speak in difficult situations and the strength to carry out their duties with grace and mercy.

For our retired clergy, we offer our deepest gratitude for their years of faithful service. May they find rest and fulfillment in their retirement, knowing that their labor in Your vineyard has not been in vain. Bless them with good health, joy, and the continued assurance of Your presence in their lives.

Lord, we ask that You surround all these faithful servants with Your love and encouragement. May their hearts be uplifted by the appreciation and support of their communities. Strengthen them in their calling, and may they always feel valued and cherished for the work they do in Your name.

We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#5964

FACING THE STORMS OF LIFE

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Life often brings unexpected storms -- challenges that test our faith and resilience. In these moments, it can be tempting to seek refuge in our own understanding, trying to navigate the tempest with our limited perspective. However, Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us of a profound truth: our ultimate refuge and strength come from trusting in the Lord.

Religious faith is not merely a shelter from life’s storms; it is the inner strength that empowers us to face them with hope and serenity. When we trust in the Lord with all our heart, we acknowledge that His wisdom far surpasses our own. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to lean into His guidance and surrender our need for control.

By acknowledging God in all our ways, we invite Him to direct our paths. This means seeking His will in every decision, big or small, and believing that He will lead us through the storm. It is in this surrender that we find peace, knowing that we are not alone and that God’s plans for us are good.

As we face the storms of life, let us remember that our faith is not a mere escape but a source of strength. Trusting in the Lord transforms our perspective, allowing us to see beyond the immediate turmoil to the greater purpose He has for us. With our hearts anchored in His promises, we can weather any storm, confident that He will guide us safely to calmer waters.

– SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#5963

THE PSALMIST’S REMINDER

Tragedies can hit us like emotional earthquakes.  What can we do when shattering experiences come upon us?  "Come and see the works of the Lord" (Psalm 46:8), counsels the Psalmist.  When we contemplate the might and grace of God, we will have confidence that He will sustain us amid life's most devastating circumstances.

The Psalmist reminds us of:

- God's Protection: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

- God's Presence: "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells" (Psalm 46:4).

- God's Power: "He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire" (Psalm 46:9).

"Therefore we will not fear."  In contrast to the devastation about him, the Psalmist sees God's grace bringing sustenance to the believer.  We can experience this renewal by entering the stillness to which He directs us: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

-- Colonel Henry Gariepy (1930–2010), The Salvation Army 

#5962

TREATING OTHERS WITH RESPECT AND LOVE

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  (Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV)

I know a man who lives in another state and claims to be very religious.  Many people regard him as a man of great faith.  He can quote scripture with the best of them. He can rattle off important dates in church history.  He can recite the creeds eloquently.  He can spout high-sounding theology in the air.  But I'm not impressed, because I've seen how he treats his wife and children.  I've seen how he treats his neighbors and those who work for him.  He is harsh with people.  He is tough and hostile and critical.  He's judgmental, ill-tempered, and impatient with everyone around him.

All the outer religious fervor and activity mean nothing if we are cruel and hateful toward other people.  When we show love, compassion, and kindness to others, that's when they really begin to see our faith.  If you want to do good for Christ, then treat others with respect and love.

Does the way you speak bring others to Christ?  And how about the way you treat other people?  Does that bring them to Christ and Christian faith? 

--  James W. Moore in “When You're a Christian, the Whole World is from Missouri” 

#5961

GOD LIVES WITHIN YOU

Jesus said to His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever -- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17 NKJV)

Dwell on the fact that God lives within you.  Think of the power that gives your life.  The realization that God is dwelling within you may change the places you want to go and the things you want to do today.

-- Max Lucado

#5960

SUMMING UP CHARACTER

Character comes from the Greek word describing a marking and engraving instrument. The picture is of an artist who wears a groove on a metal plate by repeatedly etching in the same place with a sharp tool. My character is forged as a set of distinctive marks that, when taken together, draw a portrait of who I really am.

Behavior and character are linked together, but they are not the same thing. Behavior is what I do, one action at a time. “I behaved badly in that situation.” Character is the sum of all my behavior, both public and private, arranged as patterns across the entire spectrum of my life. Any behavior, duplicated and reduplicated, forms a part of my character.

