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Jesus Wants You to Work Yourself Out of a Job
More than 10 years ago I began mentoring a Slavic guy named Alex. He introduced me to another Russian-speaking guy, also named Alex. They’ve become like sons. This week we…
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Discipleship Requires a Financial Investment
When I was preaching in Florida last month I invited eight guys I’ve mentored to a special dinner. I encouraged them and listened to their prayer requests, and then we…
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Five Effective Ways to Mentor Others
When Jesus made disciples, He rarely did it with a lecture. He invested personal time. Mark 3:14 says Jesus “appointed twelve, so that they WOULD BE WITH HIM and that…
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How to Respond When a Disciple Pulls Away
Your disciples will go through hard times. They will face tests, trials and temptations. They will have freak-out moments. They may even pull away from you because they are discouraged.…
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Learn the Secret of Consistency in Discipleship
Last week we talked about the importance of study in your spiritual growth. But you don’t have to read 3 books a week and pray for 2 hours a day…
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You Can Dig for Gold in God’s Word
If you want to find precious wisdom when you study the Bible, you must dig for it. Proverbs 2:4-5 says if you search for wisdom “as for hidden treasures” you…
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Don’t Be a Lazy Disciple—Learn to Study
Paul was a master teacher of God’s Word, and he was always reading. Toward the end of his life he told Timothy: “When you come bring the cloak which I…
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Every Leader Spends Time in the War Zone
God trains leaders, and the process can be painful. During David’s long journey to become king, he ended up in a town called Ziklag. Scholars aren’t sure where this place…
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Do Your Want the Disciple John’s Closeness With God?
The apostle John is considered Jesus’ closest disciple. He was in Jesus’ inner circle with Peter and James. During the Last Supper, John sat next to Jesus and leaned His…
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When You Mentor Someone, Give Your All
Paul gave his disciples 100% of his life. He told the Ephesians that he invested in them “night and day for a period of three years” (Acts 20:31). He told…
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Help Your Disciples See Their Full Potential
Gideon was a timid man who struggled with inferiority. But the angel of the Lord came to him and said: “God is with you, O mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12, MSG).…
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Make the Most of Each Moment With Your Disciples
Eight years ago this week I performed the wedding of a young couple, Steven and Brandy. Steven has been like a son to me since I began mentoring him in…
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Disciples Don’t Quit When Things Get Tough
I love my ministry work, but it’s not easy. Part of my job involves trusting God to provide funds to pay for overseas missions projects. God has provided miraculously in…
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Discipleship Should Be Fun, Not Religious
Last weekend I hosted a retreat in my home for 16 guys. They came from 9 states and one foreign country. For three days we studied the Bible, prayed for…
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God Will Multiply Your Influence in Others
David began his career as a leader by killing Goliath. But he faced the Philistines again near the end of his life when his physical strength was failing. This time…
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Be Strong in the Word and the Spirit
God gave us two legs so we can walk with balance. In our spiritual journey we also have two legs: (1) the Word of God, and (2) the Holy Spirit.…
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Don’t Be a Fake Mentor
I’ve been going through a tough season. My elderly mother is very weak, and I know her death is imminent. Then last week my mother-in-law died unexpectedly. On top of…
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Don’t Resist Correction—You Need It!
When I was in college, a ministry leader rebuked me for being timid when I got behind a microphone. All he said was, “Come on, Lee! Don’t be shy! Preach…
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Good Mentors Know How to Encourage
I recently traveled to the city of Cali, Colombia. While there I prayed for a guy named Luis who was abandoned by his father at a young age. I realized…
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Don’t Be Shy—Let God Turn Up Your Volume!
Many Christians think preaching is only for eloquent communicators. Or they think they are disqualified from preaching because of their past sins, flaws or weaknesses. Jeremiah felt inadequate as a…
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Your Disciples Should Stand on Your Shoulders
Recently I did a men’s retreat in Iceland, and two guys I’ve mentored joined me. Mike came from Canada and Alex from Romania. I asked both guys to speak and…
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How Unstable Peter Became a Disciple-Maker
When Peter began following Jesus, he was unstable and insecure. Yet Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter—“rock”—because He saw his potential. Peter failed miserably and denied Jesus. But…
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God’s Word Is Like a Spinal Column
I call Psalm 119 the “spinal column of the Bible” because it’s in the center of the book. It’s a very unusual passage. It’s the longest chapter in the Bible,…
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Don’t Get Caught in the Trap of Comparison
Most of my life I’ve struggled with inferiority. I compared myself to other men and felt I didn’t measure up—either because of wealth, success, physique or athletic ability. Then when…