“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18-20NLT).  ” Ephesians 5:18-20

One of the best parts of my current job is to welcome students from out of the country into school in Canada. 

Moving into a different place,  learning a different language, and navigating a new culture is a massive challenge.  Sometimes there are so many changes that students become stressed and homesick. 

A few years ago, I met a new student from Columbia who had just entered Canada.  Right from the beginning, I noticed something different about her that I could not put my finger on.  As she entered classes and began the new chapter in Canada.  I noticed that there was such a consistent joy in her life that she shared with everyone she met.  Later that year, she confirmed my suspicion that she was a follower of Jesus.  The joy, that was so obvious in her life, came from the Spirit of God living inside her.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul tells them to “be filled” not with wine but with the Holy Spirit. 

The contrast between these different kinds of fillings is important because, earlier in his letter, he mentions that we live in “evil days.” When people are discouraged, depressed or just having a bad day when they seek filling from different sources.

Drinking alcohol can make us feel carefree and lead to a great night of singing at the pub but it really doesn’t give lasting satisfaction. Others may attempt to use sex, food, shopping, fame, fitness, or fashion to numb the pain and difficulty of life or find satisfaction for their soul. 

The apostle commands followers of Jesus to be filled with the Spirit of God so that their souls have deep, long-lasting satisfaction in Him. The logical question then is, “How can we be filled by God’s Spirit?”

The answer that scripture gives us is incredibly simple and difficult–a deep reliance on the Spirit’s power.  

One alternative to a deep reliance on the Spirit’s power is a deep reliance on self.

The popular myth in our culture that, believing in yourself is all you need to navigate the valleys of your life, can easily slip into the matrix of our beliefs causing us to malfunction concerning God’s purpose for our lives and miss out on the true source of joy and power.

The life of Samson, in the book of Judges, beautifully illustrates the need for a deep reliance on the Spirit of God.  It also shows us how “believing in yourself” can grieve the Spirit of God and suspend His work in your life.  

The period of the Judges is one of the lowest points in Israel’s history.  Everyone was living in a way that seemed right to them (Judges 17:6) but very few of them were following God’s path. 

By the time we pick up Samson’s story in chapter 16, God has allowed the Philistines to conquer God’s people in hope that they will again follow Him…but they don’t.  God, in his mercy and patience, supplies judges (who were like warlords) that beat back their enemies for a time but they soon return to their old way of doing things.  Samson is one of the judges raised up by God to give relief to His people.  

Unlike some of the other judges, he is not a conventional military leader.  In fact, he does not lead an army at all. He is not even a team player. His life consists of several solo battles revolving around personal conflicts that have resulted from broken relationships with Philistine women. 

Samson’s dysfunctional relationships with Philistine women go badly in different ways but in each case, the end result is similar–violent, hand-to-hand combat with city guards and sometimes entire armies.   

Although Samson constantly disobeys his parents and lives by his own moral code, God graciously uses him for the good of His people. God’s gifting to Samson is super-human strength in battle. 

At one point, the Holy Spirit comes upon him and he kills 1000 soldiers with the jawbone of a donkey.  After this particular battle, Samson is so exhausted that he is near death.  He cries out to God for water and God miraculously provides him with water from a rock.  In this scene of the story, Samson is found relying on God as his provider but he soon grows proud, and that reliance changes into arrogance. 

Fast forwarding the story closer to the end (Judges 16:4), Samson falls in love with yet another Philistine woman named Delilah.  Seeking an opportunity to gain an advantage over Samson, the city leaders offer Delilah a huge sum of money to learn the secret of Samson’s strength.  Delilah uses her beauty and seductive powers to draw the secret out of Samson.  After lying to her several times, Samson finally tells her the truth.  

 So he [Samson] told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.” When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him (Judges 16:17-19).

What’s interesting at this point in this story is that, even though Samson says that his strength is connected to his Nazarite vow, his response shows that he doesn’t believe this.

“Then she called, ‘Samson, the Philistines are upon you!’ He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free’” (Judges 16:20).

Samson’s thoughts at this moment show us an attitude that grieves the heart and Spirit of God. Samson has become so self-reliant that he begins to take credit for God’s gifting and power in his life. The results are immediate and devastating.    

Samson’s super-human powers were tied to God’s purpose and plan for Samson but when he became overconfident in his own abilities, God withdraws.

The retreat of the Spirit leads to Samson’s defeat and humiliation.

“Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison” (Judges 16:21). 

This low point of Samson’s life illustrates a massive roadblock to being filled by God’s spirit, and self-reliance. Self-reliance is an attitude that says, “I can be who God has called me to be and do what God has purposed me to do without the help and power of the Holy Spirit”  If we are honest with ourselves, I think all of us can identify with this mindset, we have all bought into the lie of self-sufficiency to one degree or another.      

Notice that God makes a temporary departure in Samson’s life here and this is a serious consequence of taking credit for God’s work in our lives.

God sometimes presses the pause button on His work in our lives at times to draw us back to Himself.  It is not that God gives up on us or stops pursuing us.  However, His loving discipline is sometimes required to bring us back to a life of faith and dependence on the Spirit. 

