From Believers to Disciples
Friday, February 23, 2007
From Believers to Disciples Calendar
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“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Pray that those who are lost will seek out the Lord!
Heavenly Father, Jesus said that if He was “lifted up” that He would draw all people to Himself. I pray today for the fulfillment of that promise. I pray that people everywhere who have not responded to the saving grace of Jesus will do so. I pray that You will pour out Your Holy Spirit with great power so that those who don’t Yet know You will come to know You. I pray that You will empower Your Church throughout this planet to rise up and speak up for You, that the harvest may be brought in to Your storehouse. I pray that You will send out workers, and that I may be a worker who will glorify You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today: Acts 1:4-9
4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized withwater, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
As you read Acts 1:4-9 what is evident about the life of disciples?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
After reading today’s Scripture, what do you see as one necessity for moving from believers to disciples?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
What actions are necessary to fulfill the Great Commission (From Acts 1:4-9) in everyday life? Write several below, then take time to pray and ask God for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live them out today:
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
We will be entering the Lenten Season this Wednesday. February 21, 2007. Lent has traditionally been a season of reflection and repentance. In some parts of the Christian family folks “give up” something for Lent as a sign of devotion to Jesus. Why not consider “taking up” something for Jesus during this season, as He took up His cross for us? Taking up a new ministry or mission whether on a personal basis, or as part of a New Life team is one way to “take up” something for Jesus. Take some time each day this week to pray and reflect on your life and on what you have to offer by way of ministry, mission, outreach and service, and then COMMIT to taking up one of them this week!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
2/3 of God is GO!
As we have seen from our study of the Great Commission passages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts this week, God intends for us to go out with the Good News of Jesus! That Jesus’ commission to go out is included in all four Gospels and the Book of Acts tells us of it’s great importance. The reality is fulfilling the Great Commission is as simple as you and I telling the next person we see about the life and love of Jesus. We don’t have to give a full presentation of the Gospel. All there may be time for is a smile or a hand on the shoulder. With others there may be the opportunity to tell the Good News in its entirety. The key is as we are going, we must be ready to to offer others what we have already received—the new life of Jesus!