Christian Walk with God | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Results of Making Outreach a Priority

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

God sent Jesus “to seek and save the lost” (Lk. 19:10). The results of making outreach a priority, of making His mission our mission, are significant — the difference between life and death for those who put their trust in the One we proclaim. As we reach out with His heart for the lost, people gain a better understanding of His desire that everyone comes into a relationship with Him so they experience eternity with God rather than apart from Him (2 Pet. 3:9).

3 Results of Making Outreach a Priority

1) People become disciples of Jesus.

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. 28:19-20)

2) Fellowship with those who become Jesus’ disciples is made possible.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 Jn. 1:3)

3) God is glorified.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 4:15)

These results are listed in the Church Purpose Ministry Manual which looks at outreach as one of the ways we fulfill our purpose to love people. The manual also provides some questions to reflect on about your approach to outreach.

Learn More: Resources for Outreach Ministry

Making an Eternal Difference in the Workplace?

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

The United States celebrates working men and women on Labor Day. But, have you ever asked similar to King Solomon’s question in Ecclesiastes 1:3? — “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” — Is there more to work than that paycheck? What if its something you don’t enjoy doing? People around you may not be the easiest to work with. Perhaps you’re unappreciated and underpaid with too many expectations. You’re on a treadmill, going through the same motions day after day with little reward. It may be difficult to even think about making an eternal difference in the workplace.

Perspective Needed to See your Job Like a Mission Field, Where You Work in Ways that Count for Eternity

Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn. 6:27). Now, Jesus wasn’t saying we should all quit our jobs and “do ministry” but rather to live for Him wherever we are and in whatever we do. It isn’t an either/or proposition. We can work for that which “endures to eternal life” in our jobs if we see the workplace as our ministry, as our mission field.

With the changing landscape of the workplace of many working remotely from home, it may be more challenging to know how to purposefully let our light shine digitally, by phone, with less people contact, or socially-distanced. Certainly, however, God is capable of giving us the wisdom we need for how to live for Him in whatever situation we might find ourselves. He promises wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5).

Power Needed to Make an Eternal Difference in the Workplace

How easy it can be to gripe and complain about our jobs or the people with whom we work. Sometimes the stress of a job, or a boss, seems unbearable. Maybe you find it difficult to put in an honest day’s work from home with all the distractions.

Both our actions and attitudes, along with our words, help determine the kind of impact we have in the workplace so it’s vital that we rise above. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …” (Phil. 4:12) What was it that enabled him face hardships and persecution with grace? He continued with the answer. — “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

We need to take Jesus at His word when He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5)

We must acknowledge Him as the Source of all we need.
We must constantly draw our Sustenance from Him.

Take a few moments for an honest assessment of whether you look to the Lord as the Source and Sustenance of all you need to make an eternal difference in the workplace.

How do you begin your workday? … rushing around trying to get ready and out the door on time? … or, sitting at the feet of Jesus, even if for but a brief encounter (Lk. 10:38-42)?

How do you handle the stress and frustration of the day? … flustered, fretting, and fuming? … or, casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7)?

How do you react to inconsiderate co-workers, unreasonable customers, or exasperating bosses? … annoyed, gossiping, and vindictive … or, relying on the Holy Spirit to develop within you the Christ-like traits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23)?

With God’s help, it is possible to make an eternal difference!

For More Help: Labor Day and the Workplace Ministry Resources

Life in Christ Jesus

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

Have you ever reflected on what life in Christ Jesus really means? What does it do for us here and now? Trusting in Jesus as our Savior is more than a means to get to heaven. It affects us in our daily lives not just our eternal destiny.

What Life in Christ Jesus Leads To Right Now

Life in Christ Seated with Him in the Heavenly Realms
Take some time to reflect on Ephesians 2:6 and you’ll discover four realities we have in Christ that will make a huge difference in our lives right now.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … (Eph. 2:6)

Power – “And God raised us up with Christ”

Jesus conquered sin and death through His death and resurrection. Being raised with Him suggests His power for us to live victorious now because of His grace toward us.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. (Eph. 2:4-5)

His was a physical resurrection and ours is spiritual with the physical yet to come. Because of His resurrection power, we can live from a place of newness, not bound by our old sin nature. (Read: Col. 3:1-14)

Also Read:

Peace – “and seated us with Him”

To be able to sit down with our Lord Jesus denotes the fellowship we can enjoy with Him. That’s a place of rest and security. Being in His presence leads to peace (1 Jn. 3:19).

Also Read:

Too Hard to Make It Through Life Without Peace (follow related posts for this 5 part series)

Perspective – “in the heavenly realms”

In Jesus we have a new citizenship, in heaven (Phil. 3:20). When we look at life from our position in the heavenly places, we gain a perspective that enables us to rise above whatever may come our way in this life.

