Tag: faith

Disciple WI & UP! ~ Disciple Making Movements Network

We are a Disciple Making Movements (DMM) network of marketplace and ministry leaders, uniting everyday disciples of Jesus with a vision to see teams of 2 or more praying, disciple-making catalysts for every county of WI and the UP to see movements birthed here that will spread to the most unreached around the world.

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Let the Power Flow

It’s been a while since I’ve written an original for the blog—but today, I felt so inspired, I couldn’t not write!

Last night, Sweet Bridget and I experienced a temporary power outage at our home. Morning arrived, and it was time to get our cars out of the garage. That door wasn’t going to open itself. So I pulled the red emergency cord to detach the door from the mechanism and lifted it manually.

No worries. Until I tried to reattach the door to the track so it would be ready to rise automatically again once power was restored.

I applied so much force to get that latch back into the correct groove. Push, pull, and try as I might, I kept getting really close and falling short of my goal.

I got close—so close!—but couldn’t get the latch to catch.

I tried in the dark.
I tried with a flashlight.
I tried from the ground.
I even tried balancing on an upright cinder block (hint: not OSHA-approved).

Tonight, with the power restored, I brought out a ladder thinking a new angle might be the key to success. From my fresh vantage point, I kept pushing, adjusting, aligning. Nothing.

Until I paused to consider… what if I stopped trying to force it?

What if I stopped pushing and pulling altogether?

What if I let it be and simply activated the door?

I stepped away and pressed the button, thinking I may need to run back over and spring into action to save the whole system from self destructing.

Instead, the chain began to move—click—the mechanism aligned perfectly. The latch caught.

The door moved as designed. I had been straining in the dark, but all I needed was to let the power flow.

I learned a thing or two from this power outage.

(Thing 1: ChatGPT was correct. A freezer left sealed will hold its temperature for 8 to 24 hours if it’s at least half full. Handy to know. 😉)

Sometimes I try to do in my own strength what only works when the power is on.

I can stop pushing in my own strength and allow the power to flow!

Where in my life am I striving alone when I believe wholeheartedly that “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)?

When am I turning to prayer last instead of first? Where in my life am I neglecting the power and wisdom of the Spirit altogether?

Where have I been laboring, meaning well with sincere effort… when Jesus is inviting me to pause, to trust, to reconnect—and allow His power to move?

Yes, I can try.
I can push.
I can exert a lot of effort and even appear productive in my energy-draining striving.

But how much greater to pause, to pray, to partner with the Spirit?

I can check in. From a grounded and connected place, I can see more clearly. I can receive what I need. I can believe what’s true. And I can allow His power to flow!

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” ~Zechariah 4:6

Where are you striving today?

Is there a latch you’ve been pushing at for far too long in your own strength?

Where in your life are you pressing hard, maybe even telling yourself you have good reasons—but forgetting to pause and partner with the Spirit?

I pray you pause. Take a breath. Invite the power of the Spirit to move where your strength has reached its limit. And instead choose to trust the One whose energy never fails.

What if what feels like admitting weakness… is actually wisdom?

Let the power flow.

Eurasian collared doves sitting on an electric wire. by Saravanan S, a11n is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Disciple WI & UP! ~ Disciple Making Movements Network

We are a Disciple Making Movements (DMM) network of marketplace and ministry leaders, uniting everyday disciples of Jesus with a vision to see teams of 2 or more praying, disciple-making catalysts for every county of WI and the UP to see movements birthed here that will spread to the most unreached around the world.

Subscribe NOw

Learn more about Disciple WI & UP! and opt in for free resources and opportunities to connect!

Subscribe:

To see past resource emails & subscribe to future updates from Disciple WI & UP! ~ Disciple Making Movement network:

Subscribe now

Born of water + the Spirit

During our season serving a church plant in South Africa, Sweet Bridget and I heard that an elderly woman who lived high in the hills was requesting a pastoral visit. She wanted to be baptized!

