Eleven Suggestions for 2011:
- Read the Bible consistently. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” We need to experience God’s love and faithfulness to us every morning. Set aside at least 15 minutes each day to read God’s Word and discover what God wants you to be and to do. The Bible is God’s instruction book for how we are to operate in life.
- Journal– After reading God’s word write down what you believe God is saying to you through His Word and your response to Him. As you read, ask yourself these questions: Is there a promise to claim, a sin to confess, an example to follow, a prayer to pray?
- Spend more quantity and quality time with your family.
- Commit to one ministry responsibility at your church in your area of giftedness and do it for the glory of Christ. Maybe the Lord will lead you to start a new ministry at your church in 2011.
- Let the Lord be in control of your finances and not the advertising industry. We are bombarded every day with messages telling us we need a certain product in order to be truly content. Remember that Jesus is the source of contentment and peace not your stuff. Start a Christmas savings fund so that next year at this time you won’t feel like you do now!
- Actively share your faith with people. Determine to have some Gospel conversations as you share what the Lord has done for you. Successful witnessing is sharing Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
- Visit for the Lord and invite people to church. Determine to make at least one “at home” visit per month to minister to a neighbor or recent church guest.
- Be faithful to Sunday Morning Bible study and Worship. Being part of weekly Bible study and fellowshiping with other believers around God’s Word keeps you from becoming weak. Maybe the Lord wants you to start a new Sunday School or small group class.
- Get a prayer partner to share requests and pray together. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
- “Love people and use things” instead of “love things and use people.
Exercise: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
Thanks Steve for your comments. We must raise the bar for disciple making in Kentucky or we will continue on a down ward spiral. Thanks for all you do for the kingdom,
Mike
Mike, excellent suggestions as we start the New Year. Thank you for your continued reminders about the importance of being a disciple and the importance of making disciples.