Develop Difference Makers

 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. - Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)

The Great Commission gives us the disciple-making formula.  We have been referencing it for years.  We have used it for our mantra in evangelizing the entire world, putting much of our focus on the going and baptizing with regards to all nations and unto the end of the world. 

What about the teaching part?

. . . and teach all nations. . .
. . . Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. . .

Our discipleship process should make a difference.  It should make a difference in the people who are discipled by us.  It should make a difference in them as they become fishers of men.  It should make a difference in them to the point where they make a difference in the world around them.  We, as the body of Christ, are to develop difference makers.

Get ideas and insights on how to develop difference makers:

• Outreach Magazine
• Urban Ministry
• Life Church
• Relevant  Magazine

We need today's Christian to be able to sort through the muck and the mire.  We need Christians who will know what is truth and what is false, calling out the false prophets and standing for the truth.  We need Christians who are not blinded by the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, MTV and other fantasies.  We need people who will stand upright as the world goes astray, working in this ministry of reconciliation.  We need Christians to serve as Christ's army.

Read the likes of J.C. Ryle, Francis Chan, Oswald Chambers, Watchman Nee, William Wilberforce, and William Carey.  Try to get a hold of the works of Hudson Taylor, Richard Allen, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Al Sharpton.  Look into men like William Tyndale, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and John Bunyan.  Let the words of these men sink into your heart, mind and soul.  See how they made a difference.  See how others taught and trained them.  See how you can develop others to make a difference.

Learning While Leading

"A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation."

- A.W. Tozer

Run-ins can lead to your ruin.
Conflicts can combat your consecration.
Divisions can diabolically divide your direction.
Problems can plague your position.

What we have to do is learn how to lead while leading.  Christendom is no exception.  The way we select and choose our leaders can also impact and influence how we support and strengthen them in leadership.  A warm body can lead to a live target.  We should not charge someone with leading the way, and then dig in our heels with conflicts, challenges and confrontations that object to where they are leading us and bully them by stating and reiterating who put them in position and can put them in their place.

Moses learned while leading. Imagine if there had been a written job description detailing the opposition and objections that he would have faced.  He would have offered more than the limited excuses he shared before the burning bush about not going back to Egypt.

Look at David when the men who were unwanted but willing came to join him.  He could have turned them away, relating his turmoil of being a hunted man by his father-in-law and boss, the king of Israel, but he didn't. King David had led sheep, so he learned how to lead these men and how to lead as king later. He learned more and more while leading them.

Our Christian leaders learn while serving.  Studying will help them.  Prayer will focus them.  Fasting and meditation will concentrate them.  Serving will help them to lead.

Moving Beyond Four Walls

The dynamics of ministry are not merely regulated to the church building. Ministry must move beyond the confines of the four walls of the church. By breaking down the barriers to true ministry, we are able to serve the wants and needs of others through both words and our works.

John the Baptist and Paul both led "external"ministry and missionary work that took place outside of the church. The Lord prepares us for such work. Even the internal work of the church prepares us through prayer, Bible study, and discipleship with other training. Look below to see one way God gets things done on the outside through us.

Three-Way Ministry Approach:

1. From God: our service is for His glory.
2. Through man: our service is directed from God the Father, conducted with Christ and fueled by the Holy Spirit.
3. To the world: the aim of our service is to bring others closer to God through Christ and His offer of salvation.

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Operation Reach Out embarks on a new venture this fall with "Giving Thanks by Giving Back."

Life Beyond the Norm

We are to live as "ambassadors" of Christ. People come to know Christ through those who profess to already know Him. Imagine that our witness can make or break a connection between someone and the Lord. Think about the old adage about not having an opportunity to make a second impression. Christians are to go beyond whatever the media and others have perpetrated as Christianity. We can be the actual flesh and blood of Christianity, living like Christ in our daily lives. Think about the gravity of such a responsibility and remain committed to living like Christ as you continue to live in Christ.

Some books that can help:
My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers
The Soul Winner, Charles H. Spurgeon
He Chose Nails, Max Lucado

Since We've Started (The Journey of Life Path)

God has been so gracious to allow us time to reflect and look back at what we started and how far we have come thus far. When I consider the fear that held my dreams in 2006, I am thankful for the challenge of faith that came about in 2007 that made Life Path Ministries & Services more than a dream. I was sparked by Isaiah 61:1-2 to take a long, hard look at my christian walk and what I had really been offering God as my service. It was through much study and prayer as well as wise counsel from both friends and elders that has made me sure of what I have offered through Life Path as my best effort.

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

- Proverbs 16:3

Visit the following sites to learn more about
Life Path Ministries & Services:

www.ministriesinaction.com
www.lulu.com/lifepath/
http://lifepathministries.christianarchives.org
www.myspace.com/lifepathevents/

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
-Frederick Douglass

FYI: Lamentations in the Storm, my latest book of poetry, has been delayed due to some publishing challenges. Please be in prayer that these matters can be resolved by March.