JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Mark 1:17.
Jesus said to Simon and his brother Andrew as they were casting a net into the lake, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.
Jesus was inviting these two men into a new way of life that involved following Him. For Simon and Andrew, following Jesus turned them from fishermen into evangelists. Their witness for Jesus would convince others to follow Jesus too.
Following Jesus may lead us to a career change, but then again, maybe not. What is important about accepting His invitation is that we are coming into a relationship with Jesus that gives us peace with God and a higher purpose. So, when Jesus comes to us and says, “Follow me”, that is a good time to heed the call.
The invitation of Jesus reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In our Relationship-Building Principles, we are examining some of the ways Jesus’ followers can be effective witnesses for the Gospel.
One way is the Invitational approach.
In our enthusiasm of being a follower of Jesus, we are motivated to invite others to experience new life in Christ too.
In John chapter 4 of the Bible, there was a woman at the well, who had an encounter with Jesus. She was living in immorality, but Jesus did not condemn her. Instead, He invited her to taste the living water of His grace.
She, in turn, went back to her Samaritan village to say to her people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I did. Could this be the Christ?” The Bible says they came out of the town and made their way toward him. Many of them became followers of Jesus too.
Jesus extends this invitation: “Come, follow me.” Revelation 22:17 says, “Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
Taking the invitational approach of sharing the Gospel is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
