What challenges do you want to conquer in 2021?
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12
With the new Year just around the corner, most people are prioritizing their resolutions based on what challenges they want to conquer, what changes they plan to make, and where they would like to travel. Though these priorities can be deemed as important, OneHope would like to encourage you to think more intentionally about prioritizing living missionally in the coming year.
As you think about your plans for 2021, we pray that you will see things more clearly as you focus on ways to live on mission each day. As the verse above states, God knows you completely. He knows how He created you. He created you on purpose and with purpose. Everyone has something to contribute in Kingdom advancement. Every person who has trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can use each of their unique skills, talents, and passions to make Jesus known.
Seeking to live in a manner that requires you to think of others and their need to hear the true Gospel of Jesus Christ contradicts the mindset of our consumer culture.
The world instructs us to make much of ourselves by becoming successful, by whatever standards are in place at the moment. But Christ commands His followers to make disciples.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19
Making disciples is not a task that happens instantaneously. Making Jesus known requires focus. When we focus on Jesus, there is little time to focus on self. This simplifies the task of making much of Jesus in our own lives and denying selfish desires in order to seek Him above everything else (Mark 8:34-35). Because we know the beauty that lies in the redemption that has been extended to us through Christ, we should desire to share this Good news with everyone we encounter, everywhere we go.
Throughout scripture we see that God prioritizes missional living. Putting the needs of others above self is a continuous theme, especially Jesus’ coming to earth to pay the debt for the sins of man. To articulate it simply: if missional living matters to God, it should matter to us.
When we focus on Jesus Christ we gain clarity of thought. He has commanded His followers to go and tell of His wondrous love and His redeeming grace. Sharing the Gospel of Christ doesn’t need to be intimidating or overcomplicated. Through conversation with others you will find common ground. Start there; then you can share the story of how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. Building relationships is essential. You may not have time to share all you hoped in one encounter. Be willing to be the one who plants the seed, and trust that the Lord will send another person to water it (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
rather than allowing another year to come and go, having no recollection of being part of something Kingdom oriented, allow the focus of this coming year to center around how you can serve missionally.
There is really no better time like the present to start living on mission. It is easy to allow excuses to keep you from serving intentionally. But in reality, those excuses should become the very reasons you choose to serve.
Excuse: I can’t go on mission right now because my children are too young.
Reason: I serve because I want my children to learn to prioritize missions in their own lives.
Excuse: I am too old to go anywhere.
Reason: I want to lead a life of legacy. I want to serve as long as I can in order to share the Gospel with everyone I encounter.
Excuse: I can’t go on mission because I have health issues.
Reason: I can’t leave the state or country right now, but I can minister to my neighbors and make a difference in my community.
Excuse: I’m too busy to serve on mission right now.
Reason: I need to serve on mission to regain focus on what matters most because my schedule is full of tasks that aren’t Kingdom oriented.
When you behold Christ and have an understanding of what He has accomplished on your behalf, your focus shifts. Perfect 2021 focus is realized when you begin to prioritize what matters to Jesus Christ: making much of Him in our lives and proclaiming His Good news to everyone.
As 2021 draws near, choose to focus clearly on the mission Christ has set before you. Understand that you have a difference to make and He has uniquely equipped you for each task He entrusts to you. When you are tempted to make excuses for not living on mission, determine within your heart to remain focused.
The next several pages outline numerous opportunities for you to serve alongside OneHope ministry partners. Prayerfully consider how you should serve on mission in the coming year and how you can maintain 2021 focus as you seek ways to advance the Kingdom of God, both locally and globally.
As you think about your plans for 2021, we pray that you will see things more clearly as you focus on ways to live on mission each day. As the verse above states, God knows you completely. He knows how He created you. He created you on purpose and with purpose. Everyone has something to contribute in Kingdom advancement. Every person who has trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can use each of their unique skills, talents, and passions to make Jesus known.
Seeking to live in a manner that requires you to think of others and their need to hear the true Gospel of Jesus Christ contradicts the mindset of our consumer culture.
The world instructs us to make much of ourselves by becoming successful, by whatever standards are in place at the moment. But Christ commands His followers to make disciples.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19
Making disciples is not a task that happens instantaneously. Making Jesus known requires focus. When we focus on Jesus, there is little time to focus on self. This simplifies the task of making much of Jesus in our own lives and denying selfish desires in order to seek Him above everything else (Mark 8:34-35). Because we know the beauty that lies in the redemption that has been extended to us through Christ, we should desire to share this Good news with everyone we encounter, everywhere we go.
Throughout scripture we see that God prioritizes missional living. Putting the needs of others above self is a continuous theme, especially Jesus’ coming to earth to pay the debt for the sins of man. To articulate it simply: if missional living matters to God, it should matter to us.
When we focus on Jesus Christ we gain clarity of thought. He has commanded His followers to go and tell of His wondrous love and His redeeming grace. Sharing the Gospel of Christ doesn’t need to be intimidating or overcomplicated. Through conversation with others you will find common ground. Start there; then you can share the story of how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. Building relationships is essential. You may not have time to share all you hoped in one encounter. Be willing to be the one who plants the seed, and trust that the Lord will send another person to water it (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
rather than allowing another year to come and go, having no recollection of being part of something Kingdom oriented, allow the focus of this coming year to center around how you can serve missionally.
There is really no better time like the present to start living on mission. It is easy to allow excuses to keep you from serving intentionally. But in reality, those excuses should become the very reasons you choose to serve.
Excuse: I can’t go on mission right now because my children are too young.
Reason: I serve because I want my children to learn to prioritize missions in their own lives.
Excuse: I am too old to go anywhere.
Reason: I want to lead a life of legacy. I want to serve as long as I can in order to share the Gospel with everyone I encounter.
Excuse: I can’t go on mission because I have health issues.
Reason: I can’t leave the state or country right now, but I can minister to my neighbors and make a difference in my community.
Excuse: I’m too busy to serve on mission right now.
Reason: I need to serve on mission to regain focus on what matters most because my schedule is full of tasks that aren’t Kingdom oriented.
When you behold Christ and have an understanding of what He has accomplished on your behalf, your focus shifts. Perfect 2021 focus is realized when you begin to prioritize what matters to Jesus Christ: making much of Him in our lives and proclaiming His Good news to everyone.
As 2021 draws near, choose to focus clearly on the mission Christ has set before you. Understand that you have a difference to make and He has uniquely equipped you for each task He entrusts to you. When you are tempted to make excuses for not living on mission, determine within your heart to remain focused.
The next several pages outline numerous opportunities for you to serve alongside OneHope ministry partners. Prayerfully consider how you should serve on mission in the coming year and how you can maintain 2021 focus as you seek ways to advance the Kingdom of God, both locally and globally.
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