Are you feeling distant from God because you once orbited your life around God but now find yourself adrift?  

Thankfully Samson’s story doesn’t leave us there, it also gives us hope for renewed fullness of the Spirit.

Blinded and weak, Samson waited in his prison cell.  As he waits, a new humility and reliance on God emerge.  In the last chapter of his life, we find Samson making a desperate plea to God to renew his power one last time. This prayer signals a re-acknowledgment of the true source of power in His life.  God is merciful to Samson and gives him one last victory over the Philistines. 

In this last chapter, Samson gives us a glimpse of Jesus, who relied perfectly on the Father and fulfilled God’s purpose for his life. Jesus perfectly kept in step with the Spirit of God throughout his life.  His life was full of the Spirit’s joy and power.  Knowing that God would require a sacrifice for our sins, Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins upon himself so that we could enjoy–new life, everlasting life, and the fullness of God’s spirit.   

God desires that you and I be filled with His Spirit, but in order to receive this filling, we must see Him as the only One who can generate true joy and power in our lives. Walk in step with God’s Spirit today so that you can fulfill His purpose for your life. 

Ask God to take your emptiness and replace it with his fullness.

Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit so that you experience His joy and power like never before.

Jordan Mayer – Global Disciples Canada Advocate & Prayer Supporter

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!

How to Pray and What to Pray for in Our Local Community

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the needs of our local community. Indeed, some acts of care take time, effort, and money. These resources are not always available for every need in our community.

The good news is that prayer, which is the most important resource that you can share with your community, is free and can be applied anywhere and at any time. Even if you travel all over the world, you can still pray for your local community.

The wonderful thing about living in the freedom of Christ is that there are no rules about when, where, or how to pray.

We can pray in our hearts in a busy shopping center. We can pray with our voices while diving underwater. Wherever we are, God hears us and our prayers for our local community can make a difference.

When we pray for our community, we ask God to intervene and work in the lives of the people who live there. We are asking him to meet their needs, both physical and spiritual.

There are many things we can pray for our local community. Here are some suggestions for how to pray for your community:

When we pray for the Holy Spirit to reach the hearts of others, He sends people and situations their way that helps to awaken their spirits toward seeing the truth in God’s character. Our prayers stand in the gap for nonbelievers, asking God not to be silent towards their unbelief but continue sending markers their way to hopefully guide them toward the truth. It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of God’s evangelizing work!

True compassion goes beyond just feeling sympathy, as it also includes the desire to take action to alleviate the suffering of others. When we are compassionate towards others, we create a more caring and supportive community. When we live in a compassionate community, we all benefit.

Compassion is at God’s heart, as shown in Matthew 5:4. Another good example is Psalm 103:8.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.

There is no single answer to addressing social issues in our local communities. However, one important step we can all take is to pray for those who are struggling. Ask God to change the hearts of those who are causing the problems, as well.

Prayer is not a magic wand that will fix all of the social issues in your community overnight. However, it is a powerful tool that can help to make a difference. If you are concerned about social issues in your community, start by praying for them. Prayer also helps us focus on what God is calling us to do in any given situation.

It’s no secret that prejudice exists in our world. Whether it’s based on race, religion, gender, or any other factor, it’s something that we all must deal with on a daily basis. Some experience such discrimination more in our local communities.

Make it a point to pray for zero prejudice toward others. This doesn’t mean that we should ignore the reality of discrimination, but rather that we should focus on promoting love and understanding in our communities, seeing the worth and value in every person. When the Holy Spirit reaches out to the hearts of those who are being discriminative towards others, they have the opportunity to see their own desperate need for Christ which helps them to not see themselves as better than those they are persecuting. 

Recent years have been notably difficult for many communities. We’ve seen division and turmoil all around the world. It’s easy to feel like things are falling apart. But even in the midst of all this, we can still find hope (Psalm 46:1).

One of the things that give optimism toward restoration and peace is the power of prayer.

Prayer is a special way for us to connect with God and ask for His help. And when we pray for our local community, we can see His hand at work.

When the whole world feels like it’s simply crumbling around us, it’s easy to give into despair. But hope is a powerful force, and it’s one that we should never give up on. Hope can be found in the smallest of things – a kind word from a stranger, a sunny day after a long period of rain, or a whispered prayer.

And when we have hope, we can share it with others. When we share hope, it has a ripple effect and can help to create a more positive community. Psalm 91 shares hope with us.  

Complexity is a part of life, and it’s especially prevalent in our local communities. There are many moving parts, and it’s tough to understand what to do or where to turn. But when we pray for wisdom, we can be confident that God will guide us.

The Lord will give us the wisdom we need to face the complexities of our community. That wisdom will enable us to know how to best love and serve our neighbors to ensure clarity among everyone.

When we think about the future, we often think about our children. We want them to have all the opportunities in the world, and we wish them to be healthy and happy. As parents, it’s our job to do everything we can to help our children succeed.

One good thing we can do for our children is to pray for them. When we pray for the development and health of our children, we ask God to bless and give them everything they need to thrive. It is very possible that our prayers lead God to set plans into place that will cause people to cross paths with our children later in life that will help them focus on Christ.

