Discover the true purpose and power of prayer and how connection with God with strengthen your soul and spirit.

When we pray to God, it is easy to feel like it is not being heard.

The quiet whispers of our hearts can feel like they are not reaching God’s ears. However, looking at prayer and how God has answered, can encourage us in our prayer lives today.

Prayer serves more than one purpose.

The most typically-known function of prayer is to ask God for what we want and need. We do not need to feel the slightest bit ashamed of asking God for things. In fact, God instructs us in His Word to ask Him for what we want in John 14. Though, this is certainly not the only function of prayer.

Another well-known purpose of prayer is to give thanks. When God has done something for us or changed a circumstance for our good, we show our thanks to Him in prayer. This is very important. Jesus warns us through a parable to remember to be thankful to God (Luke 17:11-19).

However, prayer serves even more purposes than these two well-known functions.

Prayer is a way for us to remain focused on God and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. And this helps us to endure hardships and challenges that we face in day-to-day life. Prayer is a constant reminder that Christ is stronger than any difficulty we may face.

Since simple prayer can be a frequent reminder of God’s constant presence with us.

The wonderful thing about prayer for a Christian is that it is not a one-way process. Through prayer, we do not just talk to God. The fantastic news is that God also talks to us. In fact, Ecclesiastes 5 teaches us to not start our prayers with talking, but rather approach God to listen first.

The Bible is full of stories of prayer and instructions around prayer. Prayer is an integral part of Christian life. The Bible makes it clear that God hears our prayers. He wants us to pray to Him and that He indeed answers them. He may not always answer them in the way we want Him to. But we can be confident in is that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Right in the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with God and talked with Him. This is what the heart of prayer is – talking and being with God. When they tried to hide from Him because they were ashamed, He, in His love, found them. Even when they had to leave the garden because of their disobedience, He, in His grace, made clothes for them.

Noah was told through prayer to build a large boat and obeyed, even when it meant he would be mocked by his neighbours.

Hannah prayed for a child when it seemed impossible and God blessed her with six.

David, in prayer, expressed every emotion known in the Psalms.

Jonah cried out to God from inside the large fish and He rescued him.

In the New Testament, several people pray in their hearts, or directly to Jesus, and He answers them. Paul fills his letters with comments about prayer as a means of encouragement, connecting with God and lifting others up.

Even since biblical times, right up to now, there are countless stories of people praying to God and Him answering them. Some of these stories are on national and international levels, others show prayers being answered for entire villages, and some prayers involve God simply responding to the prayer of an individual. Whether on a macro or micro level, each and every prayer to God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, reaches Him and is valued by Him.

We serve an awesome God, Who is so mighty that He created every galaxy in the Universe, and is also so mighty that He hears and cares about every silent prayer that we whisper to Him from the depths of our hearts. Prayer is not about just asking God for what we need, and also not just about thanking Him for giving us what we asked for. It goes so very much deeper than that. It is about connecting with Him, sharing our hearts with Him, staying focused on Him and, probably most important, listening to Him. The history of the world shows the power and beauty of a life lived in prayer to God.

If you are interested in joining an organization with compassionate discipleship at the very center of all we do, check us out at Global Disciples Canada. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Dying to self and living under the Lordship of Christ is foundational for Christian discipleship. We can explore these foundational truths by exploring the following;

During His public ministry, people came to Jesus with many different motives—physical healing, deliverance, food.

Large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went, and many of them left Jesus as soon as their needs were met.

Every person who came to Jesus was not His disciple. 

But during His ministry, Jesus gave an open call and invitation to the crowd.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24.

Jesus made it very clear that to be a disciple, one has to make a deliberate decision to deny everything. There was no choice of returning to one’s old life. Even today, we have many believers in our churches but only very few disciples.

His final commission to His disciples was for His followers to go and make disciples.

If making disciples was the final Great Commission Jesus gave, He had to model the way.  Indeed, Jesus was in the process of making disciples in the three and a half years of His ministry.

As a result, He commissioned the disciples to go and make disciples as He did.

The whole life and ministry of Jesus was a model for us to become disciples of Jesus as we disciple others.

We live in a modern world where everything has a price tag. Customers look at the price and decide if they want to buy it or not. Jesus did not want to reduce the high price it cost to become His disciple. Healing, miracles, deliverances from the evil spirit, and feeding of the multitudes all were free miracles; and yet, He made it very clear that to be a disciple would be an expensive decision. He even asked His followers to count the cost before they even began the journey (Luke 14:25-33). 

