Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

What's the big deal about giving a gift?   "For this perhaps is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave- as a dearly loved brother- especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord." Philemon 15-16 CSB   Have you ever noticed how the choice makes something more valuable? If...

What's the most spiritual thing you do?   "[B]ut without your consent, I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will." Philemon 14 NASB   In the letter to Philemon, Paul has sent Onesimus back to Philemon. Onesimus was one of Philemon's slaves who escaped, and became a Christ-follower while apparently in prison in Rome when he...

Is the Christian faith relevant today?   And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." Mark 5:19 NASB   This story in Mark is a story I talk about often. Jesus came ashore in a place that was a remote part of Israel. They weren't great at keeping the law. He and the disciples came up...

How many different jobs do you think there are?   "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6   Our fifth guiding principle as Followers of One is that there is one mission with many variations. Our mission is to make Jesus known....

Bruce Zoeller is the Owner and Founder of The Christian Advantage. His mission is to "Live a life that points others to the love of Christ. To be an example worthy to follow. To inspire others to use their God-given talents for His glory."  Bruce shares how he seeks to help Christians live their faith in their everyday lives through his ministries—The Christian Advantage and Business Ministry Init...

Who has authority over the choices you make?   "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB   As a community and a group of people, the conversation stops at the Bible. The Bible is our authority. We believe God is powerful enou...

How creative does Jesus expect us to be?   "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB   Our third guiding principle is individual creativity. You're different than anyone ever made. So am I. There will never be another one just like you or me. God does everything differently. So why do we criticize others who don't worship the way we do,...

What's your life vision?   "Jesus said to him, 'If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!'" John 21:22 NASB   I had a friend mention that question the other day. What is your personal vision. I know ministries that have visions, businesses that do. Even a ministry called Family ID challenges families to develop a vision. But what is your personal vision?   When I wa...

What does it mean to do something "in the name of Jesus?"   "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17 NASB   A friend of mine recently talked about core values and he recommended that organizations actually treat them as guiding principles. This is the first core value or guiding principle for Follower of...

Do we hear some commands in scripture through a filter?   "But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28 CSB   I confess I don't love the people who want to change the way I live and the things that are accepted as lawful in my country and city. I get angry when people who are selfish...

Daniel was raised in a Baptist church in a small tight-knit community in West Tulsa. But in March 2022, Daniel realized he wasn't really  following  Jesus. He thought he was doing all of the right things. But it felt like a chore. Then he heard a message about surrender.  When you're in a Jiu-Jitsu match, the goal is to get your opponent to tap out. As a Christian, you have to tap out to God and s...

Do you agonize over deadlines and pressure in your schedule?   "[C]asting all your cares on him, because he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7 CSB   This is another of the "cans" of scripture from Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. Why should we worry and be upset when we can cast our cares on God? Do you have any worries or cares? Do you sense pressure in your schedule? In my own situation...

Do you see yourself as being in a battle?   "You are from God, little children and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 NASB   When terrorists attacked the United States on 9/11, I was shocked out of my self-centered, comfortable life to some degree. For years leading up to that day, I has been pretty absorbed in my career. That day, I re...

Have you ever given someone a bad idea?   "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist of which you have heard that it is coming and now it already is in the world." 1 John 4:2-3 NASB   Ideas can come to us from anywhere. But we...

Do you listen to every idea that pops into your head?   Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 NASB   We can't believe everything we hear or even think. Much of what we hear or think may be ideas suggested from a false spirit or teaching from a false prophet. A prophet is some...

Would you say you live in the fast lane?   "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV   Do you remember the Eagles song, Life In The Fast Lane? There was a line in that song, "Everything, All the time." The song wasn't a good Christian hymn. It was a rock and roll anthem for a ve...

Most people don't realize that their biggest problem in life is that they aren't living out their purpose. That's why Mark Delaney and his wife run an eight-week Purpose Mastermind, designed to help people get back the life they were made for. Mark meets with people to talk about their purpose and help them take steps toward it. They go from being lost in the wilderness to walking the path to purp...

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of...

Do you feel confused or defenseless?   "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?" Psalm 27:1 NASB   Why would we feel lost or helpless when we have the Lord? We're reminded in this verse that he is our light and our salvation and our defense. We don't have to shrink back.   What areas do you find yourself uncertain about? Are...

Where is God challenging you? What keeps you from acting?   For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:3 NASB   We have each been given a measure of faith. So why would we lack the faith to live for Christ? Do you think...

Damian Gerke is a leadership coach and the author of three books: " In the Way: Church As We Know It Can Be a Discipleship Movement (Again) ," " Taking the Lead: What Riding a Bike Can Teach You About Leadership ," and " Are You Who You Want to Be? " In this episode of Follower of One, Damian shares why he wrote each book and what Christians can learn from them. More importantly, he shares how eac...

Do you see possibilities or obstacles?   "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and sound judgment." 2 Timothy 1:7 CSB   I'm reading a list of "can's" from Victory Over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. The third "can" asks us why would we fear when God's Word says we haven't been given a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound judgment.   Fear paralyzes us. Fear of fa...

Does God really supply all our needs?   "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 ESV.   In the book Victory Over The Darkness by Dr. Neil Anderson, this is the 2nd of the 20 "Cans" he lists on pages 115-117. I confess I don't trust this verse as much as I might like to for a couple of reasons:   First, as an American, I have tr...

Do you catch yourself getting down about what you can't do?   "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 NASB   Many people see this passage as some promise from God that we can do anything. But that's not an accurate representation of this idea based on the context if this passage. At the time he wrote this Paul was in prison. He wasn't able to do many things.   His th...

How does it make sense that Jesus said we will do greater works?   "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12 ESV   If we believe in Jesus, we will do the works that he does. That's big enough! But Jesus goes on and adds "greater works" too. How is it that we'll do great...