Prayer is a powerful tool that can bring about positive change in our communities. When we pray for fairness from local leaders and officials, we ask for God’s guidance and wisdom to help them make decisions in the best interests of everyone involved.

We live in a world that is often filled with conflict and injustice, but the Lord is a God of justice and righteousness. When we pray for fairness, we ask God to intervene on behalf of those who are being treated unfairly.

When a community as a whole turns to Jesus and dedicates every aspect of life to Him, we say that that community is experiencing revival. During revival, crime rates drop, suicides become basically nonexistent, and gross domestic product flourishes. People enjoy living together in the same community and actively care for each others’ needs. Pray for revival in your community!

There have been times when communities have actively prayed for the Lord’s blessing and the result has been huge increases in soil fertility and crops. The prayers of hearts broken for Jesus can literally bless the land! 

Prayer is an incredible tool that can help us to improve our local community. By praying for our community, we can ask for guidance and wisdom from God, and we can also intercede on behalf of others.

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 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!

The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). The Gospel is also the message we are to proclaim to the world (Matthew 28:19-20).

There are many ways to share the Gospel in today’s modern world. We can use technology, social media, and other platforms to reach people with the good news. We can also share the gospel through personal relationships and one-on-one conversations.

The most important thing is to be clear about the Gospel message and to be bold in sharing it. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it is our responsibility to share it with others.

The way Christians communicate God’s truth has changed greatly over the centuries, even as the message has never changed and remains as life-changing as it was for Peter, Paul, and Lydia.

Christians have always been creative in finding ways to share the good news. In the early church, Christians often communicated through stories. Jesus used parables to communicate his message, and the early Christians continued this tradition.

Jesus Christ preached the Gospel throughout his ministry on earth. He did this through his words and his actions. He taught the Gospel in his sermons, such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). He also showed the Gospel through his miracles. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the sorrowful.

Jesus also preached the Gospel through his death on the cross. He died in our place, taking the punishment that we deserve. His death shows us the great love of God.

As the church grew and became more institutionalized, sermons became the primary way to communicate God’s truth. This was partly due to the fact that the church became more formalized and partly because the average literacy rate was quite low. Sermons were a way to reach a large number of people with the message of the Gospel.

In the modern era, Christians have a wide variety of ways to communicate, including through books, movies, and the Internet. This has allowed Christians to reach a much wider audience with the message of the Gospel. Christians are no longer limited to communicating through sermons or stories; they can now use any medium that they think will be effective.

It’s been said that the Gospel is “good news in bad times.” And there’s no doubt that we live in some pretty bad times right now. We’re faced with a global health crisis, an economic downturn, and a lot of uncertainty about the future.

In the midst of all this, the Gospel is still good news. It’s still the message of hope that we need to hear. Jesus said that when we hear of bad things happening, we do not need to fear because he is with us (Luke 21:13-15).

So how can we share the Gospel in these times? Here are a few ideas.

Pray that God would open doors for you to share the Gospel. Pray for boldness and wisdom. And pray that people would be receptive to the message of hope that you have to offer.

The Gospel is not something that we force on people. It’s something that we share in the context of natural conversations.

So look for opportunities to bring up spiritual topics in casual conversation. Ask questions about what people believe and why they believe it. Listen more than you talk. And be prepared to share your own faith story when the time is right.

Your testimony is a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel. It’s a way of showing how the Gospel has changed your life and how it can change the lives of others.

So don’t be afraid to share your testimony with others. It’s a great way to start a conversation about faith.

Technology can be an excellent tool for sharing the Gospel. There are all sorts of ways to use technology to reach people with the good news.

You can use social media to share your faith story or the testimonies of others. You can create gospel-centered content to share on your blog or website. You can even use technology to connect with people one-on-one and have gospel conversations.

Technology has an incredible ability to reach a huge amount of people of many different cultures all around the world. A word of caution though: While modern technology allows for even more personal, interactive discussions than older technologies, it will never be able to replace the rewarding experience of having a friend in the same room with you. We can have a deep, meaningful conversation with someone on the other side of the world, but that person will not be able to put a hand on your shoulder or share your meal with you. Technology can greatly enhance evangelism; however it cannot replace life on life discipleship.

Sharing the Gospel is not a quick or easy process. It takes time, patience, and perseverance.

So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Trust that God is at work, even when it’s not always apparent. And keep praying, keep sharing, and keep trusting that God will use your efforts for his glory.

The Christian Gospel message is an eternal message relevant to today’s world.

It is a message of hope, love, and forgiveness. It is a message that can change lives. It is evident that to share God’s Gospel in today’s modern world; we need to be creative and use various platforms and mediums.

We also need to be diligent in our efforts as Christ Ambassadors and willing to put in the extra work to ensure that our message reaches as many people as possible.

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 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 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!

As is often said, Christianity starts at home.

Of all the people that you come into contact with, your own children and spouse are those that you have the closest connection with and have the potential to have the greatest impact on.

Living with people who you call family gives you one of the best ministry opportunities to live out your authentic faith, showing them God’s love and care in a profound way.