The following is a small list of requirements needed to become a disciple of Jesus taken from Luke 9:23 and Luke 14:25-33.

No one can become a disciple of Jesus by accident. That is why we are advised to sit down and estimate the total cost (Luke 14:28) and consider the ability (Luke 14:31) before we even make a decision to start.

Let us look at three individuals who failed the basic test of following Jesus (Luke 9:57-62).  Each of us will face numerous opportunities to turn back from our call to be a disciple. The three anonymous men in this story permitted something else to come into their lives that kept them from following Jesus (Matthew 8:21-22; 1 Kings 19:20; 2 Timothy 4:10).

said, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  But Christ’s proposal to follow Him was too difficult for this man because, if one follows Christ, that one may not have a comfortable life and may have to sacrifice a home and shelter in this world. The love of money and the comforts of this present world can be a hindrance to discipleship.

..even though he had a half-mind to follow Christ, gave first priority to his own circumstances and needs. He answered Christ, “Lord let me first go and bury my father” But the Bible says “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The phrase, “me first,” reflects the negative response toward the conditions of discipleship. How can we become disciples of Jesus if our first preference is something other than Christ?

..was like the first man who volunteered to follow Christ, but he resembled the second man in that he used those contradictory words “Lord… my family first….” He wanted to be a disciple of Jesus, but the family was the most important thing in this man’s decision-making. Though his question seems reasonable, Christ looked into his heart and saw that he was not willing to lose his worldly relationships for the sake of discipleship.

These three men failed the basic test of discipleship. There were three various matters that withheld them from following Christ. The love of earthly comfort was the hindrance of the first man, worry about livelihood was the hindrance of the second man, and the priority of family relationship was the hindrance for the third man.

If Jesus Himself did the recruitment today, how many of us would be eligible to meet His requirements and become His disciples?

There are costs as well as rewards in this ministry. Jesus warned us in a series of short parables to count the cost first, determine if we were willing, and then go ahead with the ministry of obedience if we were prepared (Luke 14:26-33). The committed disciples do not question the cost and its anticipated rewards (Philippians 3:13-14). True disciples have already settled the issue of the cost of discipleship and are willing to do whatever the Lord wants them to do; this makes it much easier to press forward toward the goal of pleasing Christ as the Apostle Paul did.

But disciple-making is not very easy. It will cost everything—our whole lives (Luke 9:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:8).  The last and final reward of making disciples is Christ’s approval, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21-23) There can be no greater reward than hearing the Almighty God, the Sovereign of the universe, saying to you, “Well done!”

Let’s take time to calculate how much it costs us to be disciples of Jesus and make a commitment to be committed disciples of Jesus who will go make disciples until everyone gets an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus Christ.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Dying to self and living under the Lordship of Christ is foundational for Christian discipleship. We can explore these foundational truths by exploring the following;

There is a physical death that is very easy for us as humans to understand. Then there is spiritual death which is a separation from God and which happens to all human beings because of sin. There is also what is called eternal death, or second death, which is hell. And there are many other situations where people use terms like clinically dead, emotionally dead, memory dead, etc. Death is the end of the road!

The power and mystery of death to self is evident in a story of a couple that Oprah once interviewed. It was a second marriage for the husband and wife, and the wife said what a wonderful husband he was and that she never knew a man like this existed.

Oprah asked the husband what he did to make his wife so happy and he said, “I died to myself.” Oprah did not understand what he meant and questioned something to the effect of: “You died? How could you die, you’re still here?”

The husband tried to explain, but Oprah didn’t understand.

Jesus said to those who followed Him, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me…” (Luke 9:23-25).

This Christian couple understood this scripture. And it is evident that God thinks this is an important concept because it is repeated in Matthew 16:24-26 and Mark 8:34-36.

There once was a story of a man who wanted to have a unique pet that nobody else had.

As he was walking one day, he saw many piglets playing in the dirty water along with their mother. He made up his mind he would have a piglet as his pet. He took one piglet home, washed it, and gave it delicious meals, love, and care. They became good friends. One day, he went for a morning walk with his new pet, and he enjoyed his walk because people were looking at him and his pet and asking him questions about it. As he went along, the pig saw other pigs playing in the dirt, and the pig forced itself from his hands and jumped into the dirty pit to play with the rest.

