Many would say we have a crisis of discipleship. Do our kids, our teenagers understand the depth of their faith? Do they experience authentic community across generational lines so they know they are part of a team, a platoon of God’s chosen people on a mission to change the world? How successful is the church today in this passing on, this discipleship chain that streams through the generations?

The idea is to receive the sound words of the gospel, this treasure, given to us through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit and pass them on from generation to generation because they are the very words of life.

God has not given us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear or shrinking back from challenge. If that’s the way you’re living, that’s not God’s leading in your life.

Bill is the director of Christ is Life Ministries. a non profit, non-denominational ministry that focuses on discipleship.

Here he talks about some key truths concerning woundedness, the negative impact it has on our lives and the lives of those around us, and what it looks like to engage God to begin the healing process.

Spiritual warfare is real. Realize that we have no power to defeat the enemy on our own. But God has already won the war.

The word authority is something that leaves a sour taste in the mouth; it is important to recognize that Jesus rules much differently than every other ruler. Unlike high ranking government officials he doesn't rule from an ivory tower ordering everyone under him to all the fighting and grunt work. Jesus goes into the trenches. Even though Jesus is our KIng and Judge, He didn't come to shame and condemn. He didn't come to add more burdens or to oppress. And he has the authority to forgive our sins.

God's heart for each of us is to find his rest for our souls. His heart for each of us is to be more aware of his presence, to set our mind at ease. His heart for us is to woo us into his soulful rest. He’s wooing us to his power, his love, to his mercies which are new every morning.God doesn't need anything from us but He has everything we need. We have nothing and bring nothing to the table. But his banqueting table is always spread with his best for us to enjoy. The question is, are we sitting, are we resting at his banqueting table where everything we need has already been provided. Because everything we need is found in him.

As we close the story of Jonah, there is an unwritten epilogue to the story. It is most widely agreed upon that Jonah himself is the writer of the book. Just think about that for a moment. Throughout the book, the prophet Jonah is portrayed as someone who runs from God, is angry with God, who refuses to relent from His stubbornness to God and it never gets resolved. If that were your past would you want to write it down so that generation upon generation would live trying not to be like you? But that’s Jonah. Something happened in his life to where he wanted to tell his story. He wants us to know what God is like, even to those who like Jonah, have a hard time giving in.

Jonah has been running from God throughout this book and he is still running. He is emotional, unhappy, angry, blinded to the truth, selfish. He is in bondage because of his refusal to give in to God and His ways. Yet, God continues to work with him, continues to pursue Him. Even as Christians, we can run from God. Are you running? If so, today’s the day you stop. Receive His grace. Follow his call. Give in. No more regrets. No more wasted days.