My God is Awesome!!! Update from Umar

Glory to God in the highest!!! It is with joy that I write to inform you that I have been discharged from the hospital the second time. Now my wife drives me to the hospital daily for dressing.

As you are aware, is now six months since I fall sick with diabetes and threat of amputation. But in answers to prayers, my diabetes is now under control (usually the reading is mostly 89 to 110). As if that is not enough, the threat of amputating my leg is no longer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Obviously, God still has some work for the two legs. I am deeply grateful.

My wound is almost completely healed and about ready for grafting perhaps in few weeks the Lord willing. Likewise, the external fixtures on my leg meant for the fracture I sustained, is now on its tenth week and should be remove in the next three weeks (I can’t wait).

Needless to say, staying in private hospital for this long has been very expensive. Can you believe, for these six months (December 25 to May 7) we were given a bill of ($9,000) nine thousand dollars. And in God’s mercy He laid it on the heart of my church leaders to set aside a Sunday when second offering was collected to offset the bill. The second offering was generously collected in about 48 churches and as God will have it close to seven thousand dollars was realized ($7,000). However, I still need to see a vascular surgeon at some point, who will check my leg to ensure there is a good blood flow. If not, I may still need a surgery in the future.

Moreover, our four children have all gone back to school after their holiday. My wife and I were actually wondering how to pay their school fees when elders of church said “we have taking care of that”. How gracious and thoughtful of them.

Finally, a physiotherapist is helping learn how to walk. The process is painful, so am very slow. But guess what?! I am determined to take the bull by the horn and walk to the church, take up the pulpit and preach this Sunday on a sitting position.

God is good all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your prayers and friendship. Will love to hear from you when you get a chance. And please thank God for giving me my wife, she is a treasure!!

Are You Answering the Call?

Through the original call to the disciples we have all been commissioned to "make disciples." Although Jesus did not present this as a suggestion to only those who were really serious about His kingdom, many of us today see making disciples as an option:

• "I'm too busy"
• "I don't feel qualified"
• "What if they have problems I don't know how to address"
• "It is not my gift - it is just not my thing"
• "I am already involved in ministry"

What thoughts do you have when you think about discipling someone?

We asked Dennie a couple of questions about this topic - Read more here...

Why should we make a priority of discipling?

Dennie:

God's mission and mandate to "make disciples" is given to all believers. Jesus' last instructions before his ascension into heaven was not given as an option. We are to go forth in obedience under Jesus' authority and impart God's commands to others. Jesus role-modeled His mission in His earthly existence. Although he discipled in large groups, the majority of his ministry was directed toward twelve men for three years and within this group, he focused on an inner circle of just three. His role-modeling was then reproduced in His apostles and disciples: Barnabus discipled Paul; Paul discipled Titus, Timothy, and the Ephesian elders.

The scriptural blueprint and the model to facilitate changed lives is intimate discipleship. God can certainly use large and small group discipleship to affect change, but the most significant changes generally take place in one-on-one, accountability relationships.

What are some of the common reasons people share why they aren't involved in discipling?

Dennie: Here are the top five most common responses I hear from people.

1. I'm not equipped

This sense of inadequacy creates fear of sharing one's life with someone else. There is often a fear that because you won't know how to relate to their circumstance and therefore, won't know what to say. Paul tells us that God "...comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction." (2 Cor. 1:4) Even though we have never experienced the same situation. We can't limit ourselves to the experience. What relates us ALL together is the pain and suffering we each have experienced. We are united by pointing people to the comfort Christ can offer in the midst of pain. You should not limit God working in his use of us to only limit it to our experience.

God says you're inadequate and that He makes you adequate. (2 Cor 3:5-6) If you have been discipled you are equipped. There are tools available to you and other disciplers who can coach you; there is a framework around you.

2. Too frightening, too risky

God told Joshua "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

God says we are not to be frightened. In Ps. 56:4 David shares his perspective on fear: "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

We are often relying on self instead of relying on God.You will often need to move out of your comfort zone and walk by faith and not by sight.

3. It's not my gift

Making disciples is a mandate given to all believers and is a command not an option. You may have gifts that enhance your ability to disciple but you are not limited in discipling by your unique spiritual gifts.

4. I'm too busy-my focus is on my schedule, my family and my work

The command to "make disciples" would not be given if it would cause you to violate other biblical priorities. What are you spending time on? What are your priorities besides God's priorities? Our schedules are often filled with activities that build idols - things that may be good things but things that are not God's priorities. You may need to take the time to examine you're your priorities are and whether they are really God's priority for your life.

5. I don't want to get involved or be inconvenienced.

In reality that says "I don't care about those that are suffering around me." God sees love as more important than many other gifts and activities. You can do a lot of things, but if you fail to love "it profits me nothing." (1 Cor 13:1-3)

Our lack of love may be an evidence of a hardened Heart in response to the needy around us. The overarching reason is often simply our selfishness.

Do women have a unique role in "making disciples?"

Dennie: God specifically gives the older women a mission and mandate in Titus 2: train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Before your CTO discipler got involved in your life, how many of you were mentored by an older woman? In America today, the older women have largely rejected this mandate, leaving destruction of marriages and families in the Church in the wake of their apathy, unconcern and lack of involvement in the lives of the young women. Since all believers are commanded to go and make disciples, the mantle of the Titus 2 mandate has fallen on all women. You must take up the mantle! There is always someone younger than you in the Body of Christ to be encouraged to love her husband, her children, etc

The scriptural blueprint and the model of discipleship is in a intimate relationship which is done through the context of time, relationship, and sacrifice.

Paul modeled this with the believers in Thessalonica: "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Thess. 2:8). We encourage you to answer "the call to make disciples!" We have provided a number of tools and resources to assist you in discipling others in our study, The Christian: Called to Disciple available in the "discipling tools" section of our webpage.

Click here to download "Intimate Discipleship"

and learn more about God's call on your life

to make disciples.