Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/28
PASSAGE: Matthew 28 [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
INSIGHT: The focus today is on the final command that Jesus gave the disciples here in Matthew 28. After spending just over three years in public ministry and relationship with his disciples, Jesus wanted them to pass on life with God to others: making disciples who make disciples.
A disciple is simply a student who emulates his teacher in everything. So what is this last challenge that Jesus gave his followers here that could be summarixed as – “making disciples who make disciples”? Disciple-making is apprenticing another person in the things that God has shown you as a follower of Christ and then encouraging them to pass it on to a third generation.
Pass on what you heard from me to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2
Disciple-making isn’t complete until there is a third generation.
The levels of learning:
• Teaching – “I do, you watch.”
• Mentoring/Modeling – “We do together.”
• Disciple-making – “You do, I affirm.”
Jesus focused his time on disciple-making. Often, he would model life with God in front of his disciples and then turn them loose to reach others in the towns they visited – “you do, I affirm.” He stretched their faith as he sent them out. They had to rely on God as they went out.
The one challenge that I would leave here is – how many disciples do you have? Who are you pouring into as a follower of Christ so that they can, in turn, pass on life with God to someone else. And the chain of disciple-making goes on and on and on.
PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to help you identify one person on your life that you can begin building a disciple-making relationship with and begin to fulfill Jesus’ command one person at a time.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Once you identify that person that you can pass on life with God to, pray and ask them if they would like to meet weekly for seven weeks to interact about what it means to go deeper spiritually. For example, read the Gospel of John together and discuss how to live out life with God that’s discussed in the gospel. Remember, there are formulas for disciple-making. It can be messy. But, as you enter into an intentional disciple-making relationship with someone, the spiritual joy and rewards are out of this world as you see someone grow in Christ and then pass on life with God to someone else. Disciple-making and helping others to experience Jesus is the greatest adventure that this life offers. Start today. Join God in what he is doing in this world to reconcile others to him and give them “more and better” life.
I hope the best for you on your journey with Jesus.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/28
PASSAGE: John 20 [24] Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” [26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
[27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” [28] Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [30] Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. [31] But these are written that you may[a] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
INSIGHT: In this passage in the Gospel of John, Thomas doubts the testimony of the other disciples about the veracity of the resurrection. Doubt is something that we all have struggled with at some point on our spiritual journey. Doubt has become a dirty word in many churches. It shouldn’t be. It’s healthy. If faith is the engine that propels our life, doubts are the brakes that stop us from going down the wrong street. It’s healthy to have doubts. For instance, doubts can lead us to investigate our faith and search for viable reasons to believe that build spiritual confidence. So, doubt, when recognized and addressed, can lead to a healthier, more realistic faith.
But doubt can also be problematic. For instance, it would be unhealthy is to have only doubts, and no faith. That’s like having a car with great brakes, but no engine. You can’t go anywhere.
In this passage, Thomas went too far with his doubt. It overshadowed his faith. It would have been reasonable for him to believe the testimony of the disciples about the resurrection because he had been in relationship with them and Jesus for quite a while.
How are you doing with you own doubts about spiritual things like God, faith or Christianity? Are you dealing with your doubt by seeking viable answers?
PRAYER FOCUS: If you’re struggling with doubt, let God know it. Ask God to help you deal with doubt in a healthy way.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: List out your spiritual doubts. Take one of them and begin some spiritual investigation about it. If it’s an intellectual issue or something that has to do with believing something in the Bible, start with some online investigation. A great starting place is this blog site. Read the blog series, Faith On Trial. Faith was never intended to be blind. There is a plethora of evidence that supports the basic tenets of Christianity.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/27
PASSAGE: John 14 [6] Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
INSIGHT: In this passage in John 14, when Jesus said that he is the truth. What did he mean? He is the sole revelation of the one and only God that you can’t see with your human eyes (John 1:18). What did he mean when he said he is the life?
In Matthew 7:13-14, many scholars believe that this is a reference to heaven and hell. Heaven and hell are real places that do exist but other Bible scholars think this passage here in Matthew refers to life in the here and now.
Matthew 7 [13] Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
In the context of this passage, Jesus was in the midst of trying to get the religious leaders to see that their form of spirituality was all about religious formulas that were keeping people from experiencing the freedom and release that God has for them. In effect, their teachings were leading people to destruction or a life of ruin. On the other hand, the narrow gate or way of Jesus leads to life — not external requirements to keep and uphold — but an internal transformation.
Think about it. When we do life in our strength and power, we fall into all kinds of things that control us and choke us — worry, doubt, depression, anxiety, boredom, isolation – you name it. These can lead to destructive strongholds that keep us from experiencing life the way God intended. When we choose to follow Jesus and ask him to lead us and guide us each day, worry leaves, doubts subside, depression lessens since we experience God’s love, anxiety turns to trust and boredom is replaced with enjoying life like never before! In John 11:25, Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life.” He is the way to avoid destruction in this life and in the next life too.
PRAYER FOCUS: Spend some time thanking God for sending His Son to be the way, the truth and the life for each us each day.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: If you’re struggling with an unhealthy stronghold, the starting place for healing is to renew your mind with truth. The biggest battle that we face in life is right between our ears. The negative self-talk that happens in our minds can be a constant battle. Today, think of a favorite Psalm that brings encouragement to you (e.g., Psalm 139 or Psalm 119). Spend some time reading it today and ask God to renew your mind with his thoughts and ways.
Psalm 139 [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/26
PASSAGE: John 14 [6] Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
INSIGHT: What did mean when he said he was the way? He is the way to eternal life with God forever. But, when he said he was the way, it also applies to our present lives. It means that he is the only avenue of access to this one and only God that we can’t see.
He is the way that God made the world (Colossians 1:15-16). Jesus is the way that people were made to function in relationships with each other. He is the way that people were made to live in harmony with God. He is the way that people were made to live and breath. Jesus is saying here that I am the source and giver of the life from above. Just as in the original creation, he is the giver of physical life.
As you think about Jesus, is he truly the way for you?
PRAYER FOCUS: “God, please help me to see Jesus as the way for me in how I do life.”
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Spend some time reflecting on how Jesus is the way in aspects of your own life. If you discover areas of your life where he isn’t the way, won’t you give him those areas of your life today.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/22
PASSAGE: Matthew 4 [8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. [9] “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” [10] Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” [11] Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
INSIGHT: Satan tries one more time to get Jesus to cave into trusting himself instead of his heavenly Father. This last temptation is a full-on attack – not as subtle as the first two temptations. Satan’s offer is real since the Bible tells us that he rules the world (Ephesians 2:2; 3:10 and 6:12). When you look at this final temptation, you may be thinking that this one is fairly easy to resist. But, when we’re struggling to make ends meet and we look at how well others are doing, we may be enticed to want more things. When we see those in power over us, we may become envious and want that kind of power and authority too.
Possessions, power and money are not unhealthy. It’s the love or envy of these things that is unhealthy. Why? We’re most likely moving toward seeking to satisfy ourselves – above and beyond that God may want for us.
Jesus resists the temptation by quoting Scripture to Satan. He seeks God’s will first. “I can do nothing on my own.”
PRAYER FOCUS: Thank God for the many blessings that you have. Be satisfied with what he has given you.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Do a spiritual inventory of your life. Is there any unhealthy envy in your life that may be pulling you away from God? If there is, ask God to help be fully satisfied with him, the things he had given you and the life that you have.
There’s an old hymn that I’m reminded of from time to time that helps me get perspective on all that God has given me. Read it and focus today on the incredible love and provision of our heavenly Father.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