Here are some ways to encourage your family to stay close to God.

God hears every prayer, even those prayers prayed silently in the depths of our hearts. He hears us when we walk and pray. He hears us when we pray to him in the middle of a busy crowd, or a business meeting. There is nowhere that we can go that God is not able to hear our prayers. 

Having individual prayer time is crucial for maintaining a healthy prayer life. However, praying corporately with our family can also be a wonderful experience that builds deep, lasting memories for our children and other loved ones that can encourage them throughout their lives.

Praying together can be a great way to model our faith to our children. By praying together as a family, we can show our kids that faith is an important part of our lives and that it is something that we take seriously.

Praying together as a family can help to foster a sense of unity in a shared love for the Lord. This unity can also be nurtured through going as a family to church.

When it comes to corporate worship, there is no substitute for going to church together. Church provides a community of believers who support and encourage us in our faith journey. Additionally, the church allows us to hear God’s Word preached and taught and to share in communion.

There is something special about worshiping God together with other believers. It is an opportunity to lay our burdens down at the feet of Jesus (Matthew 11:28) and to receive his strength and peace. As we sing praises to God and hear his Word, our hearts are filled with hope and joy.

Going to church together is also a great way to grow closer to each other as a family. It can be a time to pray, learn, and serve together. When we make church a priority in our relationship, it can help to keep our relationship focused on God.

Mealtimes are an excellent opportunity to connect with God as a family. By spending mealtimes together, we can create an environment where we can talk about our day, share our joys and concerns, and pray together. This time spent together can help us to feel closer to God and to each other.

When we’re sharing a meal, we’re naturally more present with each other. We’re not distracted by work, technology, or other things that can often pull our attention away from the people we’re with. This can create a deeper connection with the people we’re sharing the meal with and help us be more present with God.

Sharing meals also allows us to slow down and enjoy the moment. This can help us to appreciate the food we’re eating, the company we’re with, and the blessings we have in our lives.

Consider setting an extra place at the table at every meal you enjoy with your family, just as a reminder that Jesus is with you at that meal too. This empty chair will not be for Jesus to occupy, but will rather simply be a constant visual reminder for you and your family that he is right there with you, in your hearts and, since you are eating together in his name, he is there amongst you (Matthew 18:20).

One of the best ways to become closer to God is to read the Bible together as a family. By reading the Bible together, you and your family can learn about God’s love for us, His plans for our lives, and how to follow His will.

Reading the Bible together can also help to strengthen your family bonds. As you discuss what you have read and learned together, you will be able to understand each other’s perspectives better and build a deeper level of trust and communication.

If you are unsure where to start, many resources are available to help you. You can find Bible reading plans online, in Christian bookstores, or in the back of many Bibles. Start by picking a plan that fits your family’s schedule and interests, then stick to it. You may also consider using a devotional guide to help you discuss the Bible passage for that day.

When we serve others, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and model our behavior after His. When we serve others, we also open our hearts to God and allow Him to work through us.

There are many ways to serve others as a family. You can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food bank. You can collect items for a local shelter. You can visit people in the hospital or nursing home. You can write letters to soldiers or veterans. You can participate in a local service project. You can get involved with the life of your neighbors. The possibilities are endless!

When you serve others together as a family, you will become closer to God and to each other. You will learn more about God’s love for all people and be inspired to live out your faith in your daily life.

Serving others as a family creates happy memories for all of you, as you can spend many times talking with each other about the amazing experiences you had as you were God’s hands and feet to those who need it most. This can help you feel closer to each other and closer to God

Organizing a weekly family night can be a great way to become closer to God as a family. It can be a time for you to gather together and pray, read the Bible, or just spend time talking about your faith. It can also be a time to have some fun together and bond as a family.

To start, choose a day and time that works for everyone in the family. You may want to pick a day that everyone is typically free, such as a Friday or Saturday night. Then, choose an activity that everyone will enjoy. This could be simple: playing games together, watching a movie, or going out for ice cream.

If you’re looking for ways to bring your family closer together and become closer to God, consider creating new traditions as a family.

One tradition you might want to start is attending a weekly Bible study or prayer group together. This can help you learn more about your faith and grow closer to God as a family. You can also use this time to bond with your children and teach them about your beliefs.

Whatever traditions you decide to start, make sure they are something that your whole family can enjoy and that will help you grow closer to God.

While individual time with God is very important, meeting with God as a family is also essential. As family members, you can help each other remain focused on Christ.

Helping your family become closer to God is a wonderful experience. It can help improve communication and deepen your relationship with your loved ones. Additionally, it can provide opportunities for personal growth, spiritual enrichment, and compassionate discipleship.

By taking the time to pray together, read the Bible, and serve others together, you can help your family grow closer to God and experience all the benefits that come with it.

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 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!

As a parent, you have to deal with a lot of stress, overwhelming emotions, and difficult callings – but this is what makes parenting exciting and beautiful.

Every child is unique, carefully put together by God in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-18), and raising them is a blessing in itself. God has given parents the responsibility to nurture their children to the best of their abilities and disciple them in the ways of Jesus.

Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
– Proverbs 22:6

It is important to remember that when you disciple your family, God is with you every step of the way.