Repeated patterns of behavior wear a series of grooves, which, when put together, form a portrait of me as a person or show a picture of my character…

I have control over my character. I can improve it, change it, modify it, and compromise it. In a world where we seem to have little control, we call the shots when it comes to whether or not our character is diminished. Job said to his friends concerning his character: “I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.” (Job 27:5-6)

If my character goes down, I am the only one who can be blamed. No other person apart from me can allow my character to be compromised.  

-- Dr. Stephen Graves and Dr. Thomas Addington in “A Case for Character”

#5959

CHOOSING HUMILITY OVER PRIDE

“For who considers you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  (1 Corinthians 4:7 NASB)

Former Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey tells the story of a humbling visit to a restaurant. The waiter brought over the rolls, but no butter. “May I have some butter, please?” Bradley asked.

The waiter gave a slight nod and wandered off, but ten minutes later, no butter. Bradley caught the waiter’s eye. “May I please have some butter?” The waiter barely acknowledged the request. After ten more minutes, still no butter.

“Maybe you don’t know who I am,” said Bradley. “I’m a Princeton graduate, a Rhodes scholar, and an All-American basketball player who played for the New York Knicks in the pros. I’m currently a United States senator from New Jersey, chairman of the International Debt Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and a member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee.”

“Maybe you don’t know who I am,” said the waiter. “I’m the guy who’s in charge of the butter.”

What happened after that is unknown, but occasionally we all need to have someone burst our balloon of self-importance and bring us back to reality. Such experiences are healthy because they help us maintain a proper perspective about our accomplishments. Pride is an attitude that causes us to credit ourselves for our accomplishments and to blame others for our failures. On the other hand, humility is an attitude that views both our accomplishments and our failures from God’s perspective.

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  (James 4:6b NASB)  

-- Robert Jefferies in “Choose Your Attitude, Change Your Life”

#5958

 

THE RIGHT MAP

[Jesus said to His disciples,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  (John 14:1-5 NIV)

Maps are certainly important for giving direction. But, the only thing worse than having no map is having the wrong map. Stephen Covey writes about the importance of having the right map in his book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”:

“Suppose you wanted to arrive at a specific location in central Chicago. A street map of the city would be a great help to you in reaching your destination. But suppose you were given the wrong map. Through a printing error, the map labeled ‘Chicago’ was actually a map of Detroit. Can you imagine the frustration, the ineffectiveness of trying to reach your destination? You might work on your behavior – you could try harder, be more diligent, double your speed. But your efforts would only succeed in getting you to the wrong place faster. You might work on your attitude – you could think more positively. You still wouldn’t get to the right place, but perhaps you wouldn’t care. Your attitude would be so positive, you’d be happy wherever you were. The point is, you’d still be lost. The fundamental problem has nothing to do with your behavior or your attitude. It has everything to do with having the wrong map.”

It seems that there are a great deal of people today trying to find their way with the wrong map. If I just put out the right effort… If I just have a positive attitude… If I just do enough good works… then I’ll get there. That’s why Jesus answered Thomas’ question by saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-7 NIV)

Jesus is not only the right map, He is the way. The Son will take you to His Father’s house.

– Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#5957

MAKING DISCIPLES IS A JOURNEY – Part 2 of 2

In small groups, we find a community of believers who support and encourage one another. It is in these intimate, face-to-face settings that we can share our struggles, celebrate our victories, and grow together in our faith. Small groups offer a safe space for honest conversations, deep reflections, and mutual accountability.

COMMITT TO A SMALL GROUP: If you are not already part of a small group, consider joining one. Look for a group that aligns with your spiritual goals and where you feel comfortable sharing and growing.

ENGAGE IN PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY: Make prayer and Bible study a regular part of your small group meetings. These practices are essential for spiritual growth and for understanding God’s will for our lives.

FOSTER CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION: Encourage open and honest conversations about faith, life, and challenges. These discussions can lead to deeper insights and stronger relationships.

PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE: Find opportunities as a small group to serve in your church and community. It will be a witness to the impact Christ is having through small groups.

SEEK ACCOUNTABLITY: Find a trusted member of your small group to hold you accountable in your spiritual journey. Accountability helps us stay committed and focused on our growth.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of community and the opportunity to grow together in faith. Help us to be diligent in our journey of discipleship, seeking You with all our hearts. May our small groups be places of transformation, where we are molded into the likeness of Christ. Guide us, strengthen us, and fill us with Your Spirit as we strive to make disciples and grow in our faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#5956