The owner of the pig was upset. He took the pig back, and washed, cleaned, and trained it. But after a few days, the same thing happened when he went for a walk again with the pet. He finally got confused and decided to leave his pig. He shared his dilemma with his friend who was a veterinarian. The friend took the pig to his clinic where he performed surgery to remove the heart of the pig and replace it with the heart of a sheep.

After the healing process was complete, the owner took the pig back to his home.

The next day, he took the pig for a walk again, and, as soon as it heard the sound of the other pigs playing in the dirt, it pushed itself from the owner, ready to jump into the dirt. But just before jumping, it stopped and moved slowly backward. It tried to jump into the dirt again, but again it stopped as if something was pulling it back.

The owner was surprised to see the transformation in his pet.

We experience similar situations where the heart tells us no to the dirt and the body tells us yes to the dirt.

Our lives are similar to this piglet.

We are old, sinful people who want to continue doing sinful things. But the spirit in us tells us to do what the Spirit of God wants us to do as children of God. We can make the decision to obey or not obey the Spirit of God that is at work in us. If we decide to obey the Spirit of God, we are making a decision to die to our own selfish desires. God wants us to live lives that will show forth the qualities of our master, the Lord Jesus Christ. As born-again sinners, Jesus is calling us to live our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship is a call to die to self to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ on a daily basis.

Being obedient to this call enables us to say “no” to our wills, our wishes, our desires, our hopes—and to say “yes” to His will for His glory.

It also enables us to fully surrender to Him our lives and everything He has entrusted to us, accepting our role as stewards. When we choose to obey His will, He uses us in a special way to make us a blessing for many who are in need of Him. We need to let His life consume and control our lives as we seek to imitate Him as His disciples (Romans 8:29).

Am I willing to pay the price of being a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Do I live as a disciple who dies to self on a daily basis?

What are some of the hindrances and the ways to overcome them?

Am I operating as an owner or a steward of my life and all the possessions God has entrusted to me? Have I really transferred everything to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

What are some of the obstacles that stop me from being obedient to Christ and keep me from enjoying the fullness of life?

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

A seed is only a small beginning, a little thing filled with potential life. Seed Funds are also small beginnings yet with the potential to affect great change. Through Global Disciples, Seed Funds for discipleship-mission programs provide resources for the Body of Christ to multiply new life in new places.

What grows out of our Seed Funds?

Let’s take a look at one report from Aloys, director of a training program in Burundi.

He trained 25 students to be disciples of Jesus Christ who can disciple others, evangelize and plant churches.

As part of their training, the students were sent out in three teams for two months to evangelize to unreached people in provinces along the borders of Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

One team really put their back into it. They went to a community near the DRC and every morning went to work—digging ditches, making bricks, and picking up community “chores” the local authorities required people to do on Saturdays. Their willing work gave the team favor with the authorities and an open door to plant a church.

Missionary Team 2 took an 8-hour walk to reach their destination. No vehicles, not even motorcycles, can travel the roads to this community, still recovering from the impact of Rwanda’s war which ended in 2005. Some NGOs came for community development, but not the Church. Through teaching and evangelism, this team established a church in a month.

The third team, near Tanzania, started three new fellowships— two among family groups, and one in a hospital. The local administration welcomed them when one of the team members demonstrated what he offered with a small business, thanks to his Small Business Development training.

Director Aloys reported, “My joy is that each team planted a church and we got a leader for every church from our [own] missionaries.” Twenty-five participants, two months, and five new fellowships of believers in communities previously with little Christian witness.

Never underestimate the power of a seed.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Are you growing day by day into a deeper, all-encompassing, more consistent, connected, and Jesus centred relationship? Jesus promised us that we would be with us always. This blog asks the question how can we pursue intimacy with Jesus in our daily lives?

However difficult it is to remain continually open to Jesus, it is vital that this relationship involves a constantly renewed, up-to-date experience with our Lord. This bond or connection is more than an intellectual thing. It’s not merely an understanding of Jesus and our faith – it’s a relationship.

It is a constant temptation for us as Christ-followers to substitute thinking about Jesus for actually pursuing a real-life, in-the-moment relationship with Jesus. And whilst it may be because relating with Jesus and being attentive and responsive to the Holy Spirit requires time. It needs to be intentional. And living in a daily relationship with the Lord of the universe can be risky, unsettling, and even demanding.

