What exactly did Jesus do with his disciples during his Galilean ministry?

1. He served with them.
2. He experienced ministry with them.
3. He faced opposition with them.
4. He discipled hearts while with them.
5. He revealed himself and his plan.

Don Downs shares how Jesus faced his incredible task and how in just three years He was able to change the course of 12 men and the history of the world.

Against incredible odds, in just three short years, he molded these men; not against their wills, but by transforming their wills, into Apostles that would both live and die for Him – because of their deep faith in him. They would grow to love him so deeply that no price would be too great to honor, serve, follow and obey him. How in the world would he do that?

Read the whole thing.

Though we condemn Judas for betraying Jesus, in many ways we are just like him. Judas’ story shows us that we need the power of God to sustain us.

But Judas teaches us that even the the best example, the most compelling evidence, and the finest teaching—the ultimate environment for incubating faith—cannot, in and of themselves, change the human heart.

Read the whole thing.

The message of 1 Peter: “Our faith can grow stronger when we face opposition.” Check out this visual summary of 1 Peter.

See the full-size image.

This week’s Monday Music is a beloved rendition of “Deeper” and is made in tribute to all our OYC campus sites. We have great sites in State College (PA), Auburn (AL), Charleston (WV), Pullman (WA), Boone (NC) and Eugene/Corvallis (OR).

From Josh and Sean McDowell’s More Than A Carpenter:

The apostles went through the test of death to substantiate the veracity of what they were proclaiming…I grieve to find so many who lack enough conviction in their lives even to walk across the street for what they believe, much less to die for it.

It is inevitable that our personalities show themselves in ministry. While we should avoid making our personalities the center of our ministry, we should instead show Jesus’ personality.

Thus personality should touch your ministry but never torch it, just as pepper is a wonderful spice but a terrible meal. Every pastor must preach through his personality, but he must be careful not to preach his personality. Every counselor must counsel through his personality, but he must beware not to counsel his personality.

Read the whole thing.

Let’s not misinterpret what Jesus meant when he said the faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. Jesus wasn’t talking about the quantity of faith, but what the object of our faith is.

Why is it true that mustard seed faith can move mountains and uproot mulberry trees? Jesus plainly tells us. It isn’t because of the quantity of our faith but the object of our faith. If our faith is in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, then it has a great effect.

Read the whole thing.

If you have any questions visit, oneyearchallenge.org!

The populations of the world’s nations ranked in order and presented in a beautiful infographic.

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Our desire to receive a calling from the Lord when facing a big faith decision, in some ways, comes from a good place. It comes from a desire to be certain of God’s will, to not stray from obedience and to make the best decision possible.

If we should think that God calls people today through specific dreams, revelations or circumstances, we also need to assume that God’s call to us comes after a question that we ask him. A calling usually comes after a question. We may ask God “Should I move to this new place?” or “Should I marry this man or this woman?” or “Should I take this job?”.

Despite this we often complain that God hasn’t given us any calling or affirmation. In our circumstances, God seems silent. He hasn’t spoken us in our dreams. No voice or instruction is heard. But could it be that we are asking the wrong question?

In Peter’s life he asked Jesus many questions, but one of the most profound questions was in a boat on the sea of Galilee.

‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’

While this was not an explicit question, what Peter was asking was for Jesus to reveal himself to him. The questions we often ask are very different from Peter’s.

While we expect God to accommodate our insecurities by sharing with us his secret plan, all that Peter wants is simply to know Jesus. He just wants Jesus to be revealed to him. Peter’s question is a question asked by a genuine God-seeker.

In response, he receives a calling.

‘Come,’ he said.’

God may be silent in your life today, because you are preoccupied with the wrong questions. Instead of asking God to make our circumstances clear, why not ask God to reveal Himself? Instead of asking whether you should go on a One Year Challenge, perhaps you could ask the following questions:

1. What is God’s heart for the world?
2. Am I doing everything I can to obey the Great Commission?
3. Jesus, where do you want me to meet you next?

Or we could even ask what Peter asked:

Lord if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.

The answers may vary, but the calling will be clear. That God desires us to make disciples of all nations. Don’t despair if God hasn’t made it clear yet! Maybe God has already made it clear, instead maybe we are not asking the right questions!