Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

and rested!

Here it is. A reference to our ministry. I struggle with the term full-time minister and full-time ministry. Because I have to earn my living from our economic process, I was never in a good position to quit my job. I could never get a church to hire me anyway. But the term full-time minister simply implied that I was part-time. And I've never liked the idea of being part-time in my faith. 

This passage says that God reconciled us and then he gave us the ministry of reconciliation. There you have it. You're a minister. We've talked before about how the Greek word often translated minister can also be translated service or servant. God gave us the service of reconciliation. You're a minister. 

This is talking about how we are reconciled to Jesus. In verse 19, he says that our trespasses are not counted against us. Jesus paid for our sin. Oswald Chambers said that we don't go to hell for the bad things we've done. We go to hell because we don't trust Jesus. God's side of the reconciliation is done. All we need to do now is help others trust Jesus. That is the ministry of reconciliation.

However, I don't think it is any accident that reconciliation, not compromise, but a win-win reconciliation between people also seems to be what our world needs. During this political season let's be reconcilers - people who look for win-win situations rather than win-lose or lose-lose situations. Let's try to find ways to demonstrate to our friends on differing points in the political spectrum, that we all need something bigger than our own opinions. We need a Savior. Let's practice living that life instead of just talking about it too. 

Thanks for being a minister of reconciliation. Check out the Marketplace Mission Trip at MarketplaceMissionTrip.com to learn more about our 2-week boot-camp to practice our ministry of reconciliation on the mission field where we work and live. 

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

How does the Holy Spirit testify for us? Do others ask you about your actions or your faith? If others don't ask, it may be something in your life. God may want you to obey him in a particular way in your life. When we are led by God, God uses us. We become His children, His heirs, and the people He uses to make Himself visible. Could there be an area of your life that needs some work? If you sense God wants to work on an area in your life, work on it today. We expect you will receive some encouragement and the Holy Spirit will begin to testify with your spirit. God will put you to work. Count on it!

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

How does the Holy Spirit testify for us? Do others ask you about your actions or your faith? If others don't ask, it may be something in your life. God may want you to obey him in a particular way in your life. When we are led by God, God uses us. We become His children, His heirs, and the people He uses to make Himself visible. Could there be an area of your life that needs some work? If you sense God wants to work on an area in your life, work on it today. We expect you will receive some encouragement and the Holy Spirit will begin to testify with your spirit. God will put you to work. Count on it!

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

--

In this week's episode of the Follower of One podcast, Mike talks with Tara Savedra. Tara is a speech pathologist in Edmond, OK, and serves God every day. Please welcome her to the community!

Episode Breakdown

1:00 - Meet Tara

1:30 - Tara's Story to Christ

2:55 - Tara's work in Speech Pathology

5:25 - Tara's Thoughts on the Marketplace Mission Trip

7:05 - Takeaways from the Mission Trip

9:25 - Tara's Why

13:20 - Pray for Teachers!

15:00 - Tara's Advice or Marketplace Christians

Shift Your Mindset

Tara talks with Mike about her recent Marketplace Mission Trip experience and how it helped her shift her mindset throughout the two weeks. One of the main things that the Marketplace Mission Trip gives our community is practical tools for being a better minister at your workplace. Tara gives some specific examples of how each day was started, and ended, in a call to God so that he can give us the path we need to take. We need to shift our mindset to start and end each day with him. Let God make the plan because as much as we followers love to plan, God might have a very different idea of how your day will go! 

Always Look to Scripture 

Every challenge we are faced with can be unique and just as cumbersome if given the chance. However, we have the great opportunity to have the "safety net" of God's word behind all of us. Tara speaks to this with Mike. She explains that in everything we do, looking toward scripture could be the difference we need in helping someone. When was the last time you used scripture to come to a better understanding with one another? Do you use scripture to preach, or to find common ground? This is a key aspect of workplace relationships and could be a useful tool in building deeper connections with your colleagues! 

Connect with Tara

Quote

"It is important, whenever we can, to use God's word as we are praying. To share that with the people you pray for!"