It is a whole lot easier and less costly to think than to do. But it’s simply not enough to follow the teachings of Jesus or a religious code that flowed out of his life. In fact, the absence of a personal,  covenant relationship with Jesus results in a religion other than the one our Lord started. Even if it takes the form of the Christian faith, it will lack the reality of it.

The Apostle Paul warns us of the danger of going through the motions, but lacks the relationship in 2 Timothy 3:5, “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

That’s why discipleship is foundational to Christianity and the mission that has been entrusted to us. If we in the global Body of Christ fail to be disciples who make disciples, the whole movement of the Church will falter and cease to multiply. Discipleship requires a direct relationship with Jesus Christ.

It’s not enough for us to be making ‘converts’ or ‘church-goers.’ We are called to equip disciples who will make disciples who will make disciples… This points us again to the importance of our core value as Jesus followers of Intimacy with Jesus. We cannot with integrity equip others to be and do what we are not being and doing.

Discipling others is a life-on-life activity. Jesus’ approach to discipling was not simply transmitting information or developing a program.

Discipling in the way of Jesus always is about a deeply personal process of being drawn into becoming more like the image and character of Jesus. This is the transformation we are all called to. And it’s the journey we are all called to lead others into.

As Christ-followers we will discover that on this journey to a deeper and more intimate relationship with our Lord there will be joy, peace, and hope that offset the challenges and the risks we face.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “our light momentary affliction” prepares for us “an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” (2 Corinthians 4:17). So, let’s all keep pursuing intimacy with Jesus!

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

When Jesus sent His disciples out on their first assignment, He gave them power and authority (Luke 9:1-6).

He still does, as we see so often in testimonies from the discipleship-mission training programs.

A director in West Bengal, India, reported, “We had 18 who took the training and we were filled with the power of God. We went to 30 villages with the Gospel, visited many homes and shared the Gospel with many people. The Lord did His work.”

He recounts this demonstration of God’s power. After preaching in one village, several men asked to speak with the team. They took them to the home of a 13-year old boy who’d never been able to feed himself. He survived because others spoon-fed him.

The church planters were asked to pray for the boy, and they encouraged the men to join them, praying and fasting for three days. God healed the boy and he was soon in school. As a result, “when we go to the school, the teachers allow us to share the Word. Five families came to Christ in that village and we baptized them.”

Other recent reports include children and students delivered from demons, healing from illness for which doctors had no answer, and always God’s mighty hand opening the door to draw people to Himself.

A director from North East India said of their training, “For the first few days the participants were not very serious… but as we taught, the Holy Spirit started moving and preparing their hearts. Some were convicted, repented of their sins and recommitted their lives to God. Towards the end, it was so powerful the way God was moving. They didn’t want to leave; they wanted to stay and learn more.”

As it was for Jesus’ first disciples, this power begins in our relationship with Him and the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Some people approach their spiritual beliefs as a significant part of their lives.

They have sacred times, places, and actions dedicated to adhering to their beliefs. However, often these observances are done apart from what is done in their everyday life. Disciples of Christ are called, rather, to include their passion for God in daily life. More than that, they are called to include their beliefs in every aspect of their lives.

The term “Christians” did not originate from Jesus’ disciples in the early church but from others who identified followers of Christ as literally “little anointed ones” in Greek because they displayed Christ-like qualities.

Jesus identified Himself as the “Messiah” or the “Anointed One.” He actively preached about God’s kingdom and demonstrated God’s love and power everywhere He went. As the disciples walked in the mandate of the Lord to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) they, in turn, also displayed God’s power through their daily travels and interactions.

The identification, then, was birthed out of the lifestyle that believers displayed. Discipleship is the foundation of that lifestyle. It’s at the core of who they are and their mission from the Lord.

Discipleship is not limited to the new believers. It is actually a continuous process that spans throughout the lifetime of a believer. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and we are expected to follow the example the Lord Jesus set for us. 

Therefore, Christian discipleship is not just for the new believers but for all Christians who have accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord. By becoming a disciple, we can be sure that believers won’t fall through the cracks, becoming complacent with their faith and without purpose. Living as a focused disciple helps a Christian to stay focused on the race set before them (Hebrews 12:1).

