Making Disciples

Let's jump right into today's post. We talk about the Great Commission quite frequently, but I am struck by how often I miss what is so readily apparent in the text. The Great Commission is most often used as a call to evangelism, to sharing the gospel, but it is so much more. We are not called  just to share the gospel, we are called to make disciples, to teach people to obey everything Jesus commanded. Most of us are satisfied if we are becoming disciples ourselves, but becoming disciples is not what the Great Commission asks of us. Every one of us, every church member, every believer, should be equipped not just to become a disciple but to disciple and to teach someone else. (Perhaps we could go so far as to say that a disciple who doesn’t make other disciples is no disciple at all.)

The problem we have in many churches is that we spend most of our time, effort, and money on our least effective way of making disciples. Most churches place the greatest priority on their Sunday morning service. They spend more money, devote more staff hours, and use more resources on their morning worship than anything else the church does. We have become churches of big events, consciously or subconsciously treating events with the biggest crowds as the most important.

The problem with this method is that a large gathering of Sunday worshippers is probably the least effective way to make disciples. I’m not suggesting that corporate worship is unimportant, but corporate worship is more an outflow of an effective church than the engine that drives the church toward success. While large-group times of worship may not be effective at making disciples, a church full of disciples will have meaningful and dynamic corporate times of worship (perhaps using far fewer resources).

So how do we effectively make disciples who make other disciples? Sometimes I think we make things too complicated. We think that we have to have the latest programs, materials, and DVDs from the best-known teachers and preachers, but disciple making might actually be simpler (and cheaper) than these programs. Part of the problem with these programs is that they do not lead to reproduction. They do not equip us to teach other people, they only equip us to pass along the DVD or book from which we were learning.

So what is the answer? How do we make disciples? I’m not sure where I heard this, but I have recently taken to saying that only one thing changes people, the Spirit of God using the Word of God and the people of God.

Many people say they could never teach the Bible to others. “That’s not my gift,” they say, though it seems to me we are all called to teach others, even if not in front of a large group. But when we spend time in God’s Word, not reading a few verses here or there or a verse followed by a paragraph of devotional thoughts, but digesting chunks of God’s Word, reading books over and over again, we will find that we become teachers of God’s Word. Maybe we won’t all be preparing Sunday School lessons, but God’s Word will flow out of us in a natural way. We will be ready to instruct others because we have allowed God’s Word to instruct us. If we want to be Christians who make disciples, we must first allow God’s Word to saturate us to the point that it flows out into every aspect of our lives.

But we must also remember that God uses His people to make disciples as well. Part of the reason we cannot teach others is that we will not submit ourselves to instruction. In order to disciple others, we must be willing to be held accountable by someone else. We often count on sermons to instruct us, but as I love to say, we all love sermons that step on our toes, as long as we don’t have to move our feet. True disciple making most often comes not from sermons or even from gifted teachers, but when a handful of believers gather together to tell each other the truth in love, to hold each other accountable, and to grow in the Lord together.

I think part of the problem with discipleship trends in churches today is that we have set our goal far below scriptural standards. We have made it our goal to disciple believers through our church programs, but the real goal should be to produce disciples who make disciples. We don’t equip people to go out and disciple people on their own. At most we equip them to lead a discipleship class at church, when we should be equipping them to make disciples in their homes, at their places of work, and all around the world. This kind of quipping does not come from reading a book, completing a workbook, or listening to the best teachers; this kind of equipping comes only through the Spirit of God at work through the Word of God and the people of God. When we allow God’s Spirit to work through His Word and through His people, then we will equip people to be more than just receivers, we will equip them to be reproducers: disciples who make disciples. Hope this challenges you, One Love, Jason

His Grace!

