Mission

Monday, January 22                          Matthew 22: 36-40
Great Commandment - Start at the end and note the importance given to these principles. What hangs on them? What is the 1st one? To whom does it have us focus? How often do you clarify your relationship with the Lord your God like this- checking heart, soul and mind? What about the 2nd - loving your neighbor as your self? How are you doing on that one? What is your definition of neighbor? Do you keep it narrow or is it anyone you are near regularly in your life's rhythm? Now consider why all of God's Law and the Prophets hinges on these 2 commandments?

Tuesday, January 23                      Matthew 28: 19-20
Great Commission - What is the first verb, action word in this passage? Is it passive or an order? Have you ever received a command that was difficult for you? What compels you into action? This is a clear final, mandate from Jesus as He is ascending into Heaven to be seated at the right hand of God - does that make it a more powerful message? Was it just for the eleven disciples standing there or is it for us as well? List the other actions He commands.
What assurance does He give in the final sentence? When we "go" are we alone?

Wednesday, January 24               Luke 12: 12, Joshua 1:9
Great Conversations -Who is promised here for help in speaking for the Lord? How can that help us when we are wanting to speak to someone about Jesus? Have you ever experienced a time when your boldness to speak up has produced a great conversation about Spiritual matters? God is all-knowing and puts us together with others purposefully - ask Him for the right words and the right situation and He will prepare the hearts to whom you are feeling His urging to reach.
Read the Joshua 1:9. What encouragement can we take from this verse? When and where is He promising to be with us?

Thursday, January 25                  1Peter 3:15, Col 4: 5 & 6
Great Compelling Commands - Peter exhorts readers to always be ready. What is it we need to have prepared? Why? Are missions only in foreign countries? What are your current daily mission fields? In Colossians 4:5, Paul tells believers to live wisely and make the most of opportunities; what kind of opportunities is he speaking about? Are you making the most of opportunities presented to you? Verse 6 helps instruct us further on how to do this- what are the components Paul spells out here? Referring back to Luke 12:12, who fuels these conversations? Is knowledge enough? Who gives you the right words to say

Friday, January 26                     John 1:39, 43, 46,48
Come - This place in scripture is describing the beginning of Jesus' ministry and the calling of His disciples. There is a clear contagious pattern that can be tracked through these 3 verses. What does Jesus say in verse 39 to John the Baptist's 2 disciples who were drawn to follow Him? Read on through the passage thru' verse 43, what is happening? How were the other disciples being reached? What does Phillip do? Who is he trying to reach? How does it go? What does he finally say to Nathanael at the end of 48? Is it profound or poetic? Who actually moved in the hearts of these men? They were encouraged and reassured by friends but the Lord does the convincing and the same is true with me & you sometimes all we have to say is,"Come and see for yourself"!!