“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
– Isaiah 54:13

He helps us to know what to say to our children, how to say it, and how to treat them since he knows them better than any of us ever will.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
– 3 John 1:4

Whether you are a new parent or you have older kids, if you want to start family discipleship here are 10 things you should know for their spiritual upbringing and establishing a flourishing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Standing on top of a mountain after being resurrected, Jesus Christ tells his followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). 

This scripture in Matthew 28 is referred to as the Great Commission—-the way that Christ’s message has to be spread by the Christian church until Christ returns.

In the call to make disciples everywhere and to teach Christ’s commandments entirely, we are sure that this obligation also applies to those disciples we will make in our homes. To lead your household on this spiritual journey is a job commissioned by God, and it would be negligence to forsake it.

“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.”
– Proverbs 29:17

As a Christian parent, family discipleship is a vital component of your role when it comes to parenting responsibilities. From housing, clothing, and feeding to affection, play, and education you have to look after many aspects of your family. But what benefit will it be if your children do not have the knowledge of their Savior?

Discipling your family is important in every aspect because spiritual growth will help them move forward with a foundation that provides them with moral discipline and reasoning to understand life. 

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”
– Proverbs 1:8-9

The best family discipleship practice is to include it constantly in your regular activities. You can do so by aligning your talks and guidance with your family’s normal rhythm. The moments in which your family already interacts during the day can be used to talk about God’s Word and to live it out.

It is the need of the hour to raise children who can question the motives of secular culture. Today’s children need to not only be taught what is true but how to distinguish it from what is false and how to boldly stand up against a torrent of opinions to the contrary.

As a parent, you might want to raise a child that is admired by everyone. But the command of God is to raise a family that remains true to the message and is ready to be hated for following Christ and upholding the truth.

If you have fulfilled your responsibility to disciple your children and preached to them the message of following Christ, you are no longer responsible for their salvation. It is just as true for your child as it is for you that “by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). 

Remember that coming on the righteous path is a blessing that can only be granted by God.

Although parents are the most influential figures in a child’s life and the home is the principal place for discipleship, parents are not the only entity to disciple a child. The church can play an important part in supporting a family’s discipleship. 

The best version of family discipleship involves an entire community of believers working in concert with the parents in spiritually raising children.

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
– Proverbs 17:6

It is also important to remember that teaching your family about the commandments of Christ includes the importance of sticking to the pure truth of the gospel, not letting false interpretations distort the truth for your family. For indeed, the truth will set you free (John 8:32). You are equipping your family with a lens by which to see the world as it truly is, broken and in desperate need of a Savior.

By portraying God as angry at your children when they commit wrongdoings and happy when they accomplish what you want, you deprive them of the beauty of true grace that always loves us better than we deserve and calls us to obey out of love and joy rather than fear or coercion.

Discipleship should never be used to intimidate or threaten your family into obeying what you want. Family discipleship pleads with the Lord for heart transformation, and that will lead, consequently, to a heart that delights in obedience to the Lord.

Family discipleship is an important and significant endeavor, but no one can promise that it will be simple.

There are times when children of all ages will resist instructions from their parents. Therefore proper spiritual leadership of a family requires righteously stubborn persistence and gentle patience. 

It is inevitable that we will make mistakes as parents, but may it never be the biggest mistake that we make giving up on God’s call to lead our families simply because it is not easy.

If you are reading this, it is assumed you follow the Lord our Savior, Jesus Christ.

If He is for you, tell me, who can possibly be against you? (Romans 8:31). No one wins against your God. This family and children he has entrusted to you with are his, and it is no accident that he has put them in your care. 

Even though we work on our salvation with great caution and sobriety, we are sure and confident that the Lord who began faith in our hearts can do the same in the lives of our dearest children.

Even with all the resistance, flaws, and failures along the way, there is no lack of hope for what the one true God who made the universe can do in the hearts of those who share his word.

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 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!

Isaiah 61 gives us an amazing depiction of God’s heart. Reading this should stir us to act out his love for the most heartbroken and lost in our communities. 

God is always drawn to the least among us

Throughout the Bible, we can see God giving His attention to the humble and afflicted. From Moses, who could not talk properly, to Gideon who was the least of his tribe, key figures such as David, Peter, and Mary were used even though they were the least. Even the entire nation of Israel was a heavily persecuted nation, yet God called it His chosen people.

These examples and more echo clearly the sentiments in Isaiah 61. If we truly want to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we will then focus our attention on what He is focused on: the brokenhearted, humble, and afflicted. To continue in His good work is to get to the core of His love. 

Selfless love

The reason why God is drawn to the weakest is because that is the way to show true selfless love. When you love someone who has no way to repay you, the love you show them is a love that seeks nothing in return. There is no distraction of wondering when they will return the favor, and there is a special sweetness that comes with the freedom of knowing that they cannot do anything for you in return and your gesture to them is simply a way of blessing them.

Human love almost always seeks something in return. Romantic partners receive love back from each other. Friends benefit from having similar hobbies and interests. Children love their parents, often resulting in their parents giving them financial aid.