While this was certainly a special request, what added even more to this scenario, was the reality that this dear woman was physically disabled—unable to move her feet. Usually, our practice of baptism looks like being fully immersed under water as a picture of dying to sin and coming alive through faith in Christ (Romans 6:1-5)! We often celebrate baptism publicly, surrounded by friends and family, to announce our new life in Jesus and to commit to support new believers on their spiritual journey ahead.

We also recognized that Scripture uses the symbol of water being poured to depict the cleansing and forgiveness that Jesus provides, which has led some faith traditions to sprinkle with water in baptism (Ephesians 5:25-27, Hebrews 10:19-23).

Prepared with a water bottle in hand, we made the trek up to her hut.

Photo by QNV on Pexels.com

When we arrived, she explained: “I’ve believed in Jesus, so I have been born of the Spirit, but I haven’t been water baptized! The Bible says unless we are born of water and the Spirit, we cannot enter the kingdom of God! I’m afraid. I don’t want to die and go to Hell.”

She was referring to the words of Jesus about being born again (John 3:3-8). We were encouraged to let her know she definitely had already been born of water! In fact, every human being has been. When the water breaks and we emerge from our mothers, we are born of water.

Jesus emphasized the need to also be born supernaturally by the Spirit through faith in Him! Once we have been born again by giving our lives to Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, a next step of obedience is to be water baptized to demonstrate we are His followers (Acts 2:36-39).

The next step for this dear woman was to affirm that her faith rested in Jesus alone to save her and to bring her safely home to Himself (1 Peter 1:18-21). 

Have you trusted in Jesus as your Leader and Forgiver?  Have you been water baptized to demonstrate you are following Him (Matthew 3:13-17)?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Where Each Story Leads…

Over the past weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve shared a series of messages through the inspiring stories retold in Hebrews 11 called Incredible Faith.

Here’s the capstone message…

We revisit these messages from past weeks and the central theme behind each…

~Incredible Faith is Something I’ve Never Done Before.

~Seeking the Father Heart of God

~Incredible Faith: Noah

~Incredible Faith: Abraham & Sarah

~Incredible Faith: Joseph

~Incredible Faith: Moses

It all points to a powerful truth nestled in Hebrews 12:1-2…

Photo by Bianca G. on Pexels.com

-What joy propels you? 

-What risk is before you?

Incredible Faith – Moses

In the life of Moses, we discover that we are called to live by faith, having the courage to…

  1. Follow the unseen plan of God (Hebrews 11:23).
  2. Identify with the people of God (vv. 24-25).
  3.  Embrace the mission of Christ (vv. 26-27). 
  4. Celebrate deliverance before it comes (v. 28).
  5.  Step out in obedience (v. 29). 
Photo by Mat Reding on Pexels.com

Incredible Faith – Joseph

If you had to pick one thing that stands out to you from the life of Joseph, what would it be?

In Hebrews 11:22, the Holy Spirit highlights one thing… one defining scene from the life of this hero of the faith. Before you look it up or listen to the message below, what do you think it is?

Hint: it may not be what you expected!

Did your Joseph highlight reel match what Hebrews 11 underscores?

Did “his bones” even make your top ten list?

What will you leave as your legacy for future generations?

Photo by Andreas Fickl on Pexels.com

“Go!” said the LORD.

I started this message on the incredible faith of Abraham & Sarah from Hebrews 11:8-19 with a retelling of Genesis 12:1-4 and 15:3-6.

In what ways does the faith journey of Abraham & Sarah encourage you?

Which parts challenge you?

What is your “I will…” (your next step to “go”)?

Who will you share with what you discovered?

“Abraham, Abraham…” said the LORD.

“LORD, is that You?” Abraham asked.

“Yes, My child,” He responded tenderly. “I have something I want to say to you.”

With eagerness, Abraham shot back, “Well, speak, LORD! I’m listening. I will do whatever You say and go wherever You ask me to go!”

“I know, Abraham. That’s why I’m calling you today. I have put that faith in your heart, so you will trust Me wherever I send you,” He said.

Bubbling over with excitement: “Thank You, LORD! Praise You, LORD! I do trust You. I love You. Thank You for speaking to me and thank You for calling me and thank You for loving me and…”

“ABRAHAM. Abraham,” His strong voice echoed.  “I am calling you… to leave your home country, the people you know, the land you’re accustomed to, even your father’s family – and go!”

“Go? LORD, go where?” the man of faith wondered.

The firm and loving One replied: “Go… to the land I will show you.”

Shaking but believing, His son said, “Go… Okay, go. And You will show me where to go. What should I do in this new land where You are sending me?”

“Abraham, do you trust Me?”

“Yes, LORD! I trust You with all of my heart,” Abraham immediately responded.

“Abraham, I’ll show you what you must do in this new land,” the ever-gracious One said.

Again thinking out loud as he wondered: “What about my wife?”

“Bring your wife with you of course,” the compassionate Father said.

Abraham processed aloud, “When we go to this new land that You will show us and we do what you will tell us to do, what will happen to us?”

“Abraham, do you trust Me?”

Abraham said, “Yes, LORD! I trust You with all I am. And then some… I trust You, because You have taught me and You help me to trust You!”

The LORD promised, “Abraham, I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever speaks against you I will curse. And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. I am going to send the Savior through your family.”

“LORD, I trust You,” the man of God confessed.  “I believe what You say is true. At the same time, You have given me no children, and I am already an old man. My body is as good as dead.”

“Abraham, do you trust Me?”

“Yes, LORD! Oh, I trust You,” Abraham said from the deepest part of his being.  “You are God, and You can be fully trusted always. Everything You do is good, and everything You say is true and right.”

With a gentle hand, the LORD lifted his son’s gaze heavenward: “Abraham, look up and count the stars. If you can…” He said with a love-laced chuckle.  “This is how many children your family will have. Every person who believes in My Messiah will join your family of faith. Because you believe, you are right with Me, and we are close friends.”

“LORD, let’s go,” His son Abraham responded, exploding with anticipation.  “I will listen. I will follow You. I will… Wherever You lead, let’s go together.”

“Yes, Abraham, I will be with you every step of the way. I will always keep My promises to you – no matter what happens. I will speak to you, and you will follow Me. And you will speak My words to others. Let’s go,” said the LORD. “For I will be with you.”

 (A retelling of Genesis 12:1-4 and 15:3-6)

Incredible Faith – Noah

What does faith look like? In fact, what in the world is it?

~Is it something etherial that’s near impossible to wrap our arms around?
~Is it just superstition, something we muster up in an attempt to be spiritual?

Or is it something quite powerful that we can experience, express, and walk out every day?

If you know me, you probably know my answer.

Hebrews 11 is chock full of examples of people who lived, loved, and walked by faith!

Today, I got to share a message about one of these everyday people, who lived with incredible faith, and how faith changed his life, his family, and the course of human history…

Artwork: “The Celebration” by Tom duBois

Hebrews 11 is chock full of examples of people who lived, loved, and walked by faith!

What stands out most to you from the story of Noah and his family?

How will you apply these discoveries in your life? Who will you share with?

Something I’ve Never Done Before

Growing up, our parents would often send us to camp or on field trips with disposable, single-use cameras. I remember the excitement of waiting for the film to be developed and ready for pick up!

As I prepared a message from Hebrews 11 this Sunday (6/14), “Something I’ve Never Done Before,” part of a series called Incredible Faith, I reflected on the power of remembering that pictures provide us…

I took a walk down Memory Lane with a photo album, I dug out of a storage bin.

As a kid, I think I looked so longingly toward getting those pictures developed, because they allowed me to remember and to retell the stories!

What are some family pictures that are most meaningful to you and your loved ones?

What memories do you plan to hold onto, as long as you live? Are there any that you hope to retell in eternity?

As a kid, I think I looked so longingly toward getting pictures developed, because they allowed me to remember and to retell the stories!

Photo by Magdalena from StockSnap