Also Read:

Purpose – “in Christ Jesus”

As the Apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). To live for Christ is about more than just doing what Jesus would do but becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). This is God’s objective for us “in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). We are a demonstration of His grace.

Also Read:

Telling Our Stories

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

What do you know about Abraham, Moses, King David, the Apostle Paul, and so many other Bible characters? Even more importantly, what do their stories teach you about the God who worked in and through their lives? In telling our stories, it’s important we not only communicate the details of our experiences but even more importantly that we point people to the God who knew us before we were even born and who has ordained all our days (Ps. 139:13-16).

What’s Important in Telling Our Stories

Whether we’re telling the story of our lives leading to our salvation or testifying about what God has done since then, we need to remember some important elements.

1) Accuracy

Let’s be careful not add to or to sensationalize our story so as to make it more exciting. God is fully capable of using the truth of our stories to move in people’s hearts. God uses what might seem foolish, weak, or lowly to us to confound the wise (1 Cor. 1:25-31) so let’s tell our stories the way they happened and let God use it as He will.

2) Enthusiasm

Why should others care about your story if it doesn’t even appear to move you? — “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Rom. 12:11)

3) God-centered Focus

Include personal details but keep pointing back to “God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Phil. 2:13). Perhaps you have a story of God’s grace or of His faithfulness. Maybe the way your story unfolds points to God’s wisdom or power at work. When you keep the focus of your story on God, people begin to encounter a great God worthy to be praised, worthy of their trust.

We have stories to tell of a God who not only worked in the past as recounted in Scripture but still changes lives today. These are stories worth telling.

Have you shared one of His stories lately?

Caught Up in the Mundane Things of Life?

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Oh, the mundane things of life! At home we must do cleaning, lawn care, pay bills, etc. In the church we must concern ourselves with record keeping, finances, safety issues, scheduling, etc. We might wish we could spend that time doing activities of more eternal value. But wait … is it God’s intent for us to compartmentalize life? Doesn’t all of our time belong to Him? Shouldn’t who we are in Christ affect all that we do?

If Caught Up in the Mundane Things of Life, Stop Compartmentalizing

Think about the purpose we’d have if we made more of a conscientious effort to run all of what we do, even that which seems mundane, through the grid of who we are in Christ and His purposes, design, and mission for the Church.
Do Even Mundane Things in Jesus' Name

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)

Think about the perspective we’d have if we looked at all of life from our position with Christ in the heavenlies.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6)

Think about the power we’d have for all of life if we applied Jesus’ words about abiding, or remaining, in Him to all areas of life.

If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn. 15:5)

What Happens When We Don’t Compartmentalize Life

Perhaps if we approached what we view as the mundane things of life through our spiritual eyes we wouldn’t find ourselves fighting over these issues. So many homes and churches are broken apart because we push our own agendas in the mundane things of life rather than seeking first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33).

Maybe we’d bear more spiritual fruit if we looked to Christ for strength and sustenance in all we do rather than just for what seems like obvious ministry opportunities (Jn. 15:4-5). Some of the best divine appointments can come when we least expect them.

When we stop compartmentalizing, it takes our lives, and churches, to a new level. We begin to understand that we can reflect Christ at all times in everything we do, even the mundane. Our light shine at all times and God is glorified (Matt. 5:14-16).

Salty Christians

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Living as Christians in this world is about who we are as Christ followers. Jesus said, “You ARE the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). But, only salt that maintains its saltiness will have the impact salt is intended to have. Hence, we must be salty Christians.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by man. (Matt. 5:13)

How to Be Salty Christians

To know how to be a salty Christian, the salt of the earth, first think about the uses of salt:

1) Salt seasons.

As we sprinkle God’s love on others around us, it’s like we’re inviting them to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). When we consistently live according to God’s grace, we make what we have to say more palatable. – Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col. 4:6)

2) Salt acts as a preserving agent.

As we hold to the infallible Word of Truth, living like “the pillar and foundation of the truth” His Church is to be (1 Tim. 3:15), we’re a reminder to the world around us that God’s Word remains whether they agree with it or not. Though people through the ages have sought to destroy God’s Word, it remains to this day (Matt. 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25).

3) Salt purifies and cleanses.

By living a life of integrity rather than selfish ambition, knowing that a better day is coming (1 Jn. 1:9; 3:2-3), we show the hope and healing that comes from being found in Christ. We show that salvation isn’t just a future reality but something that makes a difference here and now.

Results of Being the Salt of the Earth

Given enough salt, people tend to get thirsty. They want water, or something to drink. The kind of saltiness described above tends to produce a spiritual thirst in others for the Living Water (Jn. 4:10-14). So, let’s be salty Christians.