Month: July 2008

And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
(John 3:26-27)

Understanding that men to disciple are a gift from God is a key principle that bleeds into our ministry at several different levels. It helps us stay dependent on the Holy Spirit to perform the supernatural part of ministry. It helps us to maintain a proper perspective with Jesus and remain humble. Understanding that the ministry comes from God forces me to pray more. It also puts my ministry techniques in the correct perspective, it’s more about the “who” rather than the “how”. It helps me to quit playing the comparison game by thinking somehow I’m better or worse than the other laborers around me based on the number of men I am discipling. The sooner we figure out that our ministry is a gift from God the more spiritual that ministry will be. So where’s your man and are you praying that God will give you one? FJ28

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read John 3.22-36

After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing.
(John 3:22)

One of the primary methods Jesus used to develop the disciples was to simply spend time with them (Mk 3.14). They were with Him as He ate, walked, performed miracles, taught, in the cities, on the water, and in the wilderness. They saw Jesus in every part of life. By the end, His influence was evident; Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Most of us can’t hang out with the people we are discipling 24/7. We have jobs, husbands, wives, kids and other responsibilities. Our discretionary time is limited. But we can still maximize our time with those we are mentoring. I have found that when I see a guy at least four times a week, I usually have a pretty significant impact in his life. That may seem like a lot, but let’s break it down. I see him at Chapel , next at the leader’s Bible study, later in the week at the outreach Bible study and then for one on one time at lunch. Four times in a week. That’s a good goal to shoot for with a busy schedule. Want to maximize your time even more? Move the guy into your spear bedroom. Deb and I have been doing this for a few years now and the pay off for time invested is huge. But not everyone can move people into their home. So just practice the principle the best you can; more time equals more influence. FJ27

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read John 3.1-21

“Are you a teacher in Israel and do not understand these things?” (John 3.10)

As a disciplemaker, I can empathize with Nicodemus. My face flushes red as I read and reflect on my own lack of spiritual insight. But the great thing about this discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus is that they are having it. Jesus is not too busy or put off to spend some time with a guy who ought to know but doesn’t. He certainly knew that Nick could have run back to his self-righteous buddies and further maligned His name. But Jesus makes the investment anyways. And what did it cost Nicodemus? He had to meet Jesus at night, no doubt for fear of being seen with this new religious radical. Nick was at least curios and had the gumption to talk to “the Man.” He was still teachable, still seeking, still searching for the truth. And he doesn’t put his tail between his legs and whimper off when Jesus challenges him on his lack of understanding. He humbled himself. As I read this account, I am comforted by two things. First, Jesus is still willing to teach spiritual knuckleheads. And second, despite our short-comings, we are still exerting the effort to pursue the truth. FJ26

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)

Jesus did not let His popularity go to His head. The passage says “He knew all men.” In other words He knew what was in man and how fickle he can be. He knew that on one day they would sing Hosanna and on the next chant “crucify Him.” It is a fleeting thing the popularity of man. This is why Jesus focused on pleasing only one person, His Father in Heaven. He is not fickle. He is constant and unchanging (Lam 3.22-23). And He is the true rewarder of a life of Faith in Him (Heb 11.6). There is a danger lurking in waters of disciplemaking. One can start believing his own press. Young disciples start looking up to you and are enamored with the fact that you have been walking with Jesus a little longer. The platitudes begin to roll in. Be careful with what you believe. Don’t be carried away by the crowds or you’ll be carried away by the crowds (usually to a cross). Focus on pleasing God not men. FJ25

…a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.
(Ecclesiastes 8:5)

It’s a little unnerving the first few times you do it but after a while you get the hang of putting a blasting cap into an explosive charge. This is one of those soldier tasks that requires the right procedure at the right time. Mix them up and it could ruin your day. There are some things in the Christian life that have proper timing and procedure as well, like praying first. Ever make a decision and it turned bad and you said to yourself, I better pray about this. Or struggle through days of anxiety and then finally remember to pray. Remember this sequence; Pray first. SP320

