End of the Year Prayer Survey

Posted on December 28, 2011 by MinTools

While I am not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, I do believe in examining our lives and assessing, by God’s grace and power, where we need to improve.  New Year’s resolutions fall short because:

1)  They tend to grow out of self-assessment rather than asking God to examine our lives. (Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 3:5-6)

2)  They tend to be pursued with self-determination and self-effort rather than trusting God to work in and through us. (Jn. 15:5; Phil. 4:13)

Is it any wonder so many resolutions fail?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Ps. 139:23) - Survey your life this past year, praying as you ask the following questions.

How has your life affected those in your sphere of influence?

Hopefully you would be able to say that God used you to bless and build up other people rather than criticize or tear them down.

What have you used to guide you in serving and making everyday decisions?

Hopefully you would be able to say that you looked to God and His Word for direction rather than leaning on your own understanding or following after the ways of the world.

How have you dealt with problems, conflicts, or mistakes made by others or even yourself?

Hopefully you were able to apply both grace and truth rather than going to one extreme or the other.

What have you done to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and in ministry effectiveness?

Hopefully you have grabbed hold of the resources and growth opportunities God put before you rather than merely coast through life.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:24) - As God searches your heart, ask him to show you what He might want you to do differently in the upcoming year.

Perhaps you weren’t able to answer all of the above questions as hoped, or at least not consistently so.  Here is the good news.  You will have a new year ahead of you to change your answers, unless God takes you home to be with Him or if Jesus comes first.  Those aren’t bad options but don’t you want your life to be on track with Him in the meantime, to make a difference now?


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The Great Commission: Whose Responsibility is It?

Posted on December 26, 2011 by MinTools
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matt. 28:18-20)

The original disciples to whom Jesus spoke these words certainly were in a unique position to fulfill Jesus’ words as they were used by Him in a special way to begin the Church.

Missionaries who are committed to full-time ministry of spreading the Gospel through many venues in many places undoubtedly are ones who today can continue the advancement of this commission.

Church leaders whose responsibility it is to support and promote God’s mission undoubtedly have a strategic part in its fulfillment.

People with the spiritual gift of evangelism who have that special divine empowerment to share the Good News would especially be drawn toward the Great Commission.

What about all other Christians?  Is the Great Commission everybody’s responsibility?

Nowhere in the context of these verses do we read that Jesus intended to direct these words only to missionaries, church leaders, or people with the gift of evangelism. 

Verse 16 does let us know that He was speaking to the eleven disciples.  However His concluding words in verse 20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” suggest this commission was to continue on past the original disciples. 

Are you a disciple of Jesus today?  You too have a responsibility to fulfill Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples.”

More on the Great Commission


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Jesus … God With Us??

Posted on December 21, 2011 by MinTools

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.” (Matt. 1:23)

Yes, GOD with us.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.  (Heb. 1:3)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (Jn. 1:1-5)

God WITH us.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  (Jn. 1:14)

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:6-8)

God with US.

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet TO ALL WHO RECEIVED HIM, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (Jn. 1:9-13)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:20)


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Indications of God’s Presence in our Lives

Posted on December 19, 2011 by MinTools

In previous posts we looked at the effects of sin on experiencing the presence of God and the importance of God’s presence in a ministry so we must ask, “What are indications of God’s presence?” 

The following qualities give evidence of God’s Presence in our lives.

Peace (Rom. 15:33; Phil. 4:9)

When you know His presence, you can have an inward calm despite chaos around you because He is the God of peace.

Rest, Refreshment (Matt. 11:28; Acts 3:19)

When you acknowledge God’s presence, you can “cease striving” because He is God (Ps. 46:10, NASB).

Encouragement (Ps. 16:11; 21:6)

When you are aware of God’s presence, you can’t help but be full of joy and gladness because with Him come eternal blessings.

Shelter (Ps. 16:8-11; 31:20)

When you acknowledge His presence, you can feel secure because when you are with the all-powerful One you know you are protected.

Enlightenment (Ps. 89:15; 90:8)

When you get in touch with His presence, you can know which way to go as He lights your path.

Nearness  (Ps. 145:18; James 4:8)

When you bask in His presence, you can feel a sense of warmth and comfort because you know He accepts you and you belong to Him.

Contentment (Heb. 13:5)

When you experience His presence, you can be satisfied because you know you have all you need.

Endurance (Ps. 46:1; Isa. 41:10)

When you spend time in His presence, you can feel renewed as you find His strength and help to keep going, knowing you are upheld by Him.

What a difference it makes in our individual lives and in a church or ministry characterized by these qualities.  Likewise, what a difference it makes when they are absent.


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