God shows a higher love than that, In turn, he invites us to also show that higher love. That love is called agape, and it is a love that loves simply because it is capable of loving. It is a love that continuously gives and expects nothing in return. It is this love that led Jesus to the cross and that is continually offered to us all by our Heavenly Father. It is the perfect love from the perfect One.

Selfless love can only come from Him 

It is impossible for us to show this selfless love to the afflicted out of our own deciding. We are prone to always find a payoff from showing love. For the love we show to truly be selfless, it needs to have Christ as the center. We can only discover His agape for the brokenhearted when we realize He has agape for us. When we each take a personal moment to acknowledge His love, thank Him for it and embrace it, He fills us with a love we never could have known, and, by His grace, can start to show this selfless love for others.

God’s promises

In Isaiah 61, God gives us some powerful and very specific promises that can fill us with hope. These promises center around favor and comfort. They focus on restoration and justice. Through the detailed description of these promises, God makes it clear that He will set right what is wrong.

There are two sides to this. First, things are not as they should be. If they were, God would not need to promise this restoration and justice. Second, He is the one who makes things as they should be. We step out in faith to fulfill the great commission, but at the end of the day, He is the one who fixes the situations we encounter.

How to live out Isaiah 61

The best way for us to start living out Isaiah 61 is to start turning our attention to who is identified in the chapter. In our daily life, we should actively ask ourselves who around us is mourning and brokenhearted. Who’s life is in ruins, and who’s in need of justice? These are the people we need to reach out to.

When we reach out to them, you may wonder what we say to them. Often there are no words that we can say that will make their circumstances easier. But what we can share with them are the promises God gives us in Isaiah 61. Often desperate people just need hope, something to cling to and help them not give up. Sharing God’s promises can give them this strength because the truth of God pierces the depths of our souls and awakens our hope if we allow Him to awaken us inside. People in dire situations often embrace this offered hope with open arms.

Conclusion

Serving the broken-hearted is the greatest service we can experience. Serving them does not need to be daunting. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our simple gestures can be used by our God to pour selfless love and hope into their souls and refresh their resolve to keep going, since God carries us through it all.

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 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 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!

Worship always gets elevated with music. Whether we can sing in tune or not, we can all benefit immensely from singing to God with enthusiasm. What is it about singing in worship that God values so much?

You may not fully realize it, but God has already provided answers to this question in the Bible.

Here are five powerful reasons God loves for us to sing in worship:

1. You Glorify God When You Sing

In the Bible, singing is not just a suggestion. It’s actually a directive from God:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)

God’s people are not only invited to sing; God also commands us to do so. It is one of the many expressions of worship that He has graced us to enjoy, and when we do, we are fulfilling God’s command!

True obedience, deep roots in the Word, encouraging others, fighting Satan and sin, persevering, and finding delight in God bring honor to God, which is everyone’s primary objective and purpose.

Singing has a special way of pulling together your heart, soul, mind, and strength to focus wholly and completely on God. In an age of distraction, singing captures all of our senses and directs our attention to God.

2. You Plant Deep Roots in the Word When You Sing

As Colossians 3 tells us, we are instructed to allow the Word of Christ to inhabit us richly, and one way is to sing in worship. 

The Apostle Paul invites us to let God’s Word dwell entirely in us, and then he informs us how to put that mandate into practice—by teaching and singing!

Singing is one of the two primary ways God’s Word richly resides in us.

Singing is a command, but there is a promise attached to this command: If we do as the Word says, we are assured that the Word of Christ will dwell in us richly, which is what we should desire as believers.

3. You Strengthen Yourself Spiritually When You Sing in Worship

We often think of singing solely when we’re pleased and things are going well. However, Acts 16 mentions singing for strength in times of difficulty. What do Paul and Silas do while imprisoned unjustly for the sake of the Gospel? 

“But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)

There was something about singing as a vehicle of Paul and Silas’ prayers that brought God’s very presence into that prison, loosening the bonds that held them. There is power in prayer and in worship, and the Bible shows us that worship amplifies that.

4. For the enjoyment of being in God’s presence

Some see the idea of serving their god as a burden, a strenuous obligation to fulfill out of fear and obedience. The wonderful news for Christians is that we serve a God who has made our burden light and who wants us to enjoy being in His presence, as well as the presence of fellow believers. 

Nearly every major celebration of life involves singing. Birthdays, bar mitzvahs, and weddings involve singing. These events typically use singing to celebrate the blessing of the subjects of the event, born out of joy for the occasion. 

Fellowship in God’s presence is also an occasion for celebration. We celebrate because He fills our hearts, minds, and lives with joy. Make a joyful noise to the Lord! (Psalm 100:1)

5. To help us memorize His promises

God instructed His people to write down His promises and hang them in their houses. These were to be reminders. The reason we need reminding is that we can be forgetful of what God has done, especially when we face difficult times.

A proven strategy for helping people remember details is by putting the information into songs. When we learn songs about God’s goodness and, especially when our children learn these songs, we create a lasting memory to encourage us when hard times hit us.