What's up everyone? I hope your week has been awesome! I'm going to jump right in this afternoon to Acts 11:23 It says that Barnabas came and saw the grace of God. I wonder what the "grace of God," looked like. I bet it looked like what scripture said it did!! "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in the present age."(Titus 2:11-12) "God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) " But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not i, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10).......Barnabas witnessed the grace of God in the Church of Antioch because he saw righteousness, humility and labors of love in the people of God. Grace is not simply an invisible blanket of God's mercy that covers us when we sin. Grace is the visible empowerment of God to save us from sin. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."(Ephesians 2 8:9)........A life that is lived in the grace of God will be one that says no to unrighteousness, that is humble and that is able to accomplish more than anything we can do in our own human strength for the glory of God. As a believer, those looking at our lives should be able to see the grace of God. We all share the same spirit full of Grace, Mercy, and Love! Can others see the grace of God in your life? Wrestle with that I did that's why I wrote on this issue have a great day and let your light shine, ONE LOVE Jason Ashley

LOVE WILL CAST OUT FEAR!

Love will cast out Fear

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”
(1 John 4:17-18 (NIV).

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”
(John 14:27 (NIV).

Jesus gave us his peace that surpasses all of our natural understanding telling us that God is love. It is with His identity in His heart located within each of us that all fears of our imagination and tormenting voices must flee (1 John 4:16). Our Heavenly Father is a jealous Dad who will not allow any idols (fears) in His house (you). Even the power to remove the “tormenting fears” we struggle with daily belongs to God (Psalm 62:11).

How many deceptive voices are counseling your mind?

The fear of:
Death
Loss of job
Change
What others think
What is happening with my children
Concern with family or friends
Darkness
Health
Insecurity
Being a sinner or doing something wrong
Lack of finances
Falsely judged
Insecurity
Correction
Loss of control
__________________ (you fill in the blank)

We have not received the spirit of bondage to these or any other fears; but we have received the Spirit of God allowing us to boldly go before the throne of God calling Him Father (Romans 8:15). God did not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a righteous mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

The reason these fears enter our thoughts is not that God wants to condemn us, for there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus who gave us the Spirit of Life and Power. God has allowed these counselors of “fear” to come forth into the light of our awareness (His presence within us) so that the thoughts of our imagination are judged within ourselves allowing the perfect love we have in Him to cast out all our fears. Paul says 1 Cor 4:3-5, “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. The Lord judges me. Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (NIV).

God has allowed your fears and thoughts of the imagination to come forth so that He can reveal to you Christ within yourselves. The kingdom of God is righteous, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is not just in word, but also in His power that we manifest His presence through our faith in God. We are not to be afraid or tormented when our thoughts or imagination try to counsel us with “fear,” but to have faith in God that it is our Father’s good pleasure to give us His kingdom today (Luke 12:32).

It is with this understanding that our love, our identity in Christ, is made perfect. There is no fear in love, in God, and nothing is impossible for Him.

God’s perfect love in you will cast out all imagination of thoughts that is made perfect in His love. Bring your concerns and fears before the Lord allowing Him to remove them as He surrounds you with His peace. When we understand the reason that we were made aware of any fear is so that His presence, His love, His life, within you can cast out those “fears” allowing our identity in Christ to be made perfect. It is in this perfection that when others see us, they see their Heavenly Father…for it is Christ in us, the hope of His glory, which is manifested in the earth as the sons of God.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV).

Building a foundation at home.

Good morning friends I pray you are all doing well. I'm going to be writing about relationships today. These are some things I have learned and things that I constantly have to put forth the effort to do. Sometimes it's tough but I have realized IT'S WORTH IT! I pray you are challenged today by this blog post. Here we go!

Building a good relationship at home is like building a wall: It’s done brick by brick. And the mortar that holds it together is UNCONDITIONAL, UN-CONDEMNING, UNSELFISH LOVE. The only way you’ll know how good a job you’ve done is when it’s tested by the storms of life. One of the most important keys to succeeding at home is- communication. So:

• (1) Become creative. Spend time together as a family. Call your spouse during the day and plan date nights. Send her flowers love on her all the time instead of just one flipping day a week. Treat her like Christ treats us. As for your kids, communication with them is also huge. Build your relationships with your children on a solid foundation. Spend quality time with them instead of buying them whatever they want. Stuff will fade but the time you spend with them will never be forgotten!

