A disciple is a disciple maker.
Francis ChanRead
We have control over our prayer life, our relationship with Jesus.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes our ability to shape our spiritual experiences and deepen our connection with Jesus through prayer.
Francis Chan highlights the significance of personal agency in developing one’s spiritual life, particularly in the context of prayer and one’s relationship with Jesus. The essence of the quote suggests that while external circumstances may influence our faith, we possess the autonomy to nurture and enhance our connection to the divine through intentional prayer and commitment.
In practice
In a sermon on deepening one's faith, this quote could be used to reinforce the importance of personal prayer.
A disciple is a disciple maker.
Don't fall into the trap of studying the Bible without doing what it says.
Our God listens to us. Our God is a living God. He's not a block of wood you made up that's not going to answer you. My God listens to me. He answers me.
...I don't have to worry about not meeting His expectations. God will ensure my success in accordance with His plan, not mine.
People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.
What evidence do you have that you know Jesus?
The weekend break had begun with the usual resentment and had continued with half-repressed ill humour. It was, of course, his fault. He had been more ready to hurt his wife's feelings and deprive his daughter than inconvenience a pub bar full of strangers. He wished there could be one memory of his dead child which wasn't tainted with guilt and regret.
Texting has definitely improved the communication between the deaf and hearing communities, but it shouldn't be... a substitute for learning the language to really connect with someone, especially someone you want to date or have a relationship with.
Do you ever wonder whether people would like you more or less if they could see inside you? But I always wonder about that. If people could see me the way I see myself—if they could live in my memories—would anyone, anyone, love me?
The key to fostering connection in the face of a 'no' is always hearing 'yes' to something else.
Hospitality is gold in this City; you have to be clever to figure out how to be welcoming and defensive at the same time. When to love something and when to quit. If you don't know how, you can end up out of control or controlled by some outside thing like that hard case last winter.
This is something caregivers have to understand: You have to ask for help. You have to realize that you deserve to ask for help. Because you need to keep on working on your own life.
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