Conclusion

The Apostle John provides a glimpse of eternity in Revelation 7:9-10, when a vast multitude of people from every beautiful tribe, race, and language sing before the Lamb, 

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Eternity is waiting. Will you be among the enormous multitude that no one can count on that day, singing the Lamb’s song and shouting his praises? Singing is an integral part of our worship of God, and we are all invited to sing along.

Do you desire to grow in your own personal discipleship and walk with God? To help promote the Good News of Jesus Christ, Global Disciples trains local leaders in hard-to-reach areas. Contact us if you’d like to get involved with Jesus’ Great Commission to the unreached.

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!

If there is one idea in the Christian life that many people struggle to understand, it’s repentance.

Yet, it is the key to connecting with God and finding a life of freedom. Repentance is about realizing that we do not have the strength within ourselves to live a holy life, that we will never be able to obtain that strength through our own means, and that we are thus in desperate need of Jesus Christ, Who does have that strength and Who draws near to a broken spirit (Psalm 34:18).

You may wonder how we can start praying with an attitude of repentance.

Below is a brief outline that will hopefully help you approach prayer in a way that will change your life.

The humility of a few words

Ecclesiastes 5 tells us to approach God with few words and rather go before Him to listen than to speak. This is because we need to be aware that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that He is infinitely more loving, kinder, and trustworthy than we are.

Our words to Him come from our imperfect perceptions and hearing what He has to say to us first allows us to receive perfect instruction from the ultimate architect of creation. While God absolutely loves to hear our every thought, feeling, and concern, we are reminded that it is far better to first listen for His loving voice, rather than beginning our prayers with a list of requests and demands.

Repentance of our sinful nature, rather than only one sin

A preacher once wisely said that it is not so much each individual sin that we commit that needs to be listed in our prayer, but rather the much wider concept that we are sinful by nature.

In other words, rather than listing each sin committed throughout the last week, we can rather confess to God that our thoughts, actions, and emotions are naturally drawn towards the sinful and that we cry out for His help to be transformed in our thoughts and actions so that we can live more holy lives. Even the greatest missionary of all time struggled with sin (Romans 7:18-25) and cried out to God for help in living a pure life. 

The joy of repentance

When you think of repentance, you may imagine yourself whipping your back and beating yourself down about how sinful you are.

The good news is that repentance is much, much more joyful than that. Yes, our sin is horrific. Our tendency to do evil is to be despised. But the simple reason why repentance is more joyful than self-loathing is that your attention is on Christ’s perfection and forgiveness, rather than your own shortcomings.

The difference between the agony of loathing yourself and the joy of true repentance is that true repentance keeps your focus on God, not yourself. You are only a point of reference for seeing why God is worthy of our praise. You are not the focal point. Look to Him, and you will experience true joy and freedom!

The reason why focusing on Christ gives us a joyful perspective of repentance is because all of our sins, which come with a penalty of death, have ALREADY been paid for by the horrific death of the perfect, sinless messiah, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice paid for our sins (John 3:16).

It is our choice

The gift of Christ dying for our sins is a free gift. However, like any gift, it needs to be received. We are invited to accept the gift of Christ’s forgiveness, but until we receive it, it does not become part of our story. The key to accepting this gift is our own repentance. It is only by acknowledging our sin that we can see our need for a savior and embrace the gift of His salvation.

How to pray

With a better understanding of what repentance is and how it applies to us, we can look at how we should pray. Jesus’ disciples asked him directly and he gave them a detailed prayer to use in Luke 11.

An important part of this prayer is the phrase “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

In order for our repentance to be effective, we need to choose to forgive others that have wronged us. Knowing that everybody has sinned and we are all in need of salvation can help us to forgive others. Forgiving others is not an emotion. We may be struggling with anger, bitterness, or disgust at how someone else has treated us, and choosing to forgive them may not relieve those emotions, at least not immediately, but we still need to make the decision to forgive them.

Speak it. Declare it. Ignore your feelings for a moment and make the choice to forgive, so that you can live in freedom. You forgive so that you can live in freedom, regardless of whether or not the other person accepts the forgiveness offered to them.

When you pray, declare out loud for yourself that you realize you cannot earn God’s glory, you need God’s forgiveness through the death of His son Jesus Christ, and you accept Jesus into your heart. Invite Him to live in your heart forever, so that by His strength you can pursue a life of holiness.

Conclusion

Repentance is traditionally seen as an agonizing self-despising, but it is actually intended to be a joyful experience, where we see our own shortfalls and embrace Christ’s perfection to set us free from our own sin.

When you see repentance in that light, you can eagerly find more things in your life that you can confess to God as stopping you from obtaining His glory, and find joy in the truth that Christ has set you free!

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!

As the new year begins, what will you be praying for? In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus provides us a pattern of prayer that we could all follow.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

As I pray, I begin by worshipping our Father God as Creator and Lord of the universe. Our all-powerful and all-knowing Father knows us completely yet still loves us. And welcomes each one as a son/daughter! I enjoy taking time to bask in that reality—in his perfect and unconditional love.