Tara's Email

Connect With Follower Of One

Join us over in our Online Community, get social with us; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Listen to our podcast on your way to work and subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Be a part of our next Marketplace Mission Trip!

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

--

In this week's episode of the Follower of One podcast, Mike talks with Tara Savedra. Tara is a speech pathologist in Edmond, OK, and serves God every day. Please welcome her to the community!

Episode Breakdown

1:00 - Meet Tara

1:30 - Tara's Story to Christ

2:55 - Tara's work in Speech Pathology

5:25 - Tara's Thoughts on the Marketplace Mission Trip

7:05 - Takeaways from the Mission Trip

9:25 - Tara's Why

13:20 - Pray for Teachers!

15:00 - Tara's Advice or Marketplace Christians

Shift Your Mindset

Tara talks with Mike about her recent Marketplace Mission Trip experience and how it helped her shift her mindset throughout the two weeks. One of the main things that the Marketplace Mission Trip gives our community is practical tools for being a better minister at your workplace. Tara gives some specific examples of how each day was started, and ended, in a call to God so that he can give us the path we need to take. We need to shift our mindset to start and end each day with him. Let God make the plan because as much as we followers love to plan, God might have a very different idea of how your day will go! 

Always Look to Scripture 

Every challenge we are faced with can be unique and just as cumbersome if given the chance. However, we have the great opportunity to have the "safety net" of God's word behind all of us. Tara speaks to this with Mike. She explains that in everything we do, looking toward scripture could be the difference we need in helping someone. When was the last time you used scripture to come to a better understanding with one another? Do you use scripture to preach, or to find common ground? This is a key aspect of workplace relationships and could be a useful tool in building deeper connections with your colleagues! 

Connect with Tara

Quote

"It is important, whenever we can, to use God's word as we are praying. To share that with the people you pray for!"

Tara's Email

Connect With Follower Of One

Join us over in our Online Community, get social with us; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Listen to our podcast on your way to work and subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Be a part of our next Marketplace Mission Trip!

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

--

After yesterday's verse, Peter and John were flogged. It wouldn't have been pretty. We don't tolerate punishment like that any more in the west. They would have been hit on their bare backs several times with a whip that contained multiple straps of leather. Yet, after it was over, they rejoiced.

Where does the strength to have joy in suffering come from? I don't have a lot of first-hand knowledge. I whine too much. I complain to God about working from home and having to wear a mask. These men convict me. They lined their life up with Jesus so well, that he gave them his supernatural peace and joy. I read about that joy in Philippians 4 and can even recite some of the verses. But I still whine.

What you face today can be a source of joy. I know it because the Bible tells us. These men rejoiced because God considered them worthy to endure this hardship so that Jesus would become visible. Jesus clearly became visible through the life of these men. Jesus will make himself visible to our friends and coworkers through us too if we can do what Peter and John did. They remained faithful, and they obeyed their authority. Strange combination, but it made Jesus visible and gave them great joy.

What's God asking you to do today? Find a way to act, trusting that he will make himself visible. Your plan may not work. Peter and John didn't set out to be flogged that day. But they understood what God is doing and they celebrated to be a part.

Why not join us on the next Marketplace Mission Trip, too. Signup is going on right now. There's no cost to you either. I don't think you'll be flogged. We practice loving our coworkers, customers and vendors for 2 weeks. Jesus shows up and changes us when we do. Go to MarketplaceMissionTrip.com and check it out.

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

--

After yesterday's verse, Peter and John were flogged. It wouldn't have been pretty. We don't tolerate punishment like that any more in the west. They would have been hit on their bare backs several times with a whip that contained multiple straps of leather. Yet, after it was over, they rejoiced.

Where does the strength to have joy in suffering come from? I don't have a lot of first-hand knowledge. I whine too much. I complain to God about working from home and having to wear a mask. These men convict me. They lined their life up with Jesus so well, that he gave them his supernatural peace and joy. I read about that joy in Philippians 4 and can even recite some of the verses. But I still whine.

