Exponential Impact

“…for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” -Romans 10:13-15

It’s true that you can make a big difference with your life! However, you can make an exceptionally bigger impact by stepping into your sacred responsibility to be a sender! How will people ever hear the Good News unless someone sends others to preach that news (v.15).

Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. He then told us to pray for workers to be sent out (Matthew 9:37-38). When you focus exclusively on what you can personally do and the difference you can make on your own, your impact is limited. When you become a sender, your life can have exponential impact!

How can we be senders in the course of everyday living for Jesus?

First, you can raise up the next generation. Children in your own home or extended family are your first ministry, but there are young adults, kids, and students all around us. Teach them to love and live for Jesus! They will grow up and take the Gospel everywhere they go for the rest of their lives. Send them prayerfully!

Then, help others discover their calling as a full-time minister! Some people may serve in marketplace ministry through their business while others serve on the missionary field or in the local church. However, we are all called to serve and every day is a new opportunity to live out that calling. Sending people into ministry multiples Kingdom leaders! Send them purposefully!

Finally, helping send others to start new churches, missions outposts, and worship experiences or expressions helps advance God’s work in the world! When you help establish a new lighthouse for the Gospel, it can shine for years, decades, and often for generations to come! Send them passionately!

There are many ways to be a sender, but until you take on that identify and start engaging in the work, the scope of your impact will be limited to what you can personally do. You can accomplish a lot, but it’s nothing compared to what we can do together! Become a sender of others and watch how God can multiply your impact for His glory!

Right on?

Read/listen to Romans chapters 9-11

Check out this week's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email

Increase Your Sense of Security

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:37-39

At any given time, you can lose something of great value or someone you care deeply about. Almost anything in life can be taken from you without warning. Your health can be taken, your job and finances can be lost or diminished, your friends and family can leave or pass away, and even your life can end abruptly. All these changes can happen without notice.

We don’t tend to dwell on this disappointing reality on an average day, but when we experience loss, it rips away our illusion of safety. Loss of people we love or other things we value can significantly decrease our sense of security.

Peace of mind is important, but if it's rocked by fluctuating circumstances that change rapidly, where can you go to find lasting peace? How can you feel more secure and safe when life leaves you feeling anything but secure?

God’s Word tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God! When everything else in life can be removed, God is immovable and His love for you is unfailing!

An increased sense of security comes after we adjust our expectations and realize that there is only one unshakable foundation. Nearly everything you enjoy on earth can be shaken or taken, but God’s love is the unshakable foundation you can build your life upon!

When your sense of safety and security are evaporating with your most recent loss, reflect on the love of Christ that can never be taken from you! He can comfort you in loss and accelerate the joy in times of gain and growth. God can provide what nobody and nothing else can give. He can follow-through on the promise to always be there for you!

Build your life on the amazing and ever-present love of God!

Right on?

Read/listen to Romans chapters 6-8

Check out today's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email

Beating Fear of Death & Punishment

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” -Romans 5:8-10

How do you defeat fear of death and God’s punishment? We start by thinking about how spiritually rebellious, lawless, and hopeless we were before Jesus intervened. We were loved while we were in our sins (v.8), not just after we were forgiven and cleaned up. When we were at our worst, God’s love was at it’s best!

Jesus gave His life so you could be forgiven and reconciled to the Father. If God did all that for us while we were in our sin, how much more (v.10) will He save us eternally! You don’t need to fear death when you are in Christ because while you lived He was loving toward you despite your sin. How much more will He be there to save and help you now that you are for Him and not against Him?

If we have been saved, how do we then walk in that assurance instead of living under the fear of God’s punishment? We trust in the authority of God’s written Word. He tells us clearly what He thinks about us and what is required to be saved. He is not trying to confuse us. We also can see the fruit of a changed life through self-examination. We are told that if we love Him, we will obey Him. Are you obeying Him and walking in His love and Spirit? We are still a work in progress, but we are no longer who we used to be because of Jesus! The Holy Spirit inside us also brings assurance and peace in His presence.

Our feelings can deceive us and fear is a powerful feeling. Living in fear of death and God’s punishment is a struggle that steals your peace and robs you of being fully present in the moment. Consider the depth of God’s love for you when you were on the outside and now you have been brought inside the family of God (John 1:12-13). How much more will we be saved now that we are apart of God’s family! Consider the power of that kind of everlasting love! God’s love drives away fear (1 John 4:18), so focus on His perfect love for you and chase those fears out of your mind!

Right on?

Read/listen to Romans chapters 3-5

Check out today's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email