Then comes this line: Your kingdom come…  

Lord, may your kingdom come in my life, in my thoughts and in my attitudes—and my motivations. Father, I am so easily distracted and so quick to feel frustrated or impatient. Holy Spirit, I need you to help me keep my eyes on Jesus—to see the world as He does. I want to be more like you, Jesus! To love as you love, to be moved by your compassion, to serve as you served…

Lord, may your kingdom come in my relationship with my wife and our kids, and our grandchildren. I want to represent You to them, to have my words, my responses, my actions and interactions to be more like you—more like you in my character, in the tone of my voice, in how I spend my time…

And Lord, may your kingdom come in their lives! I long for each one—my son and our daughters, and their spouses, and all their children—to love you with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength! From generation to generation until you return, Jesus, may they be sold out and fully surrendered to you! I’m believing for that. I’m crying out for Your Glory…

And oh Lord, may your kingdom come in and through the ministry of Global Disciples. Father, thank you for every member of our team around the world. They each are amazing gifts to this ministry and in my life. You’ve put this team together in such a masterful way. You’ve brought just the right people at the right time, though not always as quickly as I had hoped. You have done us well Jesus, so well!

As I walk around my neighborhood, Lord, may your kingdom come here where you’ve planted us, where we live. I get so busy going here and there, that sometimes I feel like a real failure as a witness for you here, Jesus. I want everyone in this neighborhood to know you. Some do, but many don’t. Oh Holy Spirit, I need your strategies and your love for each one imparted in my heart. I want to be compelled by your love, not guilt driven—but convicted of the importance of my witness here.

I started with one phrase of a prayer burning on my heart, to see your kingdom come. There’s so much more I didn’t get to! I wonder if you didn’t expect that would happen, Jesus, when you gave us this sample prayer. Amen.

Where do you want to see God’s kingdom come in your life? In your family? In your community or church? In your business or labor or education? In your sphere of influence or the broader world? Then pray that, today and through the coming year.

And this year, as you pray “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” (Romans 15:13). 

– Galen Burkholder, CEO/Founder of Global Disciples

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions 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!

While we grow in our own faith, we can find great joy in encouraging others to also grow in theirs (Philemon 1:7).

Our faith journey continues throughout our lives, and the good news is that we do not need to reach a certain level in our spiritual maturity to encourage others in their growth (Romans 3)

The following are some suggestions for providing spiritual support to a friend at various stages in their own discipleship faith journey.

When we pray with others, it deepens our personal journeys with God, as well as our bonds with fellow believers.

We get to encourage each other in any challenges we’re facing in life, as well as by sharing stories of how God has answered our prayers.

Spend as much time as possible praying with each other. Prayers can be silent, said out loud, and intertwined with discussions about Scripture and personal testimony. Welcome the Holy Spirit to guide your discussions and prayers to help you all deepen in the presence of God (Romans 8:27).

Worship is an important part of drawing closer to God, and worshipping along with others is instructed in the Bible (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Much like prayer, when we sing songs to God together with others, we have the opportunity to share with each other our love for God and we also draw closer to Him as one body, often resulting in a shared experience of being touched by the Holy Spirit.

Few things can bond believers together as strongly as a shared blessing from the Holy Spirit.

Life-long friendships have been formed because a group of people were in the same room when the Holy Spirit impacted each one. It is exciting to hear about a group of believers who have been best friends because the Lord touched them all at the same time 40 years prior!

The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. If you or your friend have trouble with the concept of a creator God, this may offer you insight into the private place you should seek for inspiration.

Spending time in nature brings people closer to God or makes them more aware of God’s presence. Visits to beloved parks, greenways, and other natural areas with a friend are fantastic ways to spend time together and others to discover the beauty of life at a difficult time of the year.

For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. – Colossians 1:16

When we write a note to someone (whether in the form of a card, a letter or even just a simple piece of paper stuck to a mirror), we don’t realize the major impact that that simple act can have on someone.

If we ask the Holy Spirit to guide our writing, we may say something in the note that that person needs to hear at that moment to encourage and bless them.

What makes written notes different from spoken ones is that they last longer, meaning that a person can keep a note and read it again many times. A spoken encouragement can be remembered, but there is something special about having the words in writing. Rereading it is like having the person say it to you over and over again. Of course, the most significant example of this is the Bible! God left us this long note, for us to enjoy and reread throughout our lives.

Sometimes it can be difficult to read the Bible by yourself. Distractions, laziness, and even doubts can interfere with our personal Bible study time.

God knows we all have weaknesses, so He gave us each other to help us. This includes helping us read the Bible together.

Reading the Bible together can help you focus, feel like you are learning with others, and provide an opportunity for you to discuss the passage together. Discussing what you are reading with fellow believers helps you to see different perspectives on the writing, and your understanding of the Bible can deepen as you share ideas with each other. An important note, however, is that you must be careful to always encourage each other, and not let disagreements in opinion lead to resentment or damage to your friendship (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Some of the ways that we can bless others can seem trivial, but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the smallest gesture can impact a person for life.

A simple gift, quick phone call, or little note left on their door can break down years of doubt that a person has had about whether God is real or whether anyone really cares. That one gift could be the answer to a prayer unspoken and a confirmation that their prayer was heard and answered in an undeniable way.

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!