Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

In this devotional, we explore the universal commands in the Bible to give thanks in everything. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, "Give thanks in everything for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on God's goodness and provision. As we give thanks, we turn ourselves more to Him and step into the potential of the contentment He created us for. We also send a message to the people around us that we know who's in charge and that we trust His character. Let's take some time today to thank God for all He has done and for what we know He will do. Let's be thankful for the people in our lives and for the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Thank you for being a follower of Jesus Christ. Thank you for committing to make a difference in the lives of the people that you work with. Remember what we do because we follow Jesus Matters forever. And it starts with thanks.

Reflecting on Thanksgiving, consider the valuable connection between gratitude and contentment explored by Mike Henry Sr. in the latest Follower of One podcast. Drawing inspiration from 1 Timothy 6:6-7, he emphasizes the genuine nature of contentment, rooted in authentic thankfulness. Challenge yourself to set a goal for the holiday season—to embrace contentment by recognizing and appreciating the gifts life has bestowed upon you. To our amazing listeners, your support is the driving force behind this community. As we approach Thanksgiving, let's not just talk about gratitude but actively make a positive impact in our spheres of influence. Join us in spreading positivity and making a difference as followers of Jesus Christ. Grateful for each one of you. Stay tuned for more!

The passage for today is Matthew 17:20. It says, "He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" This verse tells us that even a small amount of faith can have a big impact. When we trust in God, He can do great things through us. We can see this in the story of the mustard seed. A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in the world. But when it is planted, it can grow into a large tree. This is because the mustard seed contains all of the information it needs to grow into a tree. In the same way, when we have faith in God, we have all of the resources we need to live a successful life. We may not be able to see the results of our faith right away, but if we keep trusting in God, He will eventually bring our plans to fruition. So don't let your faith be discouraged. Even if it is small, it is still powerful enough to move mountains. Just keep trusting in God and He will do great things through you.

Greg Frost, founder of The Well Exchange, shares the fusion of faith and business strategies. They discuss the impact of intercession coaching, inner healing, and prophetic revelation on transforming organizations. The value of prayer in business is addressed, showcasing positive testimonials. The podcast also delves into personal journeys, including military service and overcoming cancer, as well as the importance of prayer and being relational in the marketplace.

The passage for today is Mark 4:31-32. It says, "It's like a grain of mustard seed, which when sown on the ground is the smallest of all the seeds on earth. Yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." This passage is about the power of faith. Jesus is saying that even though faith may start out small, it can grow into something big. He compares faith to a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds. But when it is planted, it grows into a large plant that can provide shelter for birds. This is a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of our faith. No matter how small it may seem, it can grow into something great. We just need to plant it in the ground and water it with prayer and trust. If we do this, our faith will grow and we will be able to do great things for God. We will be able to help others and make a difference in the world. So let's not be afraid to share our faith with others. Let's plant the seeds of faith in their hearts and water them with prayer. We never know how big they might grow.

The passage for today is Mark 4:26-27. It says, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows. He knows not how." This passage is a parable about the kingdom of God. Jesus is saying that the kingdom of God is like a seed that is planted in the ground. The seed grows and sprouts, even though the farmer does not know how it happens. This parable teaches us that the kingdom of God is a mystery. We do not always understand how it works, but we can trust that God is at work in it. We can also trust that the kingdom of God will grow and spread, even when we do not see it happening. We can apply this parable to our own lives. We may not always see the results of our work, but we can trust that God is at work in us and through us. We can also trust that the kingdom of God will grow and spread, even when we do not see it happening. Let us not be discouraged if we do not see immediate results from our work. Let us continue to sow the seeds of the kingdom of God, and trust that God will bring about a harvest in his time.

The passage for today is Mark 2:17. It says, "And hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.'" This verse tells us that Jesus came to save sinners, not those who are already righteous. This means that we are all in need of Jesus, no matter how good we think we are. We can help others move one notch closer to Jesus by sharing our faith with them. We can do this by talking to them about Jesus, inviting them to church, or simply living our lives in a way that reflects His love. Let's all remember that we are all sinners and that we all need Jesus. Let's also remember that we have the opportunity to help others come to know Him. Let's not be afraid to share our faith with others and let's pray that they will be open to hearing what we have to say.

Do you ever think of yourself as belonging to Jesus? "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24 NASB Often, when I memorize a passage of scripture, I often stop there in my study. I confess that until recently, I haven't thought much about this verse. Now, I'm working to memorize it. A friend once told me that to decide means to cut or cut away. She said "decide" is like "homocide. You kill all the other options." This verse says much the same thing. If I choose the Spirit I must crucify my flesh. I have such a hard time with this. I eat too many sweets and I can always come up with a better idea than working out. These are areas where my flesh and it's passions and desires aren't crucified. Does that mean I don't belong to Christ Jesus? I don't think so. I have in so many other areas. We're all works in progress. This side of heaven, there is always some degree of error. I'm grateful for that. Verses 25 and 26 seem to also be speaking to this same issue. Today, thank God for the victories you have already won. If you've been a Christian more than a day, there are areas of your life where you have crucified the flesh. Thank God for those. Focus on the gain. The gap will always be with us. Ask God to help you close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Then, take part in a community where you can help and be helped. Check out https://community.followerofone.org. This is an online community where we concentrate on helping one another move one notch closer to Jesus. Community is the habit that can strengthen all of us. Why not join us there. Remember, what we do because we follow Jesus matters forever.

What does it mean to be really free, or to be free indeed? "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36 ESV This means that we have the freedom to choose our own path and make our own decisions. We are not bound by the expectations of others or by the circumstances of our lives. We are free to live our lives for God and to make a difference in the world. We can exercise this freedom by taking every thought captive and choosing to obey God. We can also choose to serve others and to love our enemies. When we do these things, we are walking in the freedom that Jesus has given us. We are free indeed when we trust Jesus and follow him. We are no longer slaves to sin or to the world. We are free to live our lives for God and to make a difference in the world.

What would you do if you knew you couldn't lose? "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24 NASB I also talked about this in Episode 93: How to Live Your Eternal Life Now. Check it out.