Devotional from John Piper: The Best form of slavery.

1 Peter 2:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

Colossians 3:24 (NIV)

²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Ephesians 6:6 (NIV)

⁶ Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

Douglas Jacoby short lesson: In this talk (16 mins), Douglas shares 6 components of a Christian response to Covid-19. While this particular coronavirus is certainly dangerous, and should be taken seriously, how we respond spiritually to the threat is even more important. There are things, from a biblical point of view, that are more important than surviving a pandemic.

What can the early church teach about the virus? The early church was no stranger to plagues, epidemics, and mass hysteria. In fact, according to both Christian and also non-Christian accounts, one of the main catalysts for the church’s explosive growth in its early years was how Christians navigated disease, suffering, and death.

Great reads and a good lens to look through at modern media.

Tracing Truth in This Year’s Oscar Films

3 Thought-Provoking New Christian Documentaries

Below is a sermon series on putting guilt and shame in their proper place….

Click here to view the full series.

https://liferotp.com/sermons/2020/01/friend-or-foe-1

Also, check out the following link

10 things you should know about shame…

Our times with God are important. Making space for God in your life is not a disciple default, it is a decision, commitment and habit. Following a reading plan can help you jump back into communion with the Father!

http://pastorgabehughes.blogspot.com/2019/11/40-day-bible-reading-plan-overview-of.html

Gospel Progress in Acts. Follow the spread of the gospel from the church fathers. The gospel is still spreading today.

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If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

Nelson Mandela

There are so many great language learning resources out there these days, specifically through the internet. If you are thinking of taking the One Year Challenge, it may be to a place where English is not the local language and not even commonly used!

Of course, because of English’s wide usage, and the by the Spirit’s guiding, you can still be used. However, learning the local language can go a long ways in being effective and simply navigating the daily ins and outs!

Chinese: https://www.chinesezerotohero.com/ ……….. https://mandarincorner.org/ ………. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSDFz1DafnE ………..

Brazil (Portuguese): http://www.easyportuguese.com/ ……… https://www.fluentin3months.com/free-online-portuguese-language-…….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjq5eJn530Y ……….

Spanish: http://index-of.es/Varios-2/Spanish%20Essentials%20For%20Dummies.pdf ………. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7-nb1wlnyA……

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it can give you an idea of learning techniques and resources. Learning a new language will certainly enrich your perspective in life. And there is no better way than living in the country that speaks that language!

If you are thinking of taking the One Year Challenge, the gospel comes first. Learning a language can be a bonus but also a benefit to the mission!

The 72 hour rule: https://renew.org/demo-post-03-copy/

7 Strategies for time management: https://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/7-essential-time-management-strategies/

Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week.
- Charles Richards

^“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

Colossians 4:5 (NIV)

This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:16  (NIV)

https://bemadiscipleship.com/session1?offset=1484226000507

For the commuter, the scholar, the podcaster, the student and the hesitant to approach the Old Testament… The Bema Podcast.

This podcast takes you section by section through the OT and attempts to look at the text through a more fitting viewpoint culturally (Eastern eyes).

It pairs nicely with your personal reading of the OT and the questions that come as you encounter complex people and situations in the text.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

The law, prophets, and the psalms are the scriptures Jesus was referring to, and we should do what we can to receive that encouragement and hope they give!

Here is a list of several quotes from missionaries.

If you’re thinking of taking the One Year Challenge, hearing the stories of those who have been on missions for God can both help you prepare and inspire you to go. Take a look!