January 1, 2018 Monday

41   Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42   Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John— but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). 43   The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44   Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. 45   Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46  “ Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. 47   As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel— a man of complete integrity.” 48  “ How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” 49   Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God— the King of Israel!” 50   Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51   Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

John 1:41-51 NLT

            There are so many books talking about how to know if your congregation is healthy or not or how you can grow what you already have.  There are endless plans and strategies that have helped other congregations and so assumed they will be helpful to every congregation.

            Denominations have their own strategies mostly based on the success of other denominations or growing congregations.  Each congregation is encouraged to follow these plans that have been successful in other places.

            But what works at Bethsaida may not work in Nazareth!  Each community and even each congregation in each community will be radically different not only in the

gifts of its congregation but also in the needs of their community.

            In this scripture we are shown God’s strategies for growing disciples and strong congregations.  It really is very simple and begins with the proclamation “Come, follow me.”  We are called not to follow our denomination or even our congregation but to follow Jesus!  As we follow Jesus we are strengthened and given the gifts we need to take the second step.

            As we grow in Jesus we can call others to Jesus buy calling them to “Come and see for yourself,”.  We do not have to ‘save” them or convince them but we only have to call them to come and meet Jesus themselves trusting in God to reveal Himself to them and bring new life to them.

            Days continue to be rough.  Getting behind in everything and unable to do much.  Very discouraging but trust my Lord will see me through and that He has a plan for me and my family.