So let’s examine some of the reasons why Discipleship is so important:

As a disciple, it is important to learn sound doctrine. By knowing exactly what the Scriptures say and how they are fulfilled in the life of Christ, a believer can easily identify incorrect interpretations of the Bible and cling to the truth. In the book of Titus, Paul repeatedly instructs Titus to know and teach sound doctrine. He also urges Titus to appoint elders who are firm in the right doctrine (Titus 1:9).

We all make mistakes sometimes, especially when we’re just starting out, so it’s essential to have someone who is more thoroughly versed in the faith, showing the correct teachings of Christ.

Discipleship is an essential element of Christianity. By learning to be a disciple, a believer can work out where they fit in the Body of Christ.

The Bible encourages Christians to develop as individuals and learn what their natural talents and abilities are. However, the goal is not for disciples to remain inward-focused, but to work together with other believers as a part of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).

If a church only focuses on a Sunday message from the pulpit to teach the Gospel and does not implement ways for individuals to learn from experienced Christians, then the church becomes stagnant and irrelevant to a world that needs a Savior.

Discipleship is an essential part of the development of a Christian, beginning with the basics and introducing the new believer to deeper things (Hebrews 5:12-14). It’s one thing to hear the truth from the pastor, but it’s another thing entirely to have others holding you accountable, encouraging you to press on, and walking through life with you.

Furthermore, discipleship helps deepen and grow your faith in Christ as you follow the example
of those who have already walked through the things, you’re sure to face.

From the very beginning of the Bible, we can see that discipleship is key to the Christian faith (Genesis 1:28). Our calling is to make disciples who can emulate Him so that they can then make more disciples. We are supposed to be imitators and followers of Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Imitating God isn’t about looking like Him, talking like Him, or imitating every aspect of His personality. Instead, it’s about living a life that reflects His character.

Contact us at Global Disciples to learn more about the Global Disciples Approach. We hope to partner with you in God’s mission soon.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

The word gospel literally means Good News.

In the New Testament, when the apostles write about the gospel, they often add ‘of Jesus Christ’.

In other words, the story of Jesus is good news, not bad news. This is important to keep in mind when ministering to others and also reading the Bible: the story of Jesus Christ is good news, not bad news.

Jesus came to save us from our sins (John 3:17).

The four Gospels are collectively the story of Jesus’ rescue mission. Below is a basic guide to help you get started reading this good news.

The purpose of the Gospels is to lay out how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the coming Messiah in the Old Testament. It is the central event of all creation. After Adam and Eve allowed sin to enter the world, Jesus came to Earth to set us free from that condemnation. The Gospels show how that happens.

There are four Gospels in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Some other gospels have claimed to be discovered over the years, but the only accounts that have been proven to be true and accurate by respected biblical scholars are these four Gospels.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called the Synoptic Gospels because they are similar in content and structure. John is different in that it reveals a lot more of what was going on spiritually when Jesus walked the Earth, specifically his deity.

Matthew was written to show that Jesus is the Messiah. Mark depicts Jesus as the Suffering Servant. Luke was written to show that Jesus is the Savior of all people, while John showed how Jesus is the Son of God. All of these focuses collectively give us a deeper understanding of who Jesus is, thus making them all important inclusions in the Bible.

The Gospels were written at different times. Matthew was written before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, but Mark was written during the persecution of Christians. Luke was penned after the destruction of the temple, and John was written after the other gospels. However, despite these differences, all four gospels were written within the first century after Jesus’ birth.

Matthew has more material about Jesus’ childhood than the other Gospels. Mark has the most material about Jesus’ miracles. Luke has a lot of material about Jesus’ teachings, but John has more material about Jesus’ identity than the other gospels. Again, these differences collectively deepen our understanding of Jesus Christ.

Many theologians recommend that a new Christian begin reading the Gospel of John. John’s writing flows well, is easy to understand, and helps you, as a new believer, understand who this Saviour is who has touched your heart.

If you want to follow the order of Jesus’ life, it is best to read the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke together, since they tell of the birth and childhood of Jesus. After Luke 2, in which Jesus appears as a twelve-year-old boy, there is a long gap until he is about 30 years old. All four Gospels tell of his public ministry from 30 to 33 years, death, and resurrection (highlighting the core necessity of these events to his intentions for coming to Earth).

Jesus only preached to the Jewish people. This is not because the Gospel was not meant for Gentiles. By contrast, Jesus actually did, on occasion, minister to Gentiles. The reason why he, in a public sense, only preached to Jews, is because God’s plan was to first bring the Good News to the traditional people of God, and then expand this invitation to all people of the world (as Jesus instructs his believers to do in the Great Commission).

