Little Things
“There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord; but few of us willing to do little things… Look at that wonderful sermon that [Jesus] preached to that lone woman at the well of Samaria. He was tired and weary, but he had time and the heart to preach to her. This is but one of many instances in the life of the Master from which we may learn a precious lesson. If the Son of God had time to preach to one soul, cannot every one of us go and do the same?”
… Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899)
The Real Business of Life
“The Glory of God, and, as our only means of glorifying Him, the salvation of human souls, is the real business of life.”
—C. S. Lewis
Distance Makes No Difference
“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”
… Robert Murray M’Cheyne
“Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.”
Hebrews 7:25 CSB
https://bible.com/bible/1713/heb.7.25.CSB
True Peace
“True peace comes not by a retreat from the world but by the overpowering presence of Christ in the heart.”
A.W. Tozer
Church Closings
Met with three churches that are facing the decision to close the doors for good this week. 25 churches per year close in Louisiana. Replant rate is about 7 per year. Some are no longer viable due to location. Most simply wait too long to address key issues related to decline. Replant ready pastors, planters, and partner churches needed.
Looking fwd to the Revive Summit with Richard Blackaby and Mark Clifton and the NAMB Replant Team, September 9-10 in Lafayette. More info and Register: https://louisianabaptists.org/event/revive-summit-lafayette/
Six Years with the Bible Memory App
I’ll celebrate six years of daily engagement with the Bible Memory App this week. This App has been a great spiritual growth companion. Desiring to be more devoted to scripture memory, I downloaded several apps and the Bible Memory App stuck with me. I begin each day and end each day by reviewing 5-7 verses. I also add new verses and review memorized verses from my daily devotional reading each morning. Then, throughout the day, as I have occasion (waiting in line, etc.) I jump on and review a few verses.
In six years, this App has helped me master over 2,000 verses. I’ve also utilized the app to take on the challenge of memorizing large chunks of scripture including the Sermon on the Mount and the book of 1 John and several entire chapters. This habit has also helped me as a witness and a preacher as verses are more readily recalled and I’m always ready when asked to share without a lot of opportunity to prep.
Why invest time in Bible Memory?
- Jesus Did. He quoted scripture in response to temptation and his teachings are full of obvious Old Testament references.
- The Disciples Did. As a matter of fact, part of the duty of a called disciple was to memorize their teacher’s teachings. They did and thus we have the Gospels and the New Testament letters.
- The Bible Tells Us To. We are commanded to meditate and to hide the word in our hearts.
- The Word of God is Power. It never returns void. It has the power to save souls. It’s sharper than any sword. And it will endure for all eternity.
- It’s better than any alternative. What else would you do with that 15-35 minutes per day? Doom scroll on social media? TV? Consider the comparative impact on your soul with any other use of time.
So, if you’re a disciple of Christ, and have not yet developed a rhythm of Bible Memory, try out the Bible Memory App. Here are a few articles I’ve written over the last six years about how and why to get started:
- Cultivating the Habit of Scripture Memory – Link
- Why and How to Memorize Scripture – Link
- Getting Started with the Bible Memory App – Link
This App will not click with everyone. That’s ok. Find another way to develop this soul-sustaining habit of scripture memory. Bible memory is a great adventure that you’ll never regret.
The PRO version of the Bible Memory App is only $9.99. Get 20% or a couple bucks off with this link – PRO.
Mid-Year Spiritual Checkup
This year is now halfway gone! Unbelievable! Here’s a list of questions I journal through annually for a Mid-Year Spiritual Checkup:
- Has my devotional life been consistent?
- Has my prayer closet or private room seen me regularly?
- Have I gathered and prayed with other believers regularly?
- What Bible reading plan have I followed or completed? Do I need to restart or start fresh in Bible intake this week?
- What verses or truths have been especially meaningful so far this year?
- What books or articles have been especially helpful so far this year?
- What personal growth or victory can you thank God for?
- What victory or challenge do I need to seek God for?
- Who have I sought out for wise counsel? Have I ignored or heeded the counsel of others so far this year?
- How many times have I shared the Gospel?
- How many lost people am I currently praying for?
- How many new relationships have I built with potential new disciples?
- Who am I currently discipling and training into godliness and disciple making?
- Who am I encouraging through difficulty and affliction?
- What have I given away? Have I been faithfully generous with money? Time? Possessions? Words? Wisdom?
- What is working? What is exciting? What has momentum? What is bearing fruit?
- What is not working? What does it seem like I am pushing up a steep hill? What do I need to give up on? What is robbing me of energy?
- What have I neglected? What have I ignored? What am I hoping will just disappear on its own? (But I know it won’t)
- What is worth doing, but I’m out of my league? What do I need more power, prayer, people to help with?
- Check screen time on my phone. What does it say about my heart and priorities? What does my internet history say about my heart and priorities?
What questions would you add to this list?
Back from Zim + How many migrants live near you? + Are we a church for the unchurched?
Travelogue: I arrived home Thursday from an amazing 12 days in Zimbabwe Africa. See some pics HERE. Global Life Ministries plants churches, trains leaders, and supports ministries from one of the poorest parts of the country. An amazing team, led by Peter Mabasa, who are radically serving and sharing the gospel making a huge impact. You don’t have to be a big, wealthy church to make a big impact. You just have to be willing to say Yes to Jesus.
Research: 4.1 million migrants: Where they’re from, where they live in the U.S. – LINK. (FYI: You can view this once and then you get a paywall, so make time for interacting with it before you click)
- Scroll down to an interactive map that allows you to type in your Parish/County and see how many immigrants have settled near you.
- Commentary: For the Disciple Maker, this should not be political. We should see this as an opportunity. God is bringing the nations to our doorstep. May we be faithful to find ways to reach and disciple them.
Article: Are you a church for the unchurched? 4 Questions – LINK
- Is your marketing targeted toward the unchurched?
- Is your service designed to generate intuitive invitations?
- Is your message simply proclaiming the Christian message or actually explaining it?
- Did any of these questions make you defensive?
Reading, etc.
- Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment without Burnout
- Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God’s Face by Daniel Henderson
Next Week:
- Looking forward to kicking off a Send Network Louisiana Summer Luncheon Tour across Louisiana – LINK.
His Swift Word
“He sends his command throughout the earth; his word runs swiftly.”
Psalms 147:15 CSB
https://bible.com/bible/1713/psa.147.15.CSB
“If God’s word runs very swiftly, then it can even overtake those who run away from it. Not only can the Lord come quickly to those who seek him, but he can overtake those who hasten away from him.” (Spurgeon)
Lord, let your word overtake our prodigals, our rebels, our lost but loved ones.
I also love the Message Paraphrase of this verse:
“He launches his promises earthward— how swift and sure they come!“
https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.147.12-18.MSG