What you face today can be a source of joy. I know it because the Bible tells us. These men rejoiced because God considered them worthy to endure this hardship so that Jesus would become visible. Jesus clearly became visible through the life of these men. Jesus will make himself visible to our friends and coworkers through us too if we can do what Peter and John did. They remained faithful, and they obeyed their authority. Strange combination, but it made Jesus visible and gave them great joy.

What's God asking you to do today? Find a way to act, trusting that he will make himself visible. Your plan may not work. Peter and John didn't set out to be flogged that day. But they understood what God is doing and they celebrated to be a part.

Why not join us on the next Marketplace Mission Trip, too. Signup is going on right now. There's no cost to you either. I don't think you'll be flogged. We practice loving our coworkers, customers and vendors for 2 weeks. Jesus shows up and changes us when we do. Go to MarketplaceMissionTrip.com and check it out.

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

--

Peter and John basically say they will talk about what they have seen and heard. Their experience with Jesus was first-hand. They were more informed about Jesus than the men judging them. When it come to our own experience with Jesus, we're the authority. We must examine our own story against the scripture, because God won't contradict himself. But once we understand how Jesus has changed us, we can and should speak about our own experience. That's what Peter and John told the authorities, too.

Our challenge is to live a life that proves what we believe. Then, when people ask us about it, just like they asked Peter and John about the 40 year old man who was healed, they speak about their own experience. We don't have to convince anyone about Jesus or the good news. We only need to live a life that demonstrates the joy and excitement of following Jesus, and then, when people ask us, we simply speak for ourselves.

What have you seen and heard about Jesus first-hand? Think about it some more from Wednesday and practice stating it in short, 2-3 sentence explanations. Then, as we live out the first 4 daily activities, we'll be ready when someone asks. We'll get to talk first-hand about what we've seen and heard. When we do, we'll experience great joy knowing Jesus gave us this opportunity and he prepared us, too.

This Sunday afternoon, if you're on the Marketplace Mission Trip, we have a conference call to prepare for week 2. Next week we focus on putting these 5 lessons into practice. If you're not on the mission trip, keep listening and go to MarketplaceMissionTrip.com to sign up for the next trip. It begins November 2. And invite a friend, too. We practice these activities 6 times a year with others so we will develop the habits to practice these 5 daily activities every day of the week. Join us?

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

--

Peter and John basically say they will talk about what they have seen and heard. Their experience with Jesus was first-hand. They were more informed about Jesus than the men judging them. When it come to our own experience with Jesus, we're the authority. We must examine our own story against the scripture, because God won't contradict himself. But once we understand how Jesus has changed us, we can and should speak about our own experience. That's what Peter and John told the authorities, too.

Our challenge is to live a life that proves what we believe. Then, when people ask us about it, just like they asked Peter and John about the 40 year old man who was healed, they speak about their own experience. We don't have to convince anyone about Jesus or the good news. We only need to live a life that demonstrates the joy and excitement of following Jesus, and then, when people ask us, we simply speak for ourselves.

What have you seen and heard about Jesus first-hand? Think about it some more from Wednesday and practice stating it in short, 2-3 sentence explanations. Then, as we live out the first 4 daily activities, we'll be ready when someone asks. We'll get to talk first-hand about what we've seen and heard. When we do, we'll experience great joy knowing Jesus gave us this opportunity and he prepared us, too.

This Sunday afternoon, if you're on the Marketplace Mission Trip, we have a conference call to prepare for week 2. Next week we focus on putting these 5 lessons into practice. If you're not on the mission trip, keep listening and go to MarketplaceMissionTrip.com to sign up for the next trip. It begins November 2. And invite a friend, too. We practice these activities 6 times a year with others so we will develop the habits to practice these 5 daily activities every day of the week. Join us?

This is an encore presentation as we take a summer break from recording. We hope you are well and rested!

--

What does it mean to abide in Jesus? When Mike looks at the vine analogy in John 15, he makes some parallels to everything in our lives. How long do you think a branch lives off of the vine? What do you have or what can you do apart from Jesus and from resting in Him and trusting Him for everything? Let's make a difference in the lives of others because we abide in Jesus and count on Him, not ourselves, for everything.