Are You A Christian? ...Really!?

While many who claim to be Christians whine about how early or long the church service is. How 10% is too challenging and too much to give. How depressing it is not to be able to buy that new car or that new pair of shoes. How being a man is so much hard work. This ex-addict, hard core criminal turned businessman, then preacher and last but not the least, missionary in Africa, is doing amazing things for God.

Do me a favour, go and watch this movie immediately and then think about your Christian life (or lack thereof)! It has changed my perspective of a lot of things, including who I used to see as my heroes. 

Check out Sam Childers website here.

Your Destiny Is Within Your Reach

Your destiny is within your reach. You are not a waste of space. You were born for times like these (Acts 17:26). It’s your turn to make history. What legacy will you leave behind? Opportunities are about what he is preparing you for. But how do you recognise whether you are moving towards your destiny? Here are a few thoughts:

1) You recognise that you exist to serve your generation 

(Acts 13:36, 17:26)

You are in the right place at the right time. God placed you here. Your existence was planned by God before the foundation of the world. Your parents might not have planned you but God did. You were conceived in the mind of God long before you were conceived by your parents (Ephesians 1:4). God placed you here to serve. Service is not optional. You were saved to serve.(Ephesians 2:10). God made a way for us to serve your generation through his church. Are you giving it all you can? (Colossians 3:23, Ecclesiastes 9:10)

2) You recognise that you already have what you need  

(Ephesians 3:20)

Check out Judges 15:15, Exodus 4:2 and 1 Samuel 17:50. What did Sampson, Moses and David had in common? They used what they had. If you use what you have God will become what you need. Thank God for Ephesians 3:20. What do you have in your hands? A house (why not use it to connect with people in you world), a car (are you using it to carry people?), an informal environment in church on Sundays that makes it easy for you to connect with people, a cup of coffee (why not offer someone a cuppa?). What do you have right now that you can use for God’s glory?(1 Corinthians 10:31). You already have what God wants you to have to cause a great impact for the kingdom.

3) You recognise that your destiny is within your reach 

(2 kings 7, 1 Samuel 14)

In 2 kings 7 we read of two lepers that saved a whole nation. In 1 Samuel 14 yet another two men saved a whole nation. Their destiny were within their reach. Here is the thing, your destiny is also within your reach. You already have the right people and right resources in your world. Are you investing in your relationships? Do you value your church? Are you being a good steward? God will use the ones close to you as he did with the lepers and Jonathan.

Ask God to show you the resources he has already given you, for your destiny is within your reach.

The Narrow Gate

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:13

Wide = having a larger distance from one side to the other than is usual or expected.

Jesus made it clear that the going of being a follower is tough. The road to convenience and comfortable living is wide. What do we do to make sure that we are moving towards the narrow gate?

Strategy To Enter Through The Narrow Gate

1- Determine To Be Chosen

For many are called, but few are chosen

Matthew 22:14

In the Parable of the Wedding Party everyone was invited to the wedding, but the invitation went out in two parts. The 'A list', the respectable people were invited first, but they did not take the invitation seriously. They only pretended to accept. They lied. The result is that they didn’t show up.  The invitation was then sent out to the 'B' list which was everyone else including the street people, prostitutes, etc!

Being chosen is a decision we make. It is a commitment to listen to the voice of the one who chose us in the first place.

2- Determine To Follow

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

This has got to do with your determination to keep going. Following Jesus goes like this:

LISTEN

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

COUNT THE COST

But don't begin until you count the cost. Luke 14:26-28

GIVE UP

So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. Luke 14:33

You cannot miss the narrow gate if you are wholeheartedly following Jesus and since we are at it, who are you leading towards the narrow gate? Because if you are a follower, this is not an option, it’s a must.

The Development Session

Every now and then I go back to the basics with the men in our men's group. I call these sessions "Development Sessions". They are a great  way to monitor the new converts' growth, assess where everyone is at and engage with the real  deal of being a follower of Christ. You can even get into discussions about ideas, mindsets, misconceptions among other interesting things.

Below is an example of a development sheet.

DEVELOPMENT SESSION 1   

(2 Timothy 2:2)

1) What is so bad about sin? Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:2.

Sin leads to death. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23). Sin is when you do something God asked you not to (James 4:17).

2) Who is Jesus? John 3:16

He is the Son of God.

3) Why Jesus? John 14:6

He made a way for us to have relationship with God.

4) Why did Jesus have to die? 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:17

Jesus died to take the penalty our sins deserved. He took our punishment so that we wouldn’t have to. He made a way for us to go to heaven and live with God forever.

5) How do you get to heaven? Romans 10:9-10, John 1:12

“Receiving Christ” means: 1) acknowledging your belief in Jesus, 2) inviting him into your life, 3) turning to God from your present way of living (repentance), and 4) beginning the adventure of letting God direct your life.

6) What is Church?

A body of believers.

7) What is the Church’s purpose?

1 - To bring us strength. 1 Corinthians 14:26

2 - To help us flourish. Psalm 92:12

3 - To show us the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15, John 8:32, John 14:6

8) Why is the Church so important?

1 - The Church was Jesus’ idea. Mat 16:18 , I Pet 2:4-6

2 - Jesus died for the Church. Acts 20:28, Eph 5:25

3 - Jesus is the Head of the Church. Eph 1:22, Col 1:18

9) Why Serve?

1 - Great cure for selfishness. Phil 2:3

2 - Shows us the real purpose of living. Mt. 16:25

3 - It’s part of the core of who a true disciple is. Mt. 20:32-33, Mark 16:20

4 - Leads to greatness. Mt 23:11-12

Being a Woman

I am proud to say that Angela's new book is now available. What a masterpiece!

From a man's perspective I found this book valuable in understanding women better. Not only the role of a woman but also the heart. A must read for husbands as well as men who are seeking to draw the best out of the women in their world. Understanding the role of a woman could significantly change your life and the lives of the women around you. Being a Woman is very practical with applicable suggestions that will challenge men and women alike.   Much to my surprise I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Being a Woman book and worksheets are available here as well as the awesome photos that my daughter, Lorah-Kelly took for this book.