Luke having great attention to detail, continued the story after Jesus’ resurrection in the Book of Acts, which follows the Book of John in the Bible. This book shows how the early church took Jesus’ instructions to them and spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.

One hiker can look at a mountain and see the forest. Another hiker can look at the same mountain on the other side and see the waterfall. A third hiker can see the dry, sandy part of the same mountain. Together, their different perspectives help us picture a 3D image of the mountain. In the same way, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give us different perspectives of the same amazing Saviour. Together, their combined accounts help us have a well-rounded understanding of Jesus.

Are you Christian Missions opportunities? Then check out Global Disciples Canada.

We are a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

We all go through times in our lives that can be hard and discouraging. The loss of a loved one or being a victim of a crime can be devastating. Losing your job, a relationship, or your home can damage your confidence in life. Here are some powerful bible verses and quotations to encourage you soul, no matter what you’re going through today!

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29

God’s word is powerful in making people feel stronger by reminding them that they can get through anything with God’s love. The Holy Spirit ministers to our souls when we read the Bible. These uplifting quotes are a great way to start your morning, and they can also guide your thoughts when you’re going through a hard time.

Keep these Bible verses close to your heart. They will keep you going through difficult times.

Faith in God is the certainty of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). It is what keeps us going when others would quit. Here are some Bible scriptures that emphasize the significance of faith and how powerful it can be.

Matthew 17:20
Our faith can move mountains.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Fear can be suffocating. It can leave you feeling paralyzed or unable to take the next step. By God’s grace, you can overcome the debilitating power of fear, as these verses show.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, or the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Joel 2:21
Do not fear, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!

There is no limit to how much God loves us and how powerful his love is. These inspiring quotations show us just how far it goes. Knowing that God loves us gives us hope, and the promise of a peaceful and joyous life to come is welcome news. These texts in the Bible reveal that God’s love for us is renewed daily.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 121:1-5
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is, but what is unseen is eternal.

Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

If you’re feeling down or hopeless, turning to God can give you a boost. When we connect with God, anything is possible, according to Mark and Matthew. His presence in everything that we undertake bolsters us.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man, it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.’

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’

What we’ve listed above is a collection of Bible verses that can help us stay strong during hard times. These may give you the inspiration or reminder to stay strong in your faith. Remember, God’s love will empower us to overcome anything we can face in this life.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. 

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

The Bible is the story of God’s redeeming work in human history.  The main focus is God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, designed to redeem us and all of creation. In fact, the life and teachings of Jesus are central to shaping our interpretation of passages that are difficult or not easily understood. So, biblical truth convicts us of sin, leads us to salvation, and teaches us how to follow Jesus in daily life.

We can explore biblical truth by understanding:

The Whole Bible is the Word of God.

It is helpful to allow the words of Jesus to guide our understanding of the rest of the story. In fact, the life and teachings of Jesus can shape our interpretation of passages that are difficult or not easily understood.  For instance, after the resurrection, two disciples were walking on the Road to Emmaus.  Jesus joined them and gave them a lesson on how to interpret His own death and resurrection.  He told them that the entire Old Testament had pointed to Him. Christ revealed that His teachings will help us interpret both the Old Testament and New Testament more accurately.

He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself”. – Luke 24:25-27

Here are some steps to follow as we attempt to interpret the Scriptures correctly through Christ:

One of the ways we can grow in our ability to interpret the Bible Is simple. Ask your self how did Jesus interpreted passages from the Old Testament?  You’ll find that many of His teachings are quotes from various Old Testament books.  Many of these are taken from the books of the Torah, the Psalms, and Isaiah.  Here are some good examples:

It is clear from the Book of Acts, that the apostles had a very high regard for God’s Word.  It was their conviction that if they preached the “Word of God” their message would be used by the Holy Spirit and it would have the power to convict and transform. This belief suggests that as the Word of God is preached, it extends the power and presence of the Kingdom of God.  In this way, the Gospel gains power in new regions of the world.  Note the following passages:

When we preach, it is possible for us to draw attention to ourselves rather than to the word of God? The goal of preaching is to testify about Jesus and for God to be glorified.

Does your preaching focus on Jesus, and does it allow the power of the Word of God to be released?

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!