Read John 2.13-22

They had turned worship into a capitalistic venture and the Temple had become a place to make a buck. Jesus’ response? A violent and emotional reaction to the materialistic sins of the people. Turning over tables, making an improvised whip and driving man and beast out of the Temple. This is not your Sunday School Jesus, meek and mild with the little lamb on His shoulders. This really ticked Him off. I wonder what He thinks of Christianity in America today. I know “the workman is worthy of his wages” (Mt 10.10) but I also know that there are intentional strategies developed by stone cold pagans to get rich off of Jesus’ name. I think God can see the difference between the man who is honestly supported by those he ministers to and the publisher or recording studio that is making 87% of the profits. Am I alone here or are you seeing the same kind financial opportunist that Jesus threw out of the Temple?

So how does this apply to me? Quit feeding the machine. Only buy books and music when you need it and not on a whim (especially fad Christian books and music with no substance). Encourage authors and artists to break from big publishing and recording names. If you are writing books or recording music put it on the internet for free or ask for a modest donation. If you feel like your book needs to be in print, get it printed at cost and sell it for a reasonable price (“the workman is worthy of his wages” (Mt 10.10) You’re not going to get rich this way…but that’s the point. FJ24

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
(Romans 8:37)

It wasn’t the toughest obstacle course I had been on but I would soon learn to hate it. We were training with the Seals on Coronado Beach and my Commander decided to show off a little in front of our Navy friends. We ended up going through the obstacle course 4 times to prove we were the better warrior. Not sure that really proved anything (except a lot of bruises and barely able to move the next morning). We are competitive beings by nature. I believe God has wired us that way, to be winners. Unfortunately, we have made a total mess of the things with our sin. But He intended the Conqueror Spirit to be use for good rather than evil. In fact in Christ, we are made overwhelming conquerors. Through Jesus we win in a big way. We just need learn from the scriptures how to win God’s way. SP319

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
(Luke 9: 57-58)

A 5×7 sheet of nylon, slightly quilted, intended for use in the Tropics was all we had to sleep with in the mountains of North Georgia in the middle of winter. Life was rough and there was more shivering than sleeping going on, I can assure you. These kind of sacrifices are part of being a soldier. (Remember the guys sleeping next to the tire of their hummer in the dirt during an incredible sand storm on FOXNEWS.) Following Jesus is the same. When Jesus replied to the one who wanted to follow Him, He said it will take sacrifice. To be as Hard Core about your faith as you are your profession. Spiritual wimps need not apply. I think that’s what He’s saying to this would be recruit. Do you find your faith taking you out of your comfort zone? Jesus says that’s normal. SP318

Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not realizing what he was saying.
(Luke 9:32-33)

I have men and women in the ministry that I call Warhorses. They are committed to the hilt and run to the point of being expended, pressing the envelope physically. They will show up to Bible study or chapel after a week in the field. Hungry and tired, they still make it a priority to minister to others. I think Jesus and His disciple had reached the point of being totally expended by “pressing the envelope” several times in their ministry (Jesus asleep during a storm (Mat 8.24), not being able to eat a meal (Mark 3.20), asleep in the garden (Mat 26.40). It’s a work ethic that Jesus left us through His example and teaching that we seldom hear preached today. Obviously rest has its place but are you pressing to exert yourself for the King and Kingdom? SP317

Read Mt 9.27-34, Mk 7.32-37

It is interesting that Jesus heals the blind, deaf, and mute. These three have their spiritual parallels as key areas in discipleship. Jesus opens our spiritual eyes to see His works happening all around us. To identify those who are in need and desire help in following Christ. He opens our spiritual ears to hear from His Word and the Holy Spirit’s promptings to obedience and ministry. And He loses our spiritual tongues to tell others about Him. As Disciplemakers, we are to provide the same healing for others. Helping them to see, hear, and to speak with spiritual healthiness. Have you been healed in these three areas? Are you healing others?