In the New Testament, there are several progressions toward maturity in Christ. Though it is not stated specifically as such, the most basic would be:

1)   Converts

2)   Disciples

3)   Servants

4)   Friends

5)   Sons

    The Great Commission is to make disciples, not merely converts. With the evangelists’ emphasis on making converts, which is their job, many, and possibly most, converts have stayed at this level because of a lack of follow up. New Testament ministry is a team as seen in Ephesians 4. In the Book of Acts, when an evangelist like Philip ignited the...

     We continue this week with just a few more Scriptures where the Lord gave a definition of what His disciples would be and do.

          “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8 NKJV).

     Not only do disciples bear fruit, but they bear “much fruit.” Jesus is Life, so if we are abiding in Him, life will be multiplying through us.

          "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40...

        Jesus was crucified between two thieves—yesterday and tomorrow. One of these was in bondage to his past—things he had done. The other was in bondage to the future—asking Jesus to remember Him when He came into His kingdom. While on the cross, Jesus honored the second thief’s amazing faith but corrected his understanding. He said, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Many can only see Jesus in the past, the biblical, historical Jesus. Others focus almost entirely on His coming again. Yet to see Him as He is, we must see Him TODAY. His...

         I am still processing all that came out in our recent Harvest Summit.  At the same time, I have been shown things about our upcoming New Year's Convocation, which I don’t think has ever happened this early before. 2015 may well be the most remarkable year in our history, and we must be prepared for what is unfolding. I am getting a lot about what is going to happen, but even more about how to be prepared.

         Even though I am vision-oriented, I don’t think I have ever had this much excitement...

          As we have covered, the church is called to be a family first and then an organization. The cement that holds the living stones together is the love we have for God and for one another. Because “God is love,” everything that God builds is built upon the foundation of love.

          However, God’s love is far greater and higher than human love. There is a basic aspect to God’s love that is often overlooked by those who base their understanding of God’s love on human idealism rather than the Scriptures....