EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE:
Guest Writer:
Connie Van Horn, N.C.
“How then will they call
on him in whom they
have not believed?
And how are they to
believe in him of whom
they have never heard?
And how are they to hear
without someone preaching?”
-Romans 10:14
Count The Cost & Preach
We are all called to be missionaries. In our community, our homes, and to the unreachable.
The goal is to do God’s will.
In all His great work,
we start with Christ
and we end with Christ.
The goal is Christ.
Nothing turned Jesus away from His purpose. He didn’t get distracted.
He did the good works of the Lord.
We in our own service are not always noticed. Jesus healed the lepers, and not one showed up to thank Him.
Count the cost.
Do not go into ministry thinking you will be popular or rich. Do not let these things divert you.
Jesus says, “You want to follow me?”
Take up your cross daily and die to self.”
Jesus says, “They didn’t like me.”
And (good chance) they won’t
like you either.
You want to follow me?
Count the cost.
Jesus is my prize.
Heaven is my home.
That’s where I long to be.
But do not live your life
thinking heaven is the prize.
Jesus is my inheritance.
Wherever He is, that is my heaven.
Christ is my prize and my gain.
Jesus desires relationship.
Not religion, nor works or looking like the shiny perfect Christian.
This is a big mission,
and every mission
will look different.
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18)
Never give up.
God will surely get justice to his chosen people who prayed with him day and night. Do not try to win. Just try to finish.
Keep the strife and keep your
heart set on the prize.
It’s not impossible.
What is impossible from a human perspective it’s very possible with God. You don’t win the race by speed, you win by standing long-winded and being able to finish, pace yourself, and stay with it.
Don’t get distracted. Approach God with an attitude of acceptance, faith, and trust. It is not the ability to start strong, but rather the determination to finish well.
God is not looking for a perfect body. He’s looking for a willing heart.
Fight the good fight of faith
and stay on the path.
Build everything on Christ
Always pray and never give up.
Peter and the other disciples paid a high price to follow Jesus. Jesus told them that following Him has benefits and sacrifices. If you’ve given up something to follow Jesus you will be paid back in this life and in the next. God offers a secure relationship with Him. Don’t dwell on what you give up. Think about what you have gained
and give thanks.
Listen to God’s voice.
Pray for wisdom.
(James 1:5)
Even when the world tells me to stand over here, Jesus tells me not to move, stand firm.
Nehemiah said I can’t come down. I’m staying on the wall because I’m doing a good work.
God says, “stand here.”
They tried to get him down off the wall, but he obeyed God. Do not be pulled apart by the world. Be persistent and patient.
Not everyone will understand. They will tell you to move. God says,
“stand here I’m doing a good work.”
Never give up. Have a loving heart, kindness, and courage. But he who endures to the end will be saved
(Matthew 10:16-22)
So this is God‘s promise.
Do not give up.
Stay on the path. Persevere.
Stay the course. Do not get distracted.
Be still. Don’t move. Be tenacious and stable. Be strong and courageous, be not afraid and run with patience and endure hard things as a soldier of Christ.
(Joshua 1:9)