The next thing is one that I will say takes work because it’s so easy for it to work its way in to your family time.

• (2) Identify communication killers. Internet, cell phones and TV are the worst ones! The average couple spends less than 1 hour a week communicating with one another, and we wonder why the divorce rate is skyrocketing.

• (3) Encourage one another at home; build each other up instead of tearing one another down. Differences of opinion are very healthy for building a great relationship with your family members if handled right WITH LOVE. The final one is very important.

• (4) Be conscious of how you interact with your family. You may have unwittingly adopted a style of communication. Stop and consider; do you: (a) retaliate- that has a degrading effect; (b) dominate- that has an intimidating effect; (c) isolate- that has a frustrating effect: (d) cooperate- that has an encouraging effect. If you’re in the habit of using any communication style other than a cooperative one, start working immediately to change it. You’ll have to, if you want to build a good relationship with your family. The most important thing when building family relationships is to keep JESUS CHRIST FRONT AND CENTER IN EVERYTHING! I pray this helps you realize just how important building relationships are. I love you all..with love, Jason Ashley

The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Hello friends I hope you all are having a wonderful day. I am going to be writing about the mind today. I am convinced that many believers are imprisoned by their own minds, their own thinking. Our thoughts control our emotions our emotions control our actions. Do you ever feel like your stuck? Ever feel beat down, worried, ever feel like you are out of control? I have and still to this day have days where I feel this way. I have days where I feel like pulling the curtains down and covering my head up and don’t even want to get out of bed. If we are honest we all have days like this. However for me and you there is hope and a way we can have a renewed mind and wake up refreshed instead of beat down. Our own logic sometimes puts our mind in chains. I have come to realize that there are things I will never understand about God but I also believe when we allow The Holy Spirit to renew our minds we will understand more. The Holy Spirit working in our hearts and minds can free us from shame, guilt, and whatever else is keeping us chained up within our souls. Scripture has some things to say about the renewing of the mind. Scripture also tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above.

Ephesians 4:23 says that after salvation we are to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Colossians 3:2 set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 1 Peter 4:7 the end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 1:13 therefore, prepare your minds for action: be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Romans 12:2 do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

So as I read these scriptures many things stick out to me that have to do with our minds. For one the mind is a very powerful thing to waste. Peter writes to tell us to be clear minded which simply means we need to be focused and refreshed in our thinking. We don’t need to have things on our mind that we could have taken care of days, months, even years ago. Is there something or someone you need to have a conversation with today, someone who has hurt you or maybe you wronged someone in some way. Get that off of your mind! Some instances could be taken care of easily or some could take some counseling or therapy. I don’t know your past, present and certainly not your future but I do know the more we have on our minds the more we are weighed down and our thinking gets foggy. Thus we do not think clearly. Peter also says we need to prepare our minds for action, it’s impossible to prepare your mind when it’s completely bogged down. Paul says do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind. So our transformation comes through the renewing of our mind. Renew simply means to refresh or replenish. So I want to say how did we think before we met Christ? How do we think now that we have Christ living within us? Has your thinking changed in anyway or are you still bogged down and lost in your on logic and reason? I can’t answer these questions for you but I have for myself and it has changed the way I think about things, it’s changed how my mind responds to certain situations or circumstances. We are to have the mind of Christ that’s our goal and I am totally convinced this comes through the renewing of our mind. So what you may think today will affect your present and future. Choose to think positive even in the most negative of circumstances. I f you have something on your mind get it off! This is a start, remember it is a process that only the spirit working within you can do but it takes us willing to do our part, whatever that may be. Take a step today to renew your mind! Love you guys I pray that your mind finds rest today, tomorrow and forever. If you need someone to talk to email me at jason198284@hotmail.com and I would love to minister to you or learn something from you. One Love, Jason Ashley

Renewing the mind!!

Let's get straight to it!!!!

I have found out that when you tell someone that they should have a renewed mind, its like they look at you like you are speaking in Greek or something. Why? Maybe its because most people really don't know what it means to have a renewed mind in Christ Jesus. Or either they have been brain washed by the world for so long that they have started to look like the world, and try to fit in with the world instead of taking the time to spend with God so that they could get that renewed mind.

You see God does not work through conformity. He is looking for evidence of real transformation-transformation that takes place only through the renewing of the mind. When the mind is renewed, you have the mind of Christ. With God's spirit constantly flowing into your spirit you will find that you are becoming more and more like Jesus and by having the mind of Christ you will also have some "I AMness." Scripture records Jesus boldly saying, "I AM the Truth; I AM the Light; I AM the Way. I AM. I AM, I AM." The "I AMness" separates Him from everyone else. He was unique in His birth, life, and resurrection. He did not confirm His life to the customs and traditions of the culture during His life on earth. For example it was against the custom and traditions when He spoke with the woman at the well and healed the sick on the Sabbath.

Likewise, when you have a renewed mind in Christ Jesus. You have the mind of Christ, and you wont do what is not necessarily politically correct or traditional. Having a renewed mind will mean that you will start to walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh. Why? Because you have a renewed mind in Christ. The Bible says, be in the world, not of the world.
Moreover, the mind is set upon a higher level because we are renewed through our connection with the Holy Spirit. Then each of us can say, "Get the shackles off me. I am breaking out of these chains because I have been transformed by the renewing of my mind." Thus, Satan no longer has control over you because the chains have been broken because you have a renewed mind in Christ Jesus. You have stepped into the world, but you are not conformed to the world. You are transformed by the renewing of your mind, and with the Spirit of Christ connected to your spirit, you are a new creature-an original, which cannot be imitated or duplicated. You are in control of your mind, because you have a renewed mind.

You have victory in your mind, power in your mind, joy in your mind, and you are climbing to higher heights. When you have a renewed mind in Christ Jesus, you can walk in the world but not be governed by the environment and standards of the world. You have been created by God an the world can scrape through all the facade and look at the beautiful, powerful, joyful, you, God's original and new creation.
Why? Because you have a renewed mind in Christ Jesus, and if you haven't got it yet!? You get this renewed mind, through Christ Jesus; His Word, the Holy Bible!
Because if you want to know God, you have to know Jesus, and you cant know Jesus, if you don't know your Bible, and its impossible to NOT have a renewed mind after diligently getting into the Word of God, and renewing your mind! Have a BLESSED day! One Love, Jason

Get him out of the box.

Good morning to all. I hope you had a great weekend. I pray that this post helps you but also challenges you as it has me. I am going to be getting very personal with you this morning. I fail sometimes to do the very thing I’m going to be writing about this morning! If we were all honest many of us fail to do so.

You see we limit God sometimes! Jesus is bigger than anything, any problem we face, any unexpected bill we get in the mail, any sickness we may encounter or doctor report we may receive that did not go exactly like we wanted it to. So why do we “myself included” limit God in our lives.

In all the gospels we see a very familiar story about a little boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish. You see this boy had little to offer but when put in Jesus hands he made it a lot! We could look at this story in a lot of ways but one that sticks out to me is how little faith the disciples had. They had been with Jesus and seen him heal the blind, lame and sick but when they seen all these people following behind sit on the mountainside in Galilee, they questioned themselves how will we feed all of them. They looked at a problem instead of a solution! Jesus Christ was sitting right beside them probably resting because he had been teaching all day. Scripture says in John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” The disciples questioned themselves.

This is such a problem in our everyday journey through life. We serve a humongous God and he is all powerful and supreme! So why do we limit him? You see we as believers do the same thing the disciples done. We look at how big our problems are instead of how big God is! We all have done this at one time or another. If you say you have not you probably have a problem with lying. I’m convinced if the disciples had been concerned with feeding there spiritual hunger this problem would not have seemed so big. You see Jesus wanted his followers to seek him for himself, and not for what he could do for them. You see we serve an in control God in an out of control world! We all need to believe that through the lowest of lows we serve the highest of highs! In John 16:33 Jesus said in this life we will have trouble, notice he said we will, not we might! So when a problem comes your way look up and smile Jesus is with you DO NOT FEAR. Joshua 1:9 Have a Jesus Christ filled day! With Love Jason

Digging for dirt or gold?

I would like to start out today’s post with a question I think we all need to answer. Are you going for dirt or gold? Let me explain. Encouragement is a great thing; we all like it and want more of it. In a very negative world encouragement is hard to locate. It seems like everyone’s out to get dirt on somebody. We see it in Hollywood everyday, it also happens in the workplace and yes even churches all across this country. The fact of the matter is some people would like to see you screw up more than see you succeed. I know it’s sad but these types of people are not happy and they screw up so much they like to see you screw up just to make them feel better. (Pray for these types of people that Christ would change their hearts.) Thank God not all people are like this. There are still people out their willing to look past the dirt to what’s behind it.. GOLD!

You see gold miners often have to drill through tons of dirt to get to 1 ounce of gold. They are determined to find something great. Lets face it we are all not good people, but we all have positive attributes about us. So realize this, we all have gold behind our dirt but often people would rather see your screw ups than your success. Jesus Christ makes no mistakes and when he created you he created something beautiful and he has an incredible plan for your life. YOU HAVE A PURPOSE! So try today to look at the positives in each other; people you work with, family, friends etc. Look past the dirt we all have it and look for the gold we have it also, Gold is far more brighter than dirt!. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up….” We must encourage not discourage! Encourage one another and smile with love in your heart at someone today. Your smile may be the only one they see all day. With love to ALL. Jason Ashley

Feeling guilty? Let it go today!!

Good morning friends! I worked on this post for about a week or so. It is my prayer that this blog post encourages you and that if you are battling with guilt that you will give that guilt to God. He will take it from you and set you free from guilt. HERE WE GO! Let your guilt go! If you need a little extra boost to make that happen read this paraphrase of Romans Chapter 8 verses 28-39. Read it slowly, maybe even aloud. If this don't light your fire, you got wet wood! So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even point a finger? The One who died for us-who was raised to life for us!-is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? THERE IS NO WAY! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing. Now to God's word Romans 8:28-39. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined he also called;those he called, he also justified;, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, than who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." Psalm 44:22. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul is very clear that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even GUILT! In closing I pray for you that you would trust Jesus to free you from any guilt you may be facing. One Love, Jason Ashley

In God we trust.

Hello! Trusting God is a great adventure. He initially ask us to offer up all that we hold dear and find security in, for the sake of following him. In Genesis 12 we learn this through 2 commands God gives Abram “Leave” and “Go”. Take some time to study Genesis 12 and pay close attention to what God told Abram! Was Abram disobedient or did he trust God enough to just do it? Did he give God the Heisman or did he do as he was instructed? Did he “Leave” and “Go”? Is there an area in your life that you need to leave or is there a step you need to take closer to God? Wrestle with these questions... I did and it rocked me! Enjoy your evening. One Love, Jason

Just walk.

Haven't blogged in a while. I'ts great to be blogging again. I pray this post helps you in some way. If you have asked God in faith to fill you with His Holy Spirit, you can be confident that He has filled you according to His promise. Now you are able to live everyday walking in the fullness of the Spirit He has given you. The Bible compares people to trees; the way to know a good tree is by its fruit, or by the actions of the person: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). God wants every Christian to produce good fruit and has given you the Holy Spirit so that you can live a life like Jesus Christ, one of love and of power.
As a Christian, you must make a continual choice between walking according to the desires of your old self and walking according to the desires of the Holy Spirit. We are told in Galatians 5:16, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” You can learn to walk in the Holy Spirit as you read and obey God’s Word, give thanks to Him in all things, and continually confess yours sins to God and ask for forgiveness. If you want to live your life walking in the Spirit, tell God now that you want Him to teach you. Because it is what He wants for you, you can know that He will do it. One Love, Jason