Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. After we’d ordered breakfast and were waiting for Ricky to bring it, Stan mentioned he’d talked with a neighbor who told him about how the person who brought him to faith keeps in regular contact. Stan said it was because of something the apostle Paul did. “What’s that?” I asked.
“There’s an account,” he said, “that Paul and Silas went on a second missionary journey to check on the people who had come to faith to see how they were doing. My neighbor said that’s what happens with him, except it’s done mainly by phone.”
“The guy checks to see how your neighbor’s doing with his faith? That seems like a really good idea.”
“I agree,” Stan replied. “Jesus told us to go and make disciples. It seems to me He wants us to also check on them to see how they’re doing with actually being disciples!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.
And after some days Paul said . . . , “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Acts of the Apostles 15:36.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t go as you intend to tell others about your provision for them to be disciples and I don’t check on others to see how they are doing with their faith. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in not only making disciples but in seeing how they are doing with their faith and discipleship. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Are you a disciple of Jesus by having accepted the life He came to give? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with making disciples and seeing how they are doing with their discipleship? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need not only to be a disciple of Jesus, but to go and make disciples and then to check on them to see how they’re doing? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?