Category: Be Inspired

Citizens of God’s kingdom take seriously the call to develop and equip leaders. Jesus devoted much of his earthly ministry to choosing, training, and commissioning leaders. Following Jesus’ resurrection, these leaders, led by the Holy Spirit, identified, mentored, and sent additional leaders. As a result, the church grew in unity, maturity, and in numbers.

The Spirit continues to gift some within the Church to be shepherd-leaders of God’s “flock.” Existing leaders have the responsibility to equip and support these emerging leaders by providing training, mentoring and coaching with an eye toward multiplying disciple making leaders.

And healthy multiplication naturally leads to leadership transitions. Learn more in this Church Hack.

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Kingdom Living involves multiplication.

Healthy churches multiply healthy leaders. The multiplication of leaders inevitably leads to leadership transitions.

Watch the full ceremony here.

In case you missed it: watch the interview with Randy Bloom, Greg, and Heber. They explain the discernment process behind these decisions and the care taken in preparing for this transition.

What did Jesus mean when he told us to ask “in his name?”

As our mediator, Jesus is one with humanity (and you and me), and he is one with the Father. This means when we pray, we are one with the Father through Jesus. Our prayers are not only in Jesus but also in the Father.

For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:5-6

As a part of my kingdom living, I have tried remembering this as I pray to the Father. I haven’t been just tagging “in Jesus’ name, amen” on the end of my prayers. Instead, I am consciously focusing on the fact that my prayers are being lifted to and through Jesus to the Father. As I pray, I am looking at Jesus and, through him, to the Father.

At the same time, I am consciously listening for the Father to respond back through Jesus to me.

I may still conclude my prayer with “in Jesus’ name, amen,” but it has more meaning as I have focused on connecting with the Father through Jesus during the entire prayer.

Prayer
Father, thank you that Jesus is our mediator — one with you and one with us. Thank you that we have a direct connection to you through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Amen

By Glen Weber, Elder Emeritus
Aurora, CO, US

Citizens of God’s kingdom understand that obedience is rooted in God’s goodness and love. Obedience reflects our trust in God. It’s our faithful response to God’s love, expressed by our trust and participation in God’s mission.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5–6 NRSVUE

Learn more about obedience in this Healthy Church Buzz.

In September, we held our youth camp with 90 campers and 17 staff members from our congregations. Our theme was “Trust Him and Follow His Way,” based on Proverbs 3:5–6. Together, we explored the important question, “Who is our God?”

The campers joined in worship, group discussions, and small group fellowship. They also enjoyed games, sports, Biblical drama, and group presentations. Each camper had an opportunity to share an individual testimony and what God was teaching them.

It was a joyful and meaningful time of learning, fellowship, worship, and growing in faith. We pray that these young people will continue to trust God and obey him, following his way in their daily lives.

By Amiyo Bacher, Facilitator
Satkhira, Khulna, Bangladesh

So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
“Fellow Israelites and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.” Acts 13:16–18 NRSVUE

For as long as I can remember, I read and heard this passage as describing God enduring the wailing and lamenting Israelites as if they were a great burden for him.

In Luther’s German Bible translation (2017), it says: “And for forty years he bore them in the wilderness.” The MacDonald commentary explains: “he took care of their needs.” Of course, I knew that God wouldn’t let them starve — they had food, water, and shoes that didn’t wear out.

But after reading Deuteronomy 1:31, a light bulb went on for me. “Then you saw that the Lord your God bore you as a man carries his son, all over the path that you have walked until you came to this place.” I never realized how close and intimately he was connected to Isreal’s life.

It is so encouraging to read that God carried his people as a father carries his son. I can’t remember ever reading it that way!

Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for seeing us as your beloved children, never as a burden. Spirit, fill us with your compassionate love so that, through Christ, we may care for others with kindness and grace. Give us strength to bear with those who are weary, remembering that you faithfully carry us all in your loving arms. Amen.

Tammy Tkach, Assistant Pastor
River Road, Oregon, US

Adapted from an article, He Took Care of Them, on the GCI Germany blog.

Citizens of God’s kingdom extend a generous welcome to others. Our welcome bears witness to the reality of their membership and inclusion in God’s family. We are not the gatekeepers of Jesus’ kingdom. Inclusion doesn’t equal assimilation, total agreement, nor uniformity. Communicating welcome and inclusion affirms to each person: you are loved, you are worthy of belonging, you are an image-bearer of God.

Check out this Church Hack for practical and applicable ways to foster welcome.

Kingdom Culture congregations create spaces for genuine welcome. We begin with fun activities, like you will see below. But it doesn’t stop there. With intentionality and discernment, we hope to shepherd our neighbors from fun, hangout spaces toward belonging and discipliship.

Check out these examples of welcoming spaces:

• • • A carnival welcoming neighbors through fun and hospitality
    • A neighborhood event creating connections with local families
    • A neighborhood Game Night creating a low-barrier space for friendship to bloom
    • A community picnic with relationship-building beyond Sunday worship

River Road, Oregon, US

Pico Rivera, California, US

Steele Creek, North Carolina, US

Grove City, Ohio, US

 

Jesus said to [the disciples], “Come and have breakfast.” John 21:12 NIVUK

After seeing the resurrected Jesus, several disciples returned to fishing. They worked all night on the Sea of Tiberias and caught nothing. Their empty nets remind us that effort alone cannot guarantee fruitfulness; sometimes God brings us to the end of ourselves so we can recognise his provision.

At daybreak, Jesus stood on the shore. He came after their long struggle, when their strength was spent. God’s timing often differs from ours, but his provision arrives when it is needed.

Jesus told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (verse 6). They obeyed, and the result was an overflowing catch. The miracle came not through greater skill, but through trusting Jesus’s word.

When they reached shore, Jesus already had fish and bread prepared. He did not need their catch yet invited them to bring some of it. This is grace: Jesus provides what we need and still invites us to share in his work.

Then Jesus said, “Come and have breakfast” (verse 12). The risen Lord served his friends. The greatest provision was not the fish, but Jesus himself — his presence, fellowship, and care.

The disciples began with empty nets but ended with abundance and renewed recognition of Jesus. The same Lord still provides today. He calls us to trust his timing, obey his voice, and receive the fellowship he offers.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for seeing our empty nets and for providing exactly what we need. Help us trust your timing, to obey your voice, and value your presence above every blessing. Teach us to depend on you in every season of life. Amen.

By Barry Robinson, Deputy National Leader, UK & Ireland

Adapted from GCI UK & Ireland Blog

Citizens of God’s kingdom understand the relationship between Jesus and the Church, his Body, as one of groom with bride. And we eagerly look forward to this glorious wedding supper.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7

Learn more about this relationship below. Read an excerpt from “Images of the Church” by Gary Deddo. The full article is here.

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One important image that supplements our understanding of the relationship between Jesus and the Church, his Body, is one of groom with bride. This image points out a very personal, deep, life-long, intimate, and fruitful relationship. Here are a few key scriptures that use this image:

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. (John 3:29)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Rev. 22:17)

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Eph. 5:29-32)

This image indicates a very close, even intimate and personal relationship of Jesus with his church. It also conveys a dynamic, interactive, interpersonal element of relationship. Given other such relational imagery throughout the New Testament, it conveys the idea of a history of relationship that develops and grows, especially from being unmarried, to being betrothed to having the marriage consummated. In the Old Testament there is preparation for this dimension of understanding with God’s relationship with Israel being compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. This is poignantly portrayed in Hosea where Israel’s unbelief and betrayal are compared to adultery. There are also several references in Isaiah and Jeremiah to the people of God as God’s bride.

Again, this image should not be taken alone. It helps us fill out a portrait when put together with the other images. This image, along with the others, is all together illustrative of a deep and complex reality that can’t be reduced to any one word or image. The images synthesize other more literal teaching about God’s relating to his people and what we are told about the history of that relationship culminating in the metaphorical image of the marriage feast of the Lamb depicted in Revelation 19:7-9.