Motivational Gifts

Posted on by
Reply
The topic of spiritual gifts can be a beneficial aspect of pastoral ministry. The teaching context would include 1 Peter 4:10,11, Eph. 4:11-12; and 1 Cor. 12-14.
Personal discipling/ counseling could facilitate the disciple’s appreciation, recognition and deployment of his/her gift(s).
A model that I have found very helpful over the decades considers the seven gifts Romans 12:3-8 as “motivational gifts.” In other words, each of us as believers has one of these seven gifts as a primary motivational gift. With that motive/orientation you may have one or more “ministry gifts”… and the use of these abilities may sometimes show up in a “manifestation gift.”
Here are some resources that unpack this approach:
(click the link on each of the seven for more detail)
An online (and downloadable) survey is at:
Books using this model include:
And note Charles Stanley’s sermons on the seven (motivational) spiritual gifts :
If the discipler appreciates the importance of spiritual gifts in life and ministry, he may discover this topic to be more scriptural and beneficial than the popular four personality categories (as used in the DISC profile).
JBW

Victorious Christian Living

Posted on by
Reply

by Dr. Lewis Gregory

We hear the phrase victorious Christian living often but I’m not sure very many people know what it really means, much less how to achieve it.

Raising the bar: I once thought the normal Christian life involved much failure and defeat. After all to err is human. And all God expects from us is to do the best we can, because He understands our weakness. But when we die and go to Heaven then everything will be OK. Wrong! It may sound nice, and even be comforting when we consider our future. But as one man said, “how does this help me in the ugly here and now?” It doesn’t!

THE SOURCE OF VICTORY

Such a life of failure and defeat is not indicative of God’s heavenly kingdom. And it’s certainly not victory. That is why Jesus told us to pray that His kingdom would come here on Earth as it is in Heaven. Once you receive Jesus Christ, God’s kingdom is within you, because the Kingdom of Heaven is the realm of God’s presence. But it is all in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the victor, He is the conqueror, and He is the triumphant victorious king. Hallelujah!

Heaven on Earth, that’s the life and the victory that Christ offers. We can live victorious because of the Victor Jesus Christ who has conquered Satan, death and hell. Jesus is victor over all things. Thus we can be victorious over all things through Christ Jesus our Lord-our indwelling king.

WHAT IS VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING?

Consider some biblical terms that describe victory in the NT:

Strong-in the Lord-Ephesians 6:10,
And yet we are told in Isaiah 33:23 that “The lame take to prey.” 2 Corinthians 12:10, Matthew 26:41, Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

courtesy of https://www.sourceministries.net/

Continue reading this article…

A God-Centered Legacy

Posted on by
Reply

An author that taught the message of union with Christ with a God-centered perspective was DeVern Fromke. Books such as The Ultimate Intention are on the required reading list for Network220.org counseling ministries. I appreciated some personal calls and correspondence with him in his later years. Brother Fromke went to be with the Lord a couple of years ago. Author Frank Viola posted his respects for Devern Fromke’s ministry at Frank’s popular blog:

“One of my mentors has gone to be with the Lord. A treasured spiritual luminary has left this earth. DeVern Fromke is now with God. He was 93.

“I met DeVern in 1993 along with Stephen Kaung (disciple of Watchman Nee)… Fromke ministered in conferences with the man who has had the most influence on my life, T. Austin-Sparks–though Sparks left this realm before I ever heard his name. All of these men gave me my foundation in the Eternal Purpose of God. And I still marvel at the depth of revelation whenever I read Sparks…

“He, along with Kaung and Sparks, were pioneers of God’s Ultimate Purpose. I’m grateful for his life and legacy. Beyond everything else, he showed me how to carry the Lord’s highest message without being egotistical or high-minded. DeVern was a portrait of the humility of Christ in a gifted vessel.”

Posted by Frank Viola, October 29, 2016 https://frankviola.org/2013/02/22/devernfromke

DeVern Fromke’s books for adults and children are still available at https://fromke.com/

-JBW

My Dad in Heaven

Posted on by
Reply

“When children are little, they are happy to boast about their dads … how big they are … how strong they are … My Dad Is The Best Dad In The Universe is my best attempt to boast in the same way about my Heavenly Father.”

“Each line in this 12 minute video was inspired by a Bible passage … Over 150 in total!
This video can be downloaded for free along with the audio narration and text.”

When you visit AbbasKids.com, download the free video, Cartoon Gallery and PDF books by Barry Adams. They are full of visual grace-and-truth for children of all ages!

Abide Above

Posted on by
Reply
The beginning of a new year in a important opportunity to prioritize our personal devotional life. We have a page on this site of helpful free resources arranged in daily readings. Not only is this convenient for the pastor, it is helpful to recommend to the disciple. Here is a sample article from None but the Hungry Heart: “Tranquil Trust”
 
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).
 
Restful trust is developed not so much by what the Lord Jesus does for us, but by who He is to us—and that necessitates fellowship.
“It is a wonderful thing to be so satisfied with the Lord Jesus’ company, that we can be tranquil about everything. You will often find that it is the one of the most anxious temperament who finds most in Him, when such an one begins to know Him. I remember when I used to think that I should be happy beyond conception if I were able to say, ‘I will fear no evil,’ ‘my heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.’ In order to reach this, you must find Him enough, without anything else. We all say that He is enough, but it is quite a different thing to know it practically. You can never prove the worth of anyone, until you are absolutely dependent on him.” -J.B.S.
 
“What do you need? Ask your Father about it. Instead of harassing your mind about it, present it to Him; and it is not said that He will necessarily give you what you ask, but He gives you His peace. You put your cares into His heart, and He will put His peace into yours.”
 
“Our Father’s purpose is an ‘eternal purpose,’ from eternity, embracing an eternity to come. He does not shape His thoughts according as circumstances arise, but the circumstances are controlled by His thoughts and plans. How blessed to know that He is absolute Master in all things; that even ‘He maketh the wrath of man to praise Him, and the remainder of wrath He restrains.’ It is the only thing that can give the smallest comfort in the midst of such a scene of confusion all around us.” -F.W.G.
 
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).
 

Just Be a Friend

Posted on by
Reply

Just Be A Friend / Out Reach Groups
is a collection of articles dedicated to providing Evangelism & Discipleship helps to local churches to encourage their congregations to get out into their communities to share Christ wherever the need.

The Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20, is the New Testament Church’s Call to Service and to Faithfulness. This collection of articles is concise, brief and to the point. It’s purpose is to get a church’s congregation out into the community to just be a friend to others in Jesus’ Name through small outreach groups …

It is extremely important to realize that this is not a campaign. Campaigns are good in that they cause us to carry out and practice what we should be doing and need to be doing for the sake of the Great Commission. But they are literally close dated … What we do justbeafriend.org has realized much more as a success for the Glory of God and His Kingdom’s Work as we make these truths a daily practice of our church’s daily walk 365 days a year every year. This emphasis has to come from the top down. From the pastor to the congregation.

https://justbeafriend.org/

Union with Christ

Posted on by
Reply

Ian Thomas’ books such as The Saving Life of Christ and The Mystery of Godliness continue to be accurate and dependable resources to share the message of the Exchanged Life. We believe this New Covenant perspective should be central to pastoral ministry. Thomas was used of the Lord to launch the Capernwray Bible Institutes in various countries. Derek Burnside teaches at the mother school in England. In this online video message, Derek speaks on the topic “I’m in Christ and He’s in Me” (John 14:20). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOoczLDCUOw

Modern Disciple

Posted on by
Reply

A couple of years ago I met a team from Long Hollow Baptist Church. I picked up a copy Rediscovering Discipleship: Making Jesus’ Final Words Our First Work by their lead pastor, Robby Gallaty, and Ed Stetzer. Robby emphasizes the value of adding a “D Group” to the local church’s disciple-making model. This group is a gender-specific group of about 3 that includes more accountability and intentionality. In Rediscovering Discipleship he relates this model to the disciple-making the New Testament and of John Welsey.

Last weekend I was in Nashville and had the opportunity to worship at Long Hollow. Pastor Robby was concluding a series on the basics of this disciple-making path–“Modern Disciple.” The messages include:

  • You Need the Church and the Church Needs You (1 Cor. 12:12-19)
  • Find Community (Acts 2:41-47)
  • Making Jesus’ Last Words Our First Work (Matt. 28:16-20)
  • Every Member is a Minister (Eph. 4:11-14)

You can view or listen to these foundational messages here: LongHollow.com

– JBW

New DVD album: How to Exchange Your Life

Posted on by
Reply
.
How to Exchange Your Life for a New One by Dr. Phil Jones is an entry-level Bible study intended to reach and assimilate new church members. The booklet is available in the book store here. Grace Fellowship Int’l announces the publication of a new DVD album to accompany this booklet. These videos are about 15 minutes in length:
  • Sessions 1, 2: “Verify Your Salvation” – Dr. Phil Young
  • Sessions 3, 4: “New Life in Christ” – Dr. Dan Riley
  • Sessions 5, 6: “The Spirit-Filled Life & Victory” – Dr. Phil Jones
We pray that many small groups and churches will discover the strategic value of this outreach/initial discipleship kit. The DVD album is on sale for $39.95 at the online store or by calling 865-429-0450. Sample video sessions can be previewed at the How to Exchange